UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Senior Manager – Insurance & Nature

Result of ServiceThrough these services the Initiative will be able to engage a broad range of financial institutions, including commercial banks, asset managers, insurers, and multi-lateral development banks and agencies in implementing global finance sector principles to catalyze integration of sustainability into financial market practice. The frameworks UNEP FI is supporting implementation include Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) now committed to by more than 315 banks collectively holding USD 89 trillion in assets, or 50% of the global banking sector, and the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI), established 2012 by UNEP FI and today applied by one-quarter of the world’s insurers (25% of world premium). UNEP FI has an Ecosystems workstream that includes research and engagement with financial institutions on financing for a sustainable blue economy and sustainable land use and will expand its focus on sustainable finance for food systems. The services will also help promote sustainability into all aspects of the financial sector’s operations and services. Finally, the services will help the Initiative to broaden its outreach both within UNEP / UN and external to banks, insurers and investors, governments, regulators, private sector and multi-stakeholders, including supporting institutions. Work LocationWorking remotely Expected duration8 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 promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. UNEP FI needs a consultant to work in the nature team in tandem with the PSI secretariat to expanding the technical guidance on insurance and nature and engagement with the industry. • Manage the PSI Working Group for Nature and engage with PSI members and key stakeholders, including technical partners and consultative group members. • Continue to engage with PSI members across all regions and to enhance participation of working group members, ensuring diversity in terms of geography and gender. • Lead the development of technical guidance and insurance-specific approaches to nature with a focus on mainstreaming nature-related risk assessments and disclosures, integrating nature into underwriting processes and scaling opportunities for nature-positive and building resilience. • Lead the development of awareness and trainings activities on nature for PSI members across all regions, but with a specific focus on emerging markets. • Create awareness and promote activities of the PSI Working Group for Nature with other initiatives and organizations. Continue to act as a convenor of subject matter experts, technical partners, and various stakeholders to exchange and expand the body of knowledge on insurance’s ability to contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework. • Support the coordination and implementation of relevant UNEP FI insurance work programme activities and initiatives, as necessary. Specific tasks and responsibilities: o Support insurance contribution to nature-positive actions and alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF): The consultant will support advancing the four key pillars of the PSI Working Group for Nature: establishing a foundation for insurers to contribute to nature-positive outcomes and the GBF, mainstreaming nature-related risk assessments and disclosures, integrating nature considerations into insurance underwriting and risk management frameworks, and scaling nature-related opportunities to support the resource mobilization goal for nature. The consultant will facilitate the development and enhancement of technical guidance, collaborating with subject matter experts and key stakeholders to review and test practical applications. o Advancing the insurance and nature knowledge base and build capacity with the PSI membership: The role involves convening and enabling peer learning opportunities for insurers, expanding the nature and insurance knowledge base, and leading the development and delivery of training sessions and capacity-building workshops for PSI members across all regions. o Manage the PSI Working Group for Nature and continue to build working group members ship: The consultant will be responsible for preparing project plans, organize working group meetings and peer sharing sessions, engage with PSI member and key stakeholders, including technical partners and consultative group members, for participation in meetings and contribution to working group outcomes. Deliverables will include: • Deliver a report on ‘nature-related risk assessment approaches for insurance underwriting’. • Deliver a case study report for implementing recommended actions of the ‘Insuring a resilient and nature-positive future’. • Prepare a concept note and ‘methodology document’ to advance quantitative and scenario-based risk assessment approaches for insurance underwriting. • Hold 5-8 PSI Working Group for Nature and community of practice meetings to share examples and case studies of insurance solutions for nature-positive. • Support the coordination and implementation of relevant UNEP FI insurance work progamme activities and initiatives, as necessary. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of Head of UNEP FI and report directly to Nature Lead and Head of Insurance. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A master’s university degree or equivalent in natural sciences, environmental engineering, business, finance or a related discipline. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 12 years of relevant experience. Professional Experience: A minimum of 10 (ten) years of progressively responsible work experience related to financial sector, biodiversity and natural capital. LanguagesLanguages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Spanish and other official UN languages are highly desirable for the assignment. Additional InformationSkills & Knowledge: Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with digital technology; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail. The consultant is expected to have a track record allowing for sufficient credibility to work with senior professionals in target-setting, risk and disclosure. Experience in technical assistance in developing/emerging markets and experience working for public sector donors especially bilateral development agencies would be valuable. Experience living or working in the priority countries and/or those regions preferred. Proven experience with capacity building or development of learning materials. 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.