UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Project Coordinator Support Consultant - GCF Readiness Project

Result of ServiceUNEP FI requires a Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”: • Assist the Project Coordinator for all kinds of financial and project management related activities including liaison with different government agencies/UNEPFI and other key stakeholders, as directed; • Draft the terms of reference and works/products requirements/specifications and support the identification, selection, and recruitment of consultants; • Provide support with procurement processes, including updating the procurement plan (if required), coordinating review panels, preparing long/shortlisting score-chart and contributing to shortlisting and logistical support, contacting candidates to coordinate testing and interviews, finalizing associated minutes and desk reviews, preparing requests for contracts /amendments as needed. • Assist in the timely issuance of contracts and assurance of other eligible entitlements of the project's personnel, experts, and consultants by preparing recruitment plans • Assist with reviewing deliverables and processing payments from technical consultants upon the final approval of the Project Coordinator and the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region • Review accuracy of requests for payment from vendors, completeness of supporting documents, obtain clearances, and ensure timely processing of payment; • Assist the Project Coordinator in ensuring project outputs/activities/deliverables are aligned with the project documents; • Provide support with the follow up the technical/non-technical products that will be delivered by various consultants and internal counterparts meet expected deadlines and are recorded and reported accordingly; • Perform research activities such as literature review and synthesis, contribute to the preparation of power point presentations, and gather background material for activities carried out by PCU/TT; • Draft correspondence, and prepare mailings of publications in relation to the project, as appropriate; • Maintain regular and clear communications with all event counterparts to assure preparations are made on time; • Prepare invitation letters and letters of agreement and assuring travel arrangements are adequate and all administrative tasks are properly taken care of (including follow-up on payments, if applicable). • Follow any other duties as delegated by the Project Coordinator related to the GCF Readiness implementation • Assist the Project Team for preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports to UNEP/UNEPFI and GCF The Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals” will also work as part of the UNEP FI Policy team, under the supervision of the LAC Policity Lead, and in close coordination with the Project Coordinator. Work LocationPanama City Expected duration6 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 32 years, UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition. UNEP FI's activities in in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region contribute to expand the regional sustainable finance market with the aim to attract private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments. Working on policy and regulatory developments in the LAC region provides an unique opportunity for UNEP FI’s Policy Team to consolidate its position as a leading advocate for sustainable finance globally. In addition, UNEP FI has been mandated by several Member States to support the development of policy and regulatory frameworks in the LAC region including contributing to several Multilateral Policy Platforms on Sustainable Finance. In 2022, the GCF board approved the GCF Readiness Proposal “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”. The National Designed Authority (NDA) in Panama, the Minister of Environment, has nominated UNEP to be its Delivery Partner for this proposal. UNEP FI´s is looking for a Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”. The Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals” will be under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region and the Project Coordinator. Additionally, he/she will work in with national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. The Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project in Panama will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, full time and he/she will be in Panama City, Panama. The incumbent will directly report to the UNEP Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region. UNEP FI needs a consultant Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals. The consultant will play a critical role in managing and overseeing the development of the pilot projects for the Sustainable Finance Taxonomies of Panama, working closely with the project coordinator and the technical team. This includes planning and coordinating activities, ensuring timely execution of project milestones, managing stakeholder engagement, and monitoring progress against the objectives set in the Action Plan. The purpose of this consultancy is to assist the Project Coordinator for overall project financial and operational management activities and provide technical inputs related to the project coordination of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris agreement climate change goals” whose main objective is to provide the guiding structure for the financial sector to: (1) mobilize private capital flows towards a low-emission and climate-resilient economy and; (2) strengthen the resilience of the financial system to climate-related financial risks. Specifically, this GCF Readiness in Panama will achieve its objective by executing the following Outputs: Output 1.2.1 Pre-accreditation technical assistance support for one Direct Access Entity candidate for the GCF; Output 2.4.1. Workplans and constitutive arrangements for the Taxonomy Committee and the Environmental and Social Risks Analysis Committee within the Panama’s Sustainable Finance Working Group (GTFS) established to develop and implement (1) Panama’s sustainable finance taxonomy; and (2) methodologies and tools for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related financial risks; Output 2.4.2 The sustainable finance taxonomy is developed, piloted, and endorsed by the GTFS’s Taxonomy Committee; Output 2.4.3 Framework (tool and methodologies) for identification, assessment and disclosure of climate- related financial risks and opportunities for banking and insurance sectors are developed, piloted and endorsed by the GTFS’s Environmental and Social Risks Analysis Committee; Output 2.4.4 Capacity within financial supervisors and regulators, and financial institutions is built on sustainable finance taxonomy (including green labeling of financial products and green bonds), and climate-related financial risks; Output 4.1.1: Pipeline identified and prioritization assessments. Output 4.1.2 A concept note for mainstreaming climate mitigation and adaptation in the financial sector is developed, validated by relevant stakeholders, and ready to be submitted to the GCF by Panama’s NDA and; Output 5.1.1 Lessons learned, and activities results are shared and disseminated with national and international finance sector audiences as well as the wider climate change policy community. This GCF Readiness in Panama aims to provide relevant technical assistance, based on the GTFS already established governance structure and identified priorities. The GTFS includes the participation of the 95% of Panama’s financial sector and its main objective