Result of Service

The ultimate result of services of the Consultant will be: a) A research paper which will identify key actors for the supply and demand of financing in the chemicals and waste value chain; develop conceptual framework with theory of change and empirical approach to identify levers to catalyse and redirect financing towards a sustainable chemicals industry transition; identify data sources and availability on public and private financial flows and sectoral pathways/transition plans, potential data modelling needs, and related financing needs for implementing transition plans/pathways. The paper will include recommended approach/methodology for the next phase of work. b) Stakeholder engagement and workshops. c) 2-4 page briefing notes and Powerpoint presentations for financial sector and policymakers. Undertake communications and event/meeting participation.

Work Location

Working remotely

Expected duration

4 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 overall objective of the UNEP’s 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 works to minimize the adverse effects of chemicals and pollution on human health and the environment. UNEP has hosted and helped to create a number of frameworks for reducing pollution, from the multilateral environmental agreements such as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata convention, and the recently adopted Global Framework on Chemicals. UNEP is working to implement a plan “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet”, which requires system-wide transformation and strengthened capacities to act on air, water, soil, marine and coastal pollution and sound management of chemicals and waste. UNEP is also hosting negotiations on a Science-Policy Panel for pollution prevention, which will be critical for consolidating the science around human health impacts of environmental toxicity. Per the IPBES Global Assessment (2019), pollution is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss, which is an important factor in climate change. In September 2023, at the 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), Bonn, Germany, the Global Framework on Chemicals was adopted. It includes a vision, goals and targets that guide stakeholders at all levels to take measurable action to address the sound management of chemicals and waste. New financing to deal with and manage pollution from chemicals and waste will be critical to the success of the Global Framework on Chemicals. The New Framework includes specific finance related targets, such as target D 3 which aims at the private sector, including the private finance sector, to incorporate sustainable management of chemicals in their strategies and businesses and to apply internationally recognized or equivalent reporting and disclosure standards, and target E 3 which aims at mobilising financial flows from all sources in alignment with the objectives of the Global Framework on Chemicals. In its Resolution V/3, the International Conference on Chemicals Management requested the ICCM secretariat, in collaboration with the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) and all relevant stakeholders, to assess the existing financial and investment flows as well as financial needs associated with the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals, including information on domestic accounting. This assessment could inform stakeholders’ discussions at the next session of the Conference. In this context, UNEP FI will work on enhancing the financing of pollution reduction that improves the environment and human well-being. The work would constitute a UNEP contribution to the development of a Global Framework on Chemicals Implementation Programme to strengthen economic and industry sector engagement, coordinated through the IOMC. The aim of this work is to assess status of financial and investment flows in the chemicals and waste value chain as well as financial needs associated with the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals. This assessment could inform (i) stakeholders’ discussion at the next session of the Conference of the GFC to be held in 2026, and (ii) the review of the terms of reference of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund provisionally adopted upon adoption of the GFC. This assessment will be developed in several phases and the work corresponds to the first phase and will consist in mapping the finance landscape for the chemicals industry and value chain, from chemicals producers to users of chemicals across industries, with the view to identify sources of financing across the value chain. UNEP FI does not currently have the required capacity to develop this work and needs a consultant to run this initiative. The Consultant will develop a research paper, stakeholder engagement and presentation material on the chemicals industry and value chain finance landscape, as well as recommended approach and methodology for the next phase of work to develop the assessment of financial flows and needs associated with the implementation of the GFC. Objectives: Objective is to develop the first phase of work in a plan aiming to assess the status of financial and investment flows in the chemicals and waste value chain as well as financial needs associated with the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, including information on domestic accounting (depending on data availability). This assessment could inform (i) stakeholders’ discussion at the next session of the Conference of the GFC to be held in 2026, and (ii) the review of the terms of reference of the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund provisionally adopted upon adoption of the GFC. The assessment will be developed in three phases as follows: – Phase 1: Research into Chemicals and Waste value chain, GFC mitigation pathways and public and private financing landscape in relevant sectors – Phase 2: Roadmap to map public and private financial flows, redirect private financing towards GFC-aligned economic activities and catalyse private finance for sustainable chemicals solutions. – Phase 3: Baseline analysis of public and private financial flows and opportunities to redirect private financing towards GFC-aligned economic activities and catalyse private finance for sustainable chemicals solutions. The Consultant is expected to develop Phase 1 which will aim to map the finance landscape for the chemicals industry and value chain, from chemicals producers to users of chemicals across industries, with the view to identify sources of financing across the value chain. Specific tasks and responsibilities The consultant shall have the following specific tasks and responsibilities: a. Research paper: Identify key actors for the supply and demand of financing in the chemicals and waste value chain. Develop conceptual framework with theory of change and empirical