Result of Service

The consultant will support the convening and management of UNEP FI’s climate adaptation and resilience programmes, including with: – Development finance institutions partners of the Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative (ARIC) – Banks taking part in the adaptation working group of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) – Stakeholders of a soon-to-be-established Community of Practice on Adaptation & Resilience Impact Metrics Promoting the work of UNEP FI’s outputs is a key parameter, so the organisation of online and in-person workshops, events, product launches and building UNEP FI’s adaptation network is key, so experience in communications would be of benefit in this role. UNEP FI aims to enhance in-house expertise as far as possible by recruiting experts to support the work of UNEP FI, with the assistance of third-party experts where relevant to develop guidance and tools for Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), banks and other financial stakeholders where relevant including impact investors, insurers, asset managers, etc. The consultant may also be called on therefore to support the development of technical products where necessary in support of the PRB, ARIC and GEF projects.

Work Location

Working remotely

Expected duration

12 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 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 promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Since the publication of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures in 2017, UNEP FI has been working with banks, investors and insurers to assess the potential risks from the physical impacts of climate change and to comply with non-financial reporting regulations incorporating climate risk, as well as responding to climate stress tests imposed by central banks and regulators. Monitoring and reporting on climate-related risks, however, does not mean that financial institutions, businesses, households, communities and economies will necessarily become more climate resilient. UNEP FI has been working to identify how financial institutions can also support climate adaptation in the real economy, working with banks, insurers and development finance institutions through the following projects and initiatives: Objectives: Under the direct supervision of Remco Fischer, UNEP FI Climate Lead, working in close coordination with UNEP FI Climate Consultant, Paul Smith, the consultant will support the management of the following projects: 1. Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative (ARIC) 2. Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) 3. GEF-funded Adaptation & Resilience (A&R) Knowledge Management Project 4. General A&R related engagement Specific tasks and responsibilities: Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative (ARIC) The consultant will provide assistance in the following tasks and deliverables for UNEP FI’s ARIC support work: • Support the development and execution of activities under ARIC’s three core workstreams: (i) physical risks; (ii) adaptation & resilience investment metrics; and (iii) capital mobilisation – under the direction of the specialist consultants leading the technical implementation of these workstreams. • Support the organisation and delivery of up to 2 workshops for ARIC members on integrating local voices into climate adaptation finance. The first workshop is scheduled for October 2024. • Support knowledge transfer between ARIC and the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) adaptation working group in partnership with the workstream technical leads and adaptation lead. • Draft and send monthly newsletters to the ARIC membership, including news of ARIC events, meetings and research of news topics and events relevant to the objectives of ARIC. • Draft communications material including press releases, social media and contribute to the preparation of technical reports. • Contribute to the drafting and preparation of interim progress reports to donors. • Organise periodic plenary and Steering Committee meetings, ensuring that invitations go out on time and that mailing lists are up to date. • Assist in processing contractual agreements / letters with ARIC members, as well as setting up ARIC members in the UNEP Partners Portal, which may include responding to Due Diligence questionnaires and preparing Risk Management Plans. Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Adaptation working group • Support the preparation of PRB Adaptation working group meetings, including contributing to research and convening subject matter experts. • Support to the drafting and finalization of thematic papers summarizing output from discussions with the working group. • Support to the drafting and finalization of a technical paper on adaptation & resilience at the end of the piloting phase of the adaptation working group in early 2025. • Support to updating the PRB Adaptation Target Setting Guidance, based on output from the pilot. • Support the PRB in arranging bilateral calls and discussion with individual banking members of the working group. GEF-funded A&R Knowledge Management project • Support UNEP FI’s role in developing a community of practice (CoP) for a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded knowledge management project, intending to share learnings and good practices on private sector innovation and finance towards adaptation. • Details of the workplan are still under development, but it is expected that the consultant will help to set up meetings, workshops and events in relation to the CoP, as well as reviewing output from the technical team and organising editing, design and publication of technical reports. General A&R engagement • In support of the adaptation lead, the consultant will engage with third parties such as UNFCCC, Climate Champions, Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), the European Commission, Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and others to ensure cooperation and engagement on climate adaptation finance initiatives relevant to the work of UNEP FI, including attending meetings and providing written input where necessary. Outputs and Deliverables: • Support up to 20 ARIC physical risk sessions as required, including by conducting research, outreach, communications with third parties and setting up/running sessions. • Support up to 20 ARIC & GEF adaptation & resilience impact metrics sessions as required, including by supporting communications with participants and setting up/running sessions. • Support 20 ARIC capital mobilisation sessions as required, including by conducting research, outreach, communications with third parties and setting up/running sessions. • Support up to 2 workshops with UNEP FI’s Social team to develop a ‘Local Voices’ forum, aimed at developing best practices and sharing case studies on locally-led adaptation finance. • Monthly newsletter to ARIC members • Support up to 20 PRB sessions as required. PRB will lead on organisation, but input into research, convening experts, running sessions as required. • Support up to 15 GEF project-related workshops and events as required. • Coordination of ARIC and GEF in-person events as needed. • Publishing of ARIC, PRB, GEF reports, blogs, and other communications as needed. The Individual Contractor shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI. The consultant/will report to Programme Officer Climate Change, working in close coordination with UNEP FI’s Adaptation Lead. Overall responsibility rests with Head of UNEP FI.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: Academic background – University degree in economics, finance, environmental studies, international relations, business administration, communications or related fields preferred. Professional Experience: 2 years of experience in the environmental non-profit sector, the financial services sector, commercial consulting, or conducting applied academic research on sustainable finance. This experience should be relevant for examining climate risks, climate policies, and the role of the financial sector in climate action.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: The consultant(s) should have a proven track record supporting international programmes involving different stakeholder types, preferably with financial organisations, and with a particular focus on sustainable finance. Special knowledge on development finance and climate adaptation & resilience is not compulsory, but highly desired.

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.