UNEP Finance Initiative

Result of Service

Lead the banking team communications with UNEP FI members and external stakeholders in coordination with the UNEP FI Communications Lead, the communications consultant for the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and working closely with the junior communications consultant for Banking. This includes oversight of membership communications, content on the UNEP FI PRB webpages, social media and providing and suggesting content for other UN communications channels. Developing communications strategies and implementation plans for key campaigns, including the 4-year anniversary of the Principles, and the Progress Report, the deliverables for COP 29, the latest guidance and reports and the associated PRB Academy. Working together with the junior communications consultant for Banking, effectively engage the signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and UNEP FI banking members, ensuring high visibility of the initiative within the members’ organisations, communicating key milestones, promoting the achievements of its members, and their progress. Supporting coalition building through targeted communications. Liaising on communications campaigns with partners and members. Specifically, • Ensure PRB signatories’ communications teams have access to the latest communications assets, including communications strategy, key messages, speeches, op-eds, press releases, social media assets, website, promotion packs, webinars, etc. • The Principles for Responsible Banking initiative is positioned within the wider context of UNEP FI initiatives in coordination with the UNEP FI communications lead and other comms team members. • Assist UNEP FI banking team members with media messaging




Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland (remote working is possible)




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 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. On 22nd September 2019, UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion and with that over a third of the global banking industry officially signed and launched the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) together with UN Secretary General Guterres. The Principles for Responsible Banking guide the change towards a new, sustainable global banking industry that takes on a key role in helping society to achieve its goals for a sustainable future. With these Principles, banks commit to strategically align their business with and scale up their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate. The Principles are supported by a strong implementation framework that defines clear accountabilities and requires each bank to set, publish and work towards ambitious targets and report publicly on their positive and negative impacts and progress in implementing their commitments. Banks that are not in line with their commitments can be removed from the list of signatories. Objectives: Ensure full support to the banking team on all communications matters, actively promote the Principles to all relevant audiences including UNEP FI’s members, employees of member banks, the media, civil society and the general public, as well as assisting with communicating to other relevant stakeholders such as regulators, policy-makers, investor communities. Output expectations: evidence of strategic thinking, high quality writing, appropriate messaging, hands-on creation of all assets, from press releases to web pages, social media posts and cards to executive summaries. Specific tasks and responsibilities • Lead the banking team communications with UNEP FI members and external stakeholders in coordination with the UNEP FI Communications Lead, the communications consultant for the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and working closely with the junior communications consultant for Banking. This includes oversight of membership communications, content on the UNEP FI PRB webpages, social media and providing and suggesting content for other UN communications channels. • Developing communications strategies and implementation plans for key campaigns, including the 5-year anniversary of the Principles, the deliverables for COP16 and COP 29, the latest guidance and reports and the associated PRB Academy. • Input into the production and drafting of the PRB progress report. • Developing media strategy and crisis comms plan for PRB, respond to media enquiries, assist UNEP FI team with media messaging, organise media interviews and briefings • Working together with the junior communications consultant for Banking, effectively engage the signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and UNEP FI banking members, ensuring high visibility of the initiative within the members’ organisations, communicating key milestones, promoting the achievements of its members, and their progress. Supporting coalition building through targeted communications. Liaising on communications campaigns with partners and members. • Ensure PRB signatories’ communications teams have access to the latest communications assets, including communications strategy, key messages, press releases, social media assets, website, promotion packs, webinars, etc. • Ensure the Principles for Responsible Banking initiative is positioned within the wider context of UNEP FI initiatives in coordination with the UNEP FI communications lead and other comms team members. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI and report directly to the, UNEP FI’s communications coordinator for UNEP FI and coordinating with UNEP FI’s Banking Lead.




Qualifications/special skills

Academic background: A University degree is required, relevant to communications, marketing, design, public / media relations, business, finance, environment, or sustainability. Experience: • At least 7 years’ experience ideally gained in the financial services sector, in external communications, corporate communications, press office, marketing or related field. Experience in sustainable finance is an advantage. • Experience working with the banking industry. • Experience engaging global financial or regional media. • Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing relationships across various stakeholders. • Experience working on campaigns, PR/media relations, websites, and event communications. • Up-to-date proficiency with communications best practices, including social media and online media. Experience in designing and implementing communications strategies. • Experience in writing, editing, and producing communications /marketing materials. • Creative and resourceful strategist with a track record of proactivity.




Languages

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.




Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: o Ability to engage senior stakeholders, knowledge of the sustainable finance landscape and/or the banking industry and ability to craft, design and create external communications strategy and communications assets of all types (key messages, press releases, social media, website updates, webinars) o Creative and enthusiastic professional with excellent oral and written communications skills, with ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. o Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to develop and execute results-focused communications plans across a mix of channels including events, newsletters, webinars, websites, press, and social media. o Ability to produce communications materials following brand guidelines. o Knowledge of the finance industry is required; knowledge of sustainable finance and environmental issues would be an asset. o Ability to prioritize multiple activities concurrently in an organized and timely manner with attention to detail. o Highly motivated and able to work independently as well as in a team. o Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relations across diverse stakeholders in a multicultural, geographically dispersed, and online environment.




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.