approach to identify levers to catalyse and redirect financing towards a sustainable chemicals industry transition. Identify data sources and availability on public and private financial flows and sectoral pathways/transition plans, potential data modelling needs, and related financing needs for implementing transition plans/pathways. In order to describe the value chain, which will constitute the heart of Phase 1, the value chain will be broken down into units/segments, those where a relatively sophisticated analysis can be provided and those for which an aggregated/relatively simple analysis will be developed. A relatively sophisticated analysis will be developed for the production of chemicals (oil and gas, petrochemicals, bulk manufacture of certain products such as plastics), and for waste (collection, sorting processing, treatment, recovery, disposal). An aggregated and simpler analysis will be developed for the use of chemicals, which covers a wide range of industry sectors, with two strands: (a) the development of generic financing/influence models to understand what types of finance are used by entities in this segment of the value chain and what influence the finance sector has on these entities, and (b) some segmentation of the uses where an in depth focus will be developed on particularly important segments. This will focus on addressing hazardous substances/chemicals of concern/hazardous waste. A process will be developed for extending in depth focus over time to other segments. Identify sources of information on chemicals pollution reduction measures dependent on management of agricultural and industrial discharges to manage impacts on land, air and water and human health, and information on sectoral transition pathways. Identify potential approaches and partners for modelling transition pathways for GFC-aligned Chemicals value chains. Develop methodology and identify data availability and potential partners to assess public and private financial flows and needs. Assess methodological approaches undertaken for relevant research into climate/nature/pollution financial flows, such as UNEP’s State of Nature Finance report, and the Climate Policy Initiative’s Global Landscape of Climate Finance. b. Stakeholder engagement. Undertake interviews/surveys/expert reviews/consultations for desk-based research to inform the research paper development and findings. Stakeholder consultation and engagement of standard setters, private sector (financial and non-financial corporates) and policymakers on research, draft findings and recommendations for Phase 2. The objective of stakeholder engagement will be to inform research and build momentum around action-oriented approaches to mitigate pollution by governments, regulators and private sector actors. Workshops February and April/May 2025: Support the organisation of a half-day expert meeting in February 2025, in coordination with IOMC, with industry actors, financial institutions and key stakeholders, to review guidance on target D6/D3 of the GFC, and the organisation of a finance section in the IOMC IP workshop in April 2025. Design agenda and organise speakers. Engage relevant actors in the financial sector ecosystem on financing the sustainable chemicals transition to address questions such as: – What are the opportunities to increase financial flows to more green and sustainable chemistry, and prevent and reduce pollution and toxicity impacts and realign financial flows to transition highly-polluting sectors towards a lower pollution footprint? – Who would be the relevant (global, sectoral and regional/national) stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a GFC aligned economy? Support the organisation of a workshop with financial institutions and non-financial corporates to include a focus on financing for D3/E3 target, which could be alongside Climate Action/UNEP FI Sustainable Investment Forum (SIF). c. Dissemination and communications campaign. Summarise the findings of Phase 1 in a PowerPoint-style presentation or short briefing note tailored to key target audiences (financial institutions, policymakers and standard-setters) for engagement with relevant stakeholders. Update scope for Phase 2 to reflect findings from Phase 1. Participate in up to 5 events/meeting/webinars to present/discuss findings and socialise findings in relevant networks. The consultant will closely coordinate with UNEP FI relevant teams and with UNEP relevant teams, especially within the Chemicals and Health Branch of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, the Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), UNEP Economy and Trade Policy Unit, as well as with experts and other stakeholders such as IOMC, as needed. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to Programme Management Officer, working in close coordination with the Pollution and Circular Economy Lead.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A Master’s degree or equivalent experience in economics, finance, environment, resource management, sustainability, business, strategy, management, or a related field. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience. The consultant should have excellent listening, writing and speaking communications skills. Professional Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience, ideally in the area of finance/sustainable finance. Experience working in/with banks, insurers and/or investment firms is an advantage, as well as experience working in international contexts. Experience working in the area of pollution/chemical pollution is a plus. Furthermore, the candidate should have a track record of delivering consistently high-quality outputs on time and on budget. The candidate should have successfully managed complex, ideally multi-stakeholder, research projects or studies. Experience of stakeholder engagement is a plus.

Languages

Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: The candidate should have excellent proven conceptual, analytical, research, interviewing, writing and editing skills. The consultant should have strong project management, stakeholder engagement and consultation competencies. He or she should have an understanding of financial services (banking, insurance and/or investment) and of chemical pollution across sectors. The candidate should be able to work independently in an organised and timely manner. The consultant will have the ability to prioritise and identify and capture opportunities to add value to the work programme and engage financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders in the development of the activities. Strong technical skills will be an advantage. Knowledge of sustainable finance and/or banking and/or insurance is desirable, as well as knowledge on the issue of pollution / chemical pollution across sectors.

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.