UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Stakeholder Engagement Manager Banking

Result of ServiceThe scope of the Banking Stakeholder Engagement Manager role includes: 1. Under the Banking team leadership: • Build up a regular, structured and for both sides valuable exchange / consultation with banking sector regulators and supervisors, i.e. Central banks • Explore ways in which the sustainability leaders brought together under the PRB can develop a common voice to encourage decisive policy action • Design the initial approach with investors – a key bank stakeholder – to increase awareness of the PRB and the value added to the bank when it is a signatory. 2. Under the Policy Team leadership: • Support policy developments and projects in the EU, and Europe more broadly. Work LocationWorking remotely / Home-based Expected duration12 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. 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. Launched in 2019 by UN Secretary General Guterres and bank CEOs from around the world, the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) guide the transition towards a sustainable global banking industry that takes on a key role in helping society to achieve its goals for a sustainable future. With these Principles, banks commit to strategically align their business with and scale up their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate. A strong implementation framework defines clear accountabilities and requires each bank to set, publish and work towards ambitious targets and report publicly on their positive and negative impacts and progress in implementing their commitments. Over 350 banks from more than 90 countries, jointly representing about half of the global banking sector by assets are now Signatories of the Principles for Responsible Banking. Banks play a key role in supporting the real economy transition; however, systemic change requires the engagement of different actors. Properly engaging with stakeholders, with a special focus on Banking sector regulators, Governments and non-financial policy makers, is critical to enable member banks to deliver on their commitments and better support their clients. UNEP FI can act as a convener between the member banks and the relevant stakeholders. The consultant will carry out this role as part of UNEP FI’s policy and banking teams, and where relevant, in close collaboration with the UNEP FI communications team. Purpose of the Assignment: Representing about half of the global banking sector by assets, the community of banks brought together under the Principles for Responsible Banking plays an important role in shaping global market practice and in bringing the voice of the banking sector, calling for adequate progress on sustainability to relevant global and regional policy processes. The UN’s work with the global banking sector is governed by the UNEP FI Banking Board. The board has had initial conversations with key regulatory and policy actors that should be further developed. Objectives: The result of the consultant’s work will be the following successful high-quality outputs defined under the outputs and deliverables section. The outputs described will need to be adjusted as exploratory steps yield relevant learnings and options to advance with key stakeholders and following the guidance of the expert hired. UNEP FI requires the Banking Stakeholder Engagement Manager to work in tandem with subject matter experts, and the UNEP FI Secretariat to support policy-related developments and projects and to strengthen UNEP FI relationship with key stakeholders. Through these services the Initiative will be able to contribute substantial support to the UNEP FI Secretariat on EU policy developments for sustainable finance in collaboration with other UNEP FI initiatives. Specific tasks and responsibilities: • Ensure continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders including other UNEP FI initiatives such as the PRB, NZBA, the Impact team, the Climate and Nature Risk Center etc. • Contribute to organization of events, webinars and necessary communications material. Policy-related initiatives: • Develop real economy policy briefs with concrete recommendations for an ambitious EU policy environment for sustainable finance in the current EU policy cycle; • Continuously monitor and assess EU policy developments relevant to the sustainable banking framework and enabling policy environment and provide regular briefings and presentations to the policy and banking teams and UNEP FI members as relevant; • Ensure timely and structured reporting to Donors in relation to the EU policy programme; • Support with the general implementation and coordination of the UNEP FI global policy programme. Banking sector regulators: • In close collaboration with the Policy team, liaise with central banks and relevant central bank networks (NGFS) and organize, prepare and follow up on convenings between the Banking Board and central bank (network) representatives, chaired by the United Nations. • Help prepare and manage (jointly with the UNEP FI comms and policy teams) any joint or aligned statements and communications. • Raise awareness of the value of the PRB and the achievements of the UN Responsible Banking Community with regulators Governments and non-financial policy makers: • Identify globally relevant policy processes in which a progressive banking sector voice would further the objectives of the PRB • Work closely with the UNEP FI Banking Board to explore mechanisms and formats to organize and convey this voice, ideally coordinated with and amplifying the messaging of other key actors • Raise awareness of the value of the PRB and the achievements of the UN Responsible Banking Community with policy makers Investors: • Help design the initial approach with investors – a key bank stakeholder – to increase awareness of the PRB and the value added to the bank when it is a signatory. Outputs and Deliverables: • High quality communications material for engagement with policy makers and banks. • Support and progressive lead of (selected) UNEP FI policy engagements. Policy-related initiatives: • A written analysis of the EU sustainable finance policy environment and documented engagements with EU banks to identify priorities. • A real economy policy brief with concrete proposals for an ambitious policy environment for sustainable finance. • Regular briefings and presentations on EU sustainable finance policy developments. • Timely reporting to Donors. Banking sector regulators: · Two exploratory convenings of the Banking Board and Central Bank representatives organized and prepared. · If successful, the concept for regular engagement/consultation, its objectives and modus operandi developed with inputs from both parties and ideally approved by the Banking Board. · Representation of UNEP FI in the third-party contact group of the relevant central bank network was prepared (with Banking Board inputs) and supported. · Aligned statement to policy makers in relevant international/regional process prepared, organized and delivered (with regional and comms team) · Two presentations on UN Responsible Banking and its value for regulators delivered at relevant events / prepared for delivery by suitable regional colleagues · Explore follow-up to Responsible Policy Engagement Guidance with PRB members Governments and non-financial policy makers: • Identify at least one globally relevant policy process for bringing the Responsible Banking voice • In collaboration with the Banking Board and inputs from the membership, key messages developed, format agreed and modus operandi on how banks can support agreed. • Together with comms team, statement / input to policy makers delivered Investors: · Help design the initial approach with investors – a key bank stakeholder – to increase awareness of the PRB and the value added to the bank when it is a signatory. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the UNEP FI Banking Programme Manager; the UNEP FI Policy Lead and The Banking Stakeholder Engagement Manager. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A master’s degree in finance, law, economics, business administration, marketing/communications, international relations is required. A bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree, provided the candidate has 12 years of experience. Professional Experience: At least 10 years of work experience is required, in which seven (7) years of professional experience and expertise should be in banking regulation, supervision, stakeholder management, policy makers and/or banking / sustainable finance. Work experience in an international setting or different world regions. Experience in working with investors is an asset. LanguagesLanguages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset. Knowledge of other languages such as Korean and Japanese is an asset. Additional InformationSkills & Knowledge: An interest and experience in banking policy engagement and sustainable finance is desirable. Knowledge of banking policy and regulatory frameworks (e.g., prudential frameworks), political cycles and dynamics with the industry. Self-starting personality, with strong project development, management abilities and interest in building up, testing and adapting new structures and models. Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner, attention to detail. The consultant should be able to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions, collaborating horizontally within the team. Professional network among relevant financial sector regulators, policy makers, investors or their respective organizations. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable, as well as good consensus-building skills and experience. Ability and willingness to travel up to once per quarter. 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.