Duties and Responsibilities
The 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 and its partners are needed to incorporate sectoral considerations into their work. Indeed, it is expected, in the UNEP FI Guidance on Climate Target Setting for Banks, that banks set sector-level targets for all, or a substantial majority of, the carbon-intensive sectors, where data and methodologies allow. These sectors include agriculture; aluminium; cement; coal; commercial and residential real estate; iron and steel; oil and gas; power generation; and transport. UNEP FI needs a consultant to lead the sectoral work in food and agriculture and real estate across different initiatives, including relevant UNEP workstreams and with other key external partners to ensure a coherent approach. It also requires support to members of sector-specific framework for banking transition to net zero working groups to develop practical technical notes, identify best practices and convene peer exchange meetings to help banks meet their targets within these sectors. The consultant will be hosted by UNEP FI and will provide technical support in various UNEP FI´s initiatives including the framework for banking transition to net zero, Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, Net Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance and the Principles for Responsible Banking. The consultant will contribute to UNEP’s efforts to accelerate private and public sector financing for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including developing financial institutions’ knowledge and expertise to contribute to achieving SDGs 2, 11, 12, 13 and 15 spanning food security, climate action, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production and life on land. In line with the work programme delivered during the UNEP FI Annual General Meetings and under the direct supervision of the head of Climate Team, in close cooperation with the Climate mitigation and NZECA Teams, the consultant will carry out the following project tasks as shown below. The consultant will perform the following tasks: Climate team tasks: ● Support sector-specific working groups to hold focused peer-learning exchanges to develop practical emerging practice technical notes, identify best practices to help banks meet their targets within these sectors. ● Prepare the technical meetings including developing the content proposal for the co-leads and discussing its uptake, inviting members to present their experiences, challenges and best practices. ● Disseminate the knowledge developed in the working groups via online events and webinars, provide speaking points and any relevant material. ● Participate in meetings with relevant external partners to support a coordinated approach at UNEP FI. ● Maintain continuous collaboration and exchange with UNEP FI's nature, circular economy, adaptation, and climate risk teams to ensure that efforts related to agriculture, food systems, and land use change including deforestation are complementary and impactful. NZECA: The consultant will deliver the following tasks to support the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance across its functions, specifically to deliver of the 2026 work plan: • Provide overall support to the NZECA Senior Project Manager across different tasks, including those listed below; • Support the implementation of the Alliance Work Plan; • Support development of methodological, operational and communication materials for the Alliance, in coordination with the NZECA Senior Project Manager, Alliance members, other team members and external stakeholders; • Participate in production of communication and outreach materials; • Participate in production of periodic reports and other Alliance outputs; • Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc. (collating agendas, identifying participants, preparing minutes of meetings and other relevant documents, presentations, reporting materials etc.); • Provide substantive support to activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports) and preparation of related documents/reports; • Participate in the overall work of the UNEP FI Climate Team. • Perform other duties as required. Outputs and Deliverables: • Support for members through their sustainability journey and climate transition with guidance that meets their needs and capacity building opportunities through meetings and events that help them to learn from peers. • Workplans that meet member needs • Technical reports that address cutting edge sustainability topics and help to drive the agenda forward. • Showcasing of successes and good practice of members and peer learning opportunities that share experience and accelerate progress • A clear, coherent and streamlined offering to members. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to head of Climate, UNEP FI.
Qualifications/special skills
Education: A master’s degree in finance, agricultural economics, international relations, business is required. A bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree, provided the candidate has 7 years of experience. Professional Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in partnership development, banking and/or investment, for example in risk, ESG, client-facing teams and/or developing sustainable finance products is required. Experience working in/with agricultural corporates and/or banks and /or insurers and/or investors is required as well as experience working in international contexts is required. The candidate should have successfully managed complex and, ideally, multi-stakeholder, projects.
Additional Information
Skills & Knowledge: The consultant should have the ability to manage relationships and drive collaboration. Ability to build good working relationships at all levels is desirable. He or she should be expert at coordination and outreach, able to work independently, have strong problem-solving abilities, and excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrable expertise in agriculture, sustainability and finance is required. The consultant should have excellent listening and communications skills, with experience in presenting in public and writing reports.