is to turn Panama into a sustainable finance center. Overall, the GTFS identified the following priorities: (1) develop and implement a national sustainable finance taxonomy; (2) address climate-related and nature-related financial risks; (3) enhance green investments and (4) publicly disseminate environmental information. Considering these four priorities, the GTFS is composed of four committees (Taxonomy Committee, Environmental and Social Risk Analysis Committee, Investments Committee, Environmental Public information Committee) with the Stock Exchange acting as its secretariat. This GCF Readiness in Panama hence builds upon the existing engagement and commitment from the Panama’s financial sector, strengthening existing governance structures, under the GTFS, and ensuring the transfer of international methodologies and best practices, adjusted to the local context and capacities, to drive sustainable finance in the country. The main beneficiaries of this GCF Readiness in Panama are the private financial institutions in Panama (banks, insurers, and investors) and their financial supervisors and regulators (Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP), Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance of Panama (SSRP), and Superintendency of the Securities Market (SMV)). Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks: • Assist the Project Coordinator for all kinds of financial and project management related activities including liaison with different government agencies/UNEPFI and other key stakeholders, as directed; • Draft the terms of reference and works/products requirements/specifications and support the identification, selection, and recruitment of consultants; • Provide support with procurement processes, including updating the procurement plan (if required), coordinating review panels, preparing long/shortlisting score-chart and contributing to shortlisting and logistical support, contacting candidates to coordinate testing and interviews, finalizing associated minutes and desk reviews, preparing requests for contracts /amendments as needed. • Assist in the timely issuance of contracts and assurance of other eligible entitlements of the project's personnel, experts, and consultants by preparing recruitment plans • Assist with reviewing deliverables and processing payments from technical consultants upon the final approval of the Project Coordinator and the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region • Review accuracy of requests for payment from vendors, completeness of supporting documents, obtain clearances, and ensure timely processing of payment; • Assist the Project Coordinator in ensuring project outputs/activities/deliverables are aligned with the project documents; • Provide support with the follow up the technical/non-technical products that will be delivered by various consultants and internal counterparts meet expected deadlines and are recorded and reported accordingly; • Perform research activities such as literature review and synthesis, contribute to the preparation of power point presentations, and gather background material for activities carried out by PCU/TT; • Draft correspondence, and prepare mailings of publications in relation to the project, as appropriate; • Maintain regular and clear communications with all event counterparts to assure preparations are made on time; • Prepare invitation letters and letters of agreement and assuring travel arrangements are adequate and all administrative tasks are properly taken care of (including follow-up on payments, if applicable). • Follow any other duties as delegated by the Project Coordinator related to the GCF Readiness implementation • Assist the Project Team for preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports to UNEP/UNEPFI and GCF Outputs and Deliverables: The Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals” will also work as part of the UNEP FI Policy team, under the supervision of the LAC Policity Lead, and in close coordination with the Project Coordinator to perform the following activities: • Inception Report – Provides the initial framework for the pilot, supporting project planning and coordination. • Initial Diagnosis of the Financial Sector – Assesses the alignment of financial institutions with the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. • Pilot Test Results Report for Banks – Evaluates the taxonomy's application in the banking sector, identifying barriers, opportunities, and lessons learned. • Pilot Test Results Report for Insurance Companies – Assesses the taxonomy’s impact and applicability in the insurance sector, highlighting areas for improvement. • Pilot Test Results Report for Bond Issuers – Analyzes the taxonomy’s implementation among issuers and its alignment with capital markets. • Gap Analysis and Action Plan with Recommendations – Compares current practices with taxonomy requirements and proposes specific actions to close gaps. • Implementation Guidance for the bond issuers – Provides detailed guidelines to facilitate the taxonomy’s adoption by financial actors. • Technical Guide for Applying the Taxonomy Tool – Offers a manual on using the taxonomy classification tool for sustainable assets in the financial sector. • Training Workshop Report for Banks – Summarizes the training session, including methodology, participants, content, and impact assessment. • Training Workshop Report for Insurance Companies – Documents the outcomes of the training workshop for the insurance sector. • Training Workshop Report for Issuers – Evaluates the training provided to issuers, highlighting key takeaways and recommendations. • Final Report on Results and Recommendations – Summarizes key findings, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations for adopting the taxonomy in the financial sector. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and will be reporting directly to the Programme Officer responsible for LAC Policy. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, business administration, political science, engineering, or other related studies is required. Professional experience: At least three (3) years of professional experience in activities involving project management in UN-related projects, national or local government entities, international development organizations/reputed multinational organizations in Panama is required. At least one (1) year of experience in policy-oriented work in the areas of climate change, environment, and/or natural resources in Panama is required. LanguagesLanguages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluent in Spanish is required. Additional InformationSpecial skills/Knowledge: • Proficiency in using Microsoft Package (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) collaborative platforms (i.e., Teams, Google Drive), and virtual meeting platforms (i.e. Webex, Zoom, etc.) is required. • Initiative, sound judgment, and capacity for teamwork • Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative; • Excellent time management, monitoring, and evaluation skills; • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback; • Creating and promoting an enabling environment for open communication; • Demonstrates initiative and self-motivation to work independently, as well as cooperative and collaborative spirit to work in a team; • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; • Ability to manage conflict; • Demonstrated informed and transparent decision-making • Experience in project management, client communication and policy analysis. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.