UNEP Finance Initiative - Geneva, GE

Result of Service · The consultant will strengthen UNEP FI's engagement with investors, investor networks, data providers and rating agencies, supporting systemic change in how sustainability performance and impact of PRB signatory banks are assessed, recognized, and valued. The ...

Jobbeschreibung

Result of Service

The consultant will strengthen UNEP FI's engagement with investors, investor networks, data providers and rating agencies, supporting systemic change in how sustainability performance and impact of PRB signatory banks are assessed, recognized, and valued. The ultimate results include:
• Increased understanding and recognition of the PRB and its value proposition among investors and investor networks.
• Strengthened collaboration with data providers (including rating agencies) to identify, assess, and track relevant business-case metrics and initial impact-oriented metrics such as sustainable finance flows. Collaborative work with the UNEP FI Review Team.
• Delivery of insights and analysis that demonstrate the value of responsible banking for banks, investors, central banks, and the real economy, thereby contributing to a virtuous cycle of improved sustainability performance, transparency and recognition.
• Development of regular, structured exchanges between UNEP FI, investors, rating agencies and data providers, helping ensure PRB signatories' sustainability performance is appropriately reflected in ratings, datasets, and external analyses.

Work Location

Working remotely / Home-based

Expected duration

8 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 Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, 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. Launched in 2019 by UN Secretary-General Guterres and UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion in total assets, the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) guide the transition towards a sustainable global banking industry that plays a key role in helping society achieve its goals for a sustainable future. By becoming a signatory, banks commit to strategically aligning their business with and scaling up their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, the objectives of the Paris Agreement, and regional and local frameworks. The PRB framework helps banks understand risk and opportunities, set targets, progress objectives, and take action. Banks are expected to annually disclose their progress towards the six principles, being transparent about the positive and negative impacts of their portfolios and the actions taken to manage them. 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 transition to the real economy; however, systemic change requires the engagement of multiple actors. While PRB signatories outperform non-signatories on sustainability and key financial metrics, investors are not yet fully aware of PRB's value. Their recognition of Responsible Banking as relevant to value creation and resilience, and their inclusion of it in engagements and investment decisions, are powerful incentives for banks. A robust dialogue with banks' external and internal stakeholders demands credible data to demonstrate the business case for sustainability and the performance of PRB signatories relative to non-PRB signatories. ESG ratings, data and benchmarking are critical here. Data providers can be key partners not only in assessing performance but also in collaborating at the frontiers, including demonstrating impact through initial impact-oriented metrics such as sustainable finance flows, as well as data and analysis on sector-specific transition (business case) in key real-economy sectors. UNEP FI aims to strengthen relationships with data providers (including rating agencies), identify and track relevant metrics, and communicate the benefits of strong sustainability practices to individual businesses and the economy. This will create a virtuous cycle where investors and other key stakeholders value responsible banking approaches, encouraging banks to continue advancing toward leading practices. UNEP FI can act as a convener between member banks and these stakeholders, helping advance systemic change. UNEP FI require a consultant to carry out this role as part of UNEP FI's Banking team and, where relevant, in close collaboration with other UNEP FI teams. The consultant will lead UNEP FI's engagement with investors and investor networks to:
• Increase awareness of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and their value proposition.
• Act as a convener between banks and these stakeholders to advance systemic change. The consultant will also lead UNEP FI's engagement with data providers (including rating agencies) to:
• Develop and communicate evidence-based insights demonstrating the business case for sustainability alongside initial impact-oriented metrics such as sustainable finance flows.
• Continue global and regional benchmarking of PRB Signatories.
• Provide and position relevant insight for stakeholders, including investors, central banks and policy makers.
• Identify and close data gaps relevant to assessing sustainability performance.
• Work toward encouraging the sustainability performance of PRB signatories is appropriately reflected in ratings and data products.
• Develop additional collaborations as relevant to UNEP FI's Responsible Banking work. 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, 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 strengthen UNEP FI's relationship with key stakeholders. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will: 1. Investor Engagement
• Design and implement an engagement strategy with investors and investor networks to increase awareness of PRB and its added value.
• Map key global, regional, and national investors and investor networks and assess linkages with PRB community objectives.
• Organize, prepare, and follow up on initial convenings between investors/investor networks and the Banking Board or relevant PRB member groups.
