Result of Service

Through these services, the Consultant will facilitate the engagement and support of the UNEP FI membership. The primary goal is to drive the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework, thereby catalyzing the integration of sustainability into financial market practices. The final output of the consultant’s work is the successful alignment of banking institutions with principles for responsible banking (PRB) in the context of Nature and biodiversity. This includes the development and implementation of strategies, targets, and roadmaps to ensure that banking practices are in line with the Global Biodiversity Frameworks and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultant also plays a crucial role in engaging stakeholders, fostering partnerships, and providing support to UNEP FI member banks to ensure the effective integration of Nature into financial decision-making for a sustainable and responsible banking industry.

Work Location

Working remotely

Expected duration

6 months

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 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 30 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’s Banking Team is responsible for the initiative’s work with its over 400 member banks in more than 60 countries around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking. On 22nd September 2019, UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion and with that over a third of the global banking industry officially signed and launched the Principles for Responsible Banking together with UN Secretary General Guterres. The Principles for Responsible Banking guide the change towards a new, 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. Nature is one of the strategic priorities and focus areas of the PRB signatory community. The launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework provide the global framework for banks to align with. UNEP FI’s Nature Thematic works with the UNEP FI membership to advance the integration of nature into financial decision-making and provides a gateway for financial institutions, bridging nature and finance, driving practical, science-based action on global environmental frameworks using the convening power of the United Nations. UNEP FI’s Nature is looking for a Consultant Banking & Nature to support banking-related activities with the UNEP FI membership. Key activities include: PRB Implementation guidance on Nature: Signatories of the Principles for Responsible banking commit to setting targets and taking action in areas where they have most significant impact. To be able to do so, banks require guidance on how to set targets and take action, especially in areas that are rather new for banks and need to be unpacked for banking, such as for example nature and biodiversity or pollution. Guidance is co-developed with banks globally and is the foundation for capacity building, training and implementation support for those impact areas. Awareness raising & capacity building on Nature: Working together with colleagues in UNEP FI’s Nature team, to build capacity amongst the banking membership for how to assess impact and set targets that align portfolios with the Global Biodiversity Framework, relevant SDGs, and other relevant framework. The consultant will support the delivery of webinars to raise awareness or develop capacity building, draft messages to participants, contribute to newsletters and other internal activities, and to other communication opportunities from the nature team. Stakeholder & membership engagement: Engaging stakeholders, partners, and the UNEP FI membership to ensure the delivery of the UNEP FI’s Nature Strategy for banks. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will provide assistance in the following projects/tasks for UNEP FI’s banking work on nature: • Coordinate the PRB Nature Working Group. • Support developing impact-level guidance for PRB signatories’ work on Nature, in collaboration with WCMC. • Coordinate the PRB Nature Community. • Support the organization of other relevant nature and banking-related activities, particularly for regional capacity building and training on nature. • Support engagement with key stakeholders and partners. • Coordinate the implementation of the “Technical Support for the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support” project with UNEP. • Support development of ‘Asking better questions’ publication for banks in collaboration with the biodiversity consultancy. • Ensure close and effective collaboration between UNEP FI’s banking team and the nature team as well as other relevant thematic teams. • Provide the necessary guidance, information, and materials to the regional coordinators to do their work effectively. • Provide banks with implementation support in implementing their commitment under the PRB. Outputs and Deliverables: • Guidance for impact-level action and target setting for banks, in collaboration with WCMC. • Effective coordination and support for the PRB Nature Community’s activities. • Organized and successful nature and banking-related activities. • Engaged key stakeholders and partners in alignment with UNEP FI’s Nature Strategy for banks • Outreach activities to UNEP FI members from the banking sector. • Supported at least one capacity building session on nature in each priority region • Coordinated implementation of the “Technical Support for the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support” project. • Supported developing ‘Asking better questions’ publication for banks in partnership with The Biodiversity Consultancy. • Improved collaboration and guidance to regional coordinators for effective work. • Implementation support provided to banks for their commitment on Nature under the PRB. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to Nature Lead and Head of Banking.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business, Finance, International relations, Environmental studies, Administration or related field. Professional Experience: • Minimum of three (3) years of work experience in sustainable banking or sustainable finance. • Minimum of three (3) years of work experience in stakeholder engagement and management. • Experience of working in or with the United Nations is desirable.

Languages

Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: • Expertise in sustainable banking or sustainable finance practices. • Effective stakeholder engagement and management skills. • Strong communication skills. • Project coordination and management: ability to effectively plan, manage, and execute projects. • Knowledge of finance issues related to biodiversity and Nature.

No Fee

THE 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.