UNEP Finance Initiative

Result of Service

The ultimate result of services of the Consultant will be to: • Develop a Study on current practices of banks to manage pollution in their portfolio, including their buildings and construction portfolio, including recommendations for engagement with banks to support the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals. • Develop a Sectoral Pollution Guidance for buildings and construction containing guidance for banks on how to prevent, reduce and manage pollution, especially chemical pollution, in their buildings and construction portfolio. • Organize and hold a workshop, exchange session or webinar for banks and other relevant stakeholders on pollution management in banks’ portfolio, including in their buildings and construction portfolio, especially after the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Global Framework on Chemicals.




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 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. 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 December 2022, at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), 196 countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In the face of unprecedented biodiversity loss, the GBF provides a framework to achieve its overarching aim to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, including by reducing pollution. At UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) held in March 2022, representatives of 175 nations endorsed a resolution to end plastic pollution. The resolution addresses the full lifecycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal. The resolution established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), which began its work in 2022, with the ambition of completing an international legally binding instrument by the end of 2024, with involvement of relevant stakeholders, including the private sector. 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. The convergence of these international frameworks recently adopted or currently under negotiation is a unique opportunity for the private financial sector to engage on the topic of pollution. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) project on “Global Best Practices on Emerging Chemical Policy Issues of Concern under Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)” (GEF 9771), adopted in 2018, aims to accelerate the adoption of national and value chain initiatives to control Emerging Policy Issues (EPIs) and contribute to the 2020 SAICM goal and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Building on activities already developed since inception of the GEF 9771 project, further activities will be developed to support the prevention, reduction and management of chemical pollution in the buildings and construction portfolio of financial institutions. In this context, UNEP FI will develop a series of activities to engage with banks and support their action on pollution prevention and reduction and sustainable chemical management in their portfolio, especially in their buildings and construction portfolio. This will include developing recommendations for engagement with banks on sustainable chemical management, development of a sectoral guidance for banks on pollution in the buildings and construction sector, and organisation of a workshop, exchange session or webinar on the topic, targeting among others the finance sector. pollution targeted paper for commercial banks (“Pollution Paper for Banks”) to raise awareness on the topic and on nexus with the climate and biodiversity agenda, with a focus on the four high impact sectors of mining, electronics, textiles, pharma, including possible indicators to assess risks and impacts. Pollution Paper for Banks, and hence outside expertise is required. The consultant will lead the development of the Pollution Paper for Banks, develop a proposed work plan for next phases of work for banks to prevent and reduce pollution, and support other UNEP FI activities related to pollution. Pollution Paper for Banks analysing the risks and impacts of pollution for banks, possible ways for banks to prevent and reduce pollution, including through circular economy solutions, including but not limited to chemical pollution considerations, and including as well gender, decent work and human rights considerations and fostering a just transition. This will include defining scope, objectives and outline of the Pollution Paper for Banks, as well as running desktop research and consultations with experts, partners, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to inform the development of the Pollution Paper for Banks, and leading the review, finalization and launch of the Pollution Paper for Banks, and organising a launching webinar. The consultant will also develop a proposed work plan for next phases of work for banks to prevent and reduce pollution, and to support as needed other pollution related activities of UNEP FI, especially of the Pollution and Circular Economy team. Objectives and output expectations: Objective is (i) to develop a Study on current practices of banks to manage pollution in their portfolio, including their buildings and construction portfolio, providing recommendations for engagement with banks, (ii) to develop a Sectoral Pollution Guidance for banks for the buildings and construction sector, and (iii) to organise a workshop, exchange session or webinar on pollution reduction and management for financial institutions including a focus on buildings and construction. Through the Study, current practices of banks to manage pollution in their buildings and construction portfolio are better understood, challenges and barriers faced by banks are identified, and informed recommendations are developed to enhance engagement with financial institutions, including to support the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals. Through the Sectoral Pollution Guidance for buildings and construction and the workshop, exchange session or webinar, banks will have an increased knowledge on the pollution related risks and impacts in the buildings and construction sector and the evolving pollution related policy landscape, including the Gobal Framework on Chemicals. Banks will also have a better understanding of the possible ways for banks to prevent and reduce pollution in their buildings and construction portfolio through their internal policies and processes, client engagement, portfolio composition and financial flows, and advocacy and partnerships. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant shall have the following specific tasks and responsibilities: • Develop a Study on current practices of banks to manage pollution in their portfolio, including their buildings and construction portfolio. This will include analyzing how pollution is incorporated into banks’ sustainability strategy, data collection, risk and impact assessment processes and tools, metrics, client engagement, financial products offering, financial decision making, monitoring and disclosure processes, and gaps and challenges faced by banks to integrate chemical pollution in their financing decision making. For this purpose, the Consultant will organise a survey and/or a series of interviews with financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders, and based on the main findings, develop recommendations in the perspective of supporting the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals, including in the buildings and construction sector. • Develop a Sectoral Pollution Guidance for buildings and construction containing guidance for banks on how to prevent, reduce and manage pollution, especially chemical pollution, in their buildings and construction portfolio. This will include recommendations for banks on both considering taking action on as well as setting targets for pollution in their buildings and construction portfolio. In this guidance, a theory of change, different action categories (internal policies and processes, client engagement, portfolio composition and financial flows, and advocacy and partnerships) and steps to set targets will be addressed, including indicators and metrics to use. The guidance will include recommendations for banks to manage pollution in their portfolio, including chemical pollution, through circular economy solutions, and will include just transition, gender, decent work and human rights considerations. The Sectoral Pollution Guidance will be co-developed with a working group of banks, members of UNEP FI and signatories of the Principles for Responsible Banking, in parallel with the development of a sector agnostic Pollution Guidance and a Sectoral Guidance on agriculture. The Guidance will include initial recommendations for banks to engage with their clients to better understand, assess and manage their chemical footprint, as well as case studies. The Consultant will build on resources developed under the GEF 9771 project and on resources developed by UNEP FI and UNEP on pollution, including the pollution white paper for banks to be released in Q4 2024. The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Banking team, with UNEP’s relevant teams, and with external partners and experts. The Consultant will also provide support as needed in the development of the sector agnostic Pollution Guidance for banks. • Organise and hold a workshop, exchange session or webinar for banks and other relevant stakeholders to raise awareness on pollution management in banks’ portfolio, including in their buildings and construction portfolio, especially after the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Global Framework on Chemicals. The session will help disseminate resources relevant for financial institutions developed under the GEF 9771 project, and guidance for banks under the Sectoral Pollution Guidance for buildings and construction. The Consultant will develop the content of the session, organise and hold the session, in collaboration with the Communication team. • Provide support as needed to UNEP FI team (especially Pollution and Circular Economy team, Nature team and Banking team) for pollution related projects and initiatives. • The consultant will leverage on the work developed by UNEP FI Pollution and Circular Economy team to support the transition to a circular economy and promote solutions, including circular solutions, to prevent and reduce pollution, as well as with other relevant UNEP FI teams (especially the Nature team, Banking team, Climate team and Social team). The consultant will closely coordinate with UNEP’s 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), as well as with experts and other stakeholders as needed. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer, working in close coordination with the Pollution and Circular Economy Lead.




Qualifications/special skills

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent experience) in economics, finance, environment, resource management, sustainability, business, strategy, management, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 7 years relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. The consultant should have excellent listening, writing and speaking communications skills. Professional Experience: A minimum of (5) five 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 buildings and construction sector and /or 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 the buildings and construction sector. 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 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, and sustainable practices in the buildings and construction sector.




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.