UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Senior Advisor

Result of ServiceTo engage the members and other key stakeholders UNEP FI and advise the governance bodies, ensuring a good understanding of the preferences of members and the niche in the sustainable finance landscape that initiatives should occupy. Supporting the decision making of the governance bodies and the reaching of consensus through a time of re-setting of strategy. UNEP FI understands the preferences and needs of members, in particular the Globally Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs), and the ways in which, uniquely, initiatives can help meet such needs. As a result UNEP FI is able to retain a reasonable number of GSIBS in its ranks. Secretariat is more effective in its planning and management. Members feel more consulted and listened to, including members’ senior executive staff beyond sustainability teams. Competing interests and priorities are balanced, facilitating consensus building. Future strategic direction of initiatives meets members’ needs in supporting their transition to a net zero economy. Governance bodies are assisted through crisis management and scenario planning. External relationships with key stakeholders are better managed. UNEP FI has an effective spokesperson that can speak with media and at conferences and events and conduct high-level engagements. The communications strategy is informed and improved through bringing a synthesis of member interests. Work LocationWorking remotely Expected duration3 months 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 carries out its mission to help the financial industry align with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and with that take on the crucial role it must play in achieving a sustainable future. UNEP FI launched the Principles for Responsible Banking in 2019 as the foremost sustainability framework for the industry. More than 350 banks have committed to aligning their portfolios with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and are implementing commitments through target setting across portfolios. Climate targets are a significant area of impact for the majority of portfolios. Many PRB signatories are therefore setting targets to align lending and investment portfolios with the goals of the Paris Agreement, with implementation supported under the secretariat for the industry-led, UN-convened Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). The Alliance brings together over 100 banks which are committed to aligning their lending and investment portfolios with the goals of the Paris Agreement. A strategic Senior Advisor is needed to advise UNEP FI and its governance bodies and conduct senior engagements with members and other key stakeholders. The Senior Advisor would liaise with members to gather opinions and feedback and synthesize this to advise UNEP FI on its future strategic direction. They will support the governance in facilitating consensus on key decision points during a time of re-setting of strategy, providing recommendations on the future direction. The Senior Advisor would also act as a spokesperson and inform the communications strategy. UNEP FI currently does not have the internal capacity to undertake these strategic advisory activities, and hence outside expertise is required for this purpose. Specific tasks and responsibilities: Monthly deliverables: • Advice and strategic guidance to governance bodies on future direction and key decisions, synthesizing feedback from members about their needs and priorities. • Assistance to Secretariat on planning and management of work programme. • Considerations of future scenarios given political and climate policy challenges. • Engagement with key stakeholders. • Advice and strategic guidance to the communications strategy. Acting as spokesperson as and when required. Output expectations: • Members are engaged and feel their needs are heard. • Governance bodies are better informed of member needs and priorities, in particular the Globally Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs), informing strategic decisions. • Initiatives’ future direction is steered in a way that effectively balances competing views and priorities, meeting members’ needs in supporting their transition to a net zero economy. • Secretariat is more effective in its planning and management. • UNEP FI is assisted through crisis management and scenario planning. • External relationships with key stakeholders are better managed. • UNEP FI has an effective spokesperson that can speak with media and at conferences and events and conduct high-level engagements. • The communications strategy is informed and improved through bringing a synthesis of member interests. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of and report to the Head UNEP FI. The consultant will work closely with the governance bodies. She/he will work closely with UNEP FI’s Banking & Climate leads and UNEP FI communications. Qualifications/special skillsAcademic background: A bachelor’s degree in law, business, finance, environment, sustainability, or equivalent education and experience. An advanced university degree in combination with thirteen (13) years’ of work experience may be accepted in lieu of the first level university degree. Experience: o At least fifteen (15) years’ experience ideally gained in the financial services sector, in senior roles. Sustainable finance is an advantage, as is knowledge of the banking industry. o Experience of working with the financial sector (banking, insurance and/or investment). o Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing relationships across various stakeholders. o Experience of strategy development. o Experience of media engagement. LanguagesLanguages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset. Additional InformationSkills & Knowledge: o Ability to engage senior stakeholders, knowledge of financial landscape and ability to synthesize and balance mixed feedback and a range of perspectives. o Ability to advise on strategic direction of high-profile initiatives. o Creative and enthusiastic professional with excellent communications skills, with ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. o Ability to undertake media engagement and input into crisis communications. o Knowledge of the finance industry in particular banking, sustainable finance and environmental issues is required. o Understanding of the climate crisis and the political aspects of climate change. o Highly motivated and able to work independently as well as in a team. o Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relations across diverse stakeholders in a multicultural, geographically dispersed and online environment. 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.