Result of Service

The result of the services provided will enable to provide the content work on the Financing Transition Track and Engagement Track, such as the Alliance’s position on Oil & Gas, the guidance paper on Private Assets Engagement, climate related benchmarks and finance the transtion in the emerging markets. This will then allow the UN-convened Alliance to utilize state-of-the-art tools and align with various initiatives led by Asset Owners who have demonstrated leadership on the topic of decarbonization. In more detail, potential actions would emphasize: (i) Investor ambition and target-setting at portfolio level – reporting of contribution to progress in a sector-specific way (ii) Impact on the real economy and emissions – to the extent methodologies can be developed for this. (iii) Implementation via a holistic ESG approach for measuring and managing associated impacts. (iv) Joint engagement, and monitoring of engagements, based on the most authoritative, credible scientific input, to ensure consistency of messaging and necessary ambition. This will build on existing active ownership best practice already under development – such as ClimateAction100+. Work Location

Geneva (working remotely is possible)

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 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 400 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.

The UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance (the Alliance) is a PRI and UNEP FI supported initiative. The members of the AOA have committed i) to transitioning their investment portfolios to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels; ii) to establishing intermediate targets every five years; and iii) to regularly reporting on progress. The first set of intermediate targets for the year 2025 was published in 2021.

The Alliance is looking for support in the secretariat for the Financing Transition Track, the Engagement Track and general matters.

The Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance secretariat is supported by UNEP FI and the PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment). UNEP FI needs a consultant to work on all various requirements eg. onboardings of new members of the Alliance and content work in the Financing Transition Track and Engagement Track, such as the Alliance’s position on Oil & Gas, climate related benchmarks and blended finance.

The consultant will support UNEP FI’s secretariat on various topics (see 1.1.), advance content work - The following outputs are required by UNEP:
• Alliance’s position paper on oil and gas developed and delivered.
• Communication materials for launch of the Alliance’s Position on Oil & Gas disseminated.
• Submissions of Blended Finance vehicles of Asset Managers screened and assessed.
• Engagements with largest Asset Managers conducted.
• Engagements with index providers based on the publication ‘Development and Uptake of Net-Zero-Aligned Benchmarks’ conducted.
• Publication on Alliance’s expectations of the lobbying behaviors of asset managers developed.
• Facilitate the user test of the Climate Solutions Platform, collecting feedback and ensure implementation of requests. Testing with the Alliance members the usability and methodological coherence of the Climate Solutions Platform conducted.
• Ensure contract with ESG Book is complied, fees are paid in line with contract requirements.
• Climate Solutions Platform rolled-out and communication materials for the launch disseminated.
• Open letter to Asset Managers, setting out Asset Owners’ climate expectations developed.
• Match-making of our members for collaborative engagements assessed and distributed.
• Onboardings for new joiners to the Alliance conducted.
• Onboardings for new joiners of the Financing Transition Track and the Engagement Track conducted.
• Steering Group Meetings at working level and at Principals level delivered.
• Meetings to facilitate the development of the Alliance’s work on net-zero aligned benchmarks and blended finance conducted.
• Meetings with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) coordinated.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:
• Support the delivery of the Alliance’s position on oil & gas.
• Support the publication of the Alliance’s position on oil & gas.
• Host NZAOA members screening Asset Managers’ blended finance vehicles
• Prepare and host engagements with largest Asset Managers
• Engage with index providers based on the publication ‘Development and Uptake of Net-Zero-Aligned Benchmarks’
• Support the development of the Alliance’s expectations of the lobbying behaviors of asset managers
• Assess methodology and usability of Climate Solutions Platform
• Perform usability tests with our members and ensure methodological coherence of the Climate Solutions Platform
• Support the roll-out of the Climate Solutions Platform
• Support the development and distribution of an open letter to Asset Managers, setting out Asset Owners’ climate expectations
• Assess match-making of our members for collaborative engagements
• Conduct onboardings for new joiners to the Alliance
• Conduct onboardings for new joiners of the Financing Transition Track and the Engagement Track
• Support the delivery of Steering Group Meetings at working level and at Principals level
• Organize and host meetings to facilitate the development of the Alliance’s work on climate-related benchmarks and blended finance.
• Coordinate meetings with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the UNEP FI Climate Change Lead. The consultant will work closely with colleagues in the Net-Zero Asset Owner project team and with the wider communications, design and events teams. Qualifications/special skills

Education: A Master’s degree is required, business, finance, environment, sustainability, administration, social studies. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience: Five years of experience with at least two years ideally gained in the financial services sector, related field. Sustainable finance and climate change is an advantage, as is knowledge of the banking or insurance industry. Experience of working with the financial sector (banking, insurance and/or investment or environmental field), or in the private sector in general would be an advantage. Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing relationships across various stakeholders.

Special skills/knowledge: Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to develop and execute results-focused communications plans across a mix of channels including events, email, webinars, and online and social media. Knowledge of the finance industry is required; knowledge of sustainable finance and environmental issues would be an asset. Ability to priorities multiple activities concurrently in an organized and timely manner with attention to detail. Highly motivated and able to work independently as well as in a team. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relations across diverse stakeholders in a multicultural, geographically dispersed and online environment. Languages

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

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.

This vacancy is archived.

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