• Build relationships with key investors and investor networks and develop regular communication channels.
• Contribute to positioning PRB signatory status as a meaningful signal of sustainability performance and alignment. 2. Rating Agencies & Data Providers:
• Build relationships with ESG rating agencies and sustainability data providers.
• Identify and prioritize key stakeholders and relevant metrics for demonstrating PRB signatories' sustainability performance and impact.
• Lead structured engagement with 2–4 data providers to assess their interest in collaborating on PRB-related analysis and methodology enhancement.
• Coordinate data collection and analysis comparing PRB vs. non‑PRB signatories, including business‑case metrics and initial impact‑oriented indicators such as sustainable finance flows, and sectoral transition insights for key real economy sectors. Collaborative work with the UNEP FI Review Team.
• Advocate for inclusion of PRB-related metrics in rating methodologies, if relevant.
• Identify and work to close relevant data gaps. 3. Insights & Communication:
• In collaboration with other UNEP FI teams (mainly Review Team and Regional teams), develop insights, reports, and presentations demonstrating the business case for sustainability and showcasing impact-oriented performance.
• Prepare briefing materials and communication products for investors, ESG ratings and data providers, which can also be used by banks in their interactions with these stakeholders.
• Deliver (or support regional colleagues in delivering) presentations on the value of PRB Signatory status at relevant events.
• Support aligned statements and communication efforts with UNEP FI's communications team. Outputs and Deliverables: 1. Investor engagement: · Key stakeholders with global relevance and, for selected countries, key local/regional ones are mapped. · An engagement strategy is defined. · Dialogue with prioritized stakeholders is developed to understand their interests and identify how these could connect to PRB community objectives. · Relationships with key investors and investor networks are established; regular communications are developed and initiated. 2. Rating Agencies & Data Providers:
• Key stakeholders and potential metrics available to demonstrate the business case for sustainability and impact‑oriented performance are identified.
• Engagement with 2 to 4 data providers is structured to identify relevant metrics and assess their interest in collaborating.
• During 2026, work with at least two data providers is carried out to produce data‑driven initial analysis of PRB vs. non‑PRB signatories. In 2027, in collaboration with the Review Team, this analysis is incorporated into the biennial progress report. 3. Insights & Communication:
• At least three presentations on the insights obtained are delivered at relevant events / prepared for delivery by suitable regional colleagues.
• Communication materials are produced to support internal and external engagement. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Banking Programme Manager, UNEP FI.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master's degree in one of the following fields: finance, economics, business administration, international relations, public policy, environmental science, data analytics is required. A bachelor's degree could be taken in lieu of master's degree provided the selected candidate has 12 years of relevant experience. Professional Experience: At least ten (10) years of work experience overall, and at least seven (7) years of professional experience and expertise in banking, investors, data providers, rating agencies, sustainable finance, or stakeholder engagement is required. Demonstrated experience working in international, multicultural environments, ideally across regions or with globally coordinated initiatives is required. Experience working with investors, investor networks, ESG rating agencies, or sustainability data providers, ideally in a role involving collaboration, methodology discussion, or data interpretation is an asset.

Languages

Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset. Fluency in other languages is highly desirable, especially Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge:
• An interest in and experience with investor relations, data providers and rating agencies is expected. A professional network among relevant investors, data providers and rating agencies or their respective organizations is an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in sustainable finance, including familiarity with ESG analysis, sustainability‑related disclosure standards, and responsible investment frameworks.
• Strong understanding of how investors, rating agencies, and data providers assess sustainability performance, including knowledge of methodologies used for ESG ratings, sustainability benchmarks, and financial materiality assessments.
• Ability to interpret and work with quantitative sustainability datasets (e.g., sustainable finance flows, emissions data, sectoral transition indicators) and translate them into compelling insights for stakeholders.
• Proven capability in stakeholder engagement, including convening and facilitating dialogue among financial institutions, investor networks, and technical partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, insight‑driven materials (briefs, narratives, presentations) for expert and non‑expert audiences.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to work independently and coordinate multiple workstreams in a fast‑moving, international environment.
• The consultant should be able to establish and maintain good working relationships within a multicultural, geographically dispersed team working across functions, collaborating horizontally within the team.
• 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 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.