UNEP Finance Initiative

Result of Service

UNEP FI requires the Sustainable Finance Policy Analyst for Asia-PAcific (APAC Policy Analyst) to work in tandem with subject matter experts, key stakeholders and UNEP FI Signatories to:

• Provide general support to the APAC Policy Lead with the coordination of the overall UNEP FI policy portfolio of activities in the APAC region;
• Produce and share regular analysis and mappings of policy and regulatory developments in the APAC region affecting the banking and insurance sectors, and identify opportunities for UNEP FI to engage in and support progressive policy reform in the region;
• Support the building of a project pipeline of country mandates to support the development and implementation of sustainable finance regulatory frameworks, e.g. sustainable finance taxonomies.
• Support the coordination of on-going work related to the development of sustainable finance regulatory frameworks at country level, Laos and China
• Coordinate the development of UNEP FI reports for the European Commission Sustainable Finance Hub;
• Support relevant and regular stakeholder engagements including with policy makers, regulators and supervisory authorities, meeting material, analytical minutes of meetings as relevant;
• Support fundraising efforts as relevant;
• Support with UNEP FI input to the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, in close collaboration with the UNEP FI policy team and other relevant stakeholders;
• Support with the implementation of the UNEP FI global policy programme;
• General support the UNEP FI regional team and PRB Signatories on APAC-policy issues and coordination of internal communications on APAC policy;
• Support with briefings and organization on APAC policy initiatives and events as relevant;
• Provide regular reporting to the policy team and management. The consultant will also work as part of the UNEP FI Policy team, in close coordination with the Banking team and Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator.

Work Location

Asia-Pacific; home based with option to work 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 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 promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years.

Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions.

It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition.

UNEP FI's activities in in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region contribute to expand the regional sustainable finance market with the aim to attract private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments.

Working on policy and regulatory developments in the APAC region provides an unique opportunity for UNEP FI's Policy Team to consolidate its position as a leading advocate for sustainable finance globally.

In addition, UNEP FI is expanding its focus on mandates from Member States to support the development of policy and regulatory frameworks in the APAC region.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and successful team working on this important and dynamic agenda.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in delivering the UNEP FI's public policy strategy and APAC sustainable finance agenda.

Objectives:
The APAC policy analyst will work in tandem with subject matter experts, key stakeholders and Signatories to deliver

• Provide general support to the APAC Policy Lead with the coordination of the overall UNEP FI policy portfolio of activities in the APAC region;
• Produce and share regular analysis and mappings of policy and regulatory developments in the APAC region affecting the banking and insurance sectors, and identify opportunities for UNEP FI to engage in and support progressive policy reform in the region;
• Support the building of a project pipeline of country mandates to support the development and implementation of sustainable finance regulatory frameworks, e.g. sustainable finance taxonomies.
• Support the coordination of on-going work related to the development of sustainable finance regulatory frameworks at country level, Laos and China
• Coordinate the development of UNEP FI reports for the European Commission Sustainable Finance Hub;
• Support relevant and regular stakeholder engagements including with policy makers, regulators and supervisory authorities, meeting material, analytical minutes of meetings as relevant;
• Support fundraising efforts as relevant;
• Support with UNEP FI input to the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, in close collaboration with the UNEP FI policy team and other relevant stakeholders;
• Support with the implementation of the UNEP FI global policy programme;
• General support the UNEP FI regional team and PRB Signatories on APAC-policy issues and coordination of internal communications on APAC policy;
• Support with briefings and organization on APAC policy initiatives and events as relevant;
• Provide regular reporting to the policy team and management. The consultant will also work as part of the UNEP FI policy team, in close coordination with the Banking team and APAC Regional team.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:
The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks:

• Provide general support to the APAC Policy Lead with the coordination of the overall UNEP FI policy portfolio of activities in the APAC region;
• Produce and share regular analysis and mappings of policy and regulatory developments in the APAC region affecting the banking sector, and identify opportunities for UNEP FI to advocate for progressive policy reform in the region;
• Ensure relevant and regular stakeholder engagements including with policy makers, regulators and supervisory authorities, meeting material, analytical minutes of meetings as relevant;
• Support with the implementation of the UNEP FI global policy programme;
• General support the UNEP FI regional team and PRB Signatories on APAC policy issues and coordination of internal communications on APAC policy;
• Support with briefings on APAC policy initiatives and events as relevant;
• Provide regular reporting to the policy team and management

Outputs and Deliverables:

• Provide general support to the APAC Policy Lead with the coordination of the overall UNEP FI policy portfolio of activities in the APAC region;
• Written feedback of the meetings and relevant stakeholder engagements;
• Delivery of at least 2 APAC-policy briefs and/or webinars to engage UNEP FI member banks, policy makers and regulators in connection to the APAC policy and regulatory environment on sustainable finance;
• APAC policy input into the UNEP FI global policy programme as relevant;
• Communications material for engagement sessions with PRB Signatories and other stakeholders, including general support for communications, webinars, events etc. related to the APAC policy programme;
• Coordination and progressive lead of (selected) UNEP FI APAC projects and activities. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and will be reporting directly to the Programme Officer responsible for Policy.

Qualifications/special skills

Education:

Master's Degree in the following areas: public administration, economics, law, business administration, international relations, administration or finance studies and/or marketing/communications.

First level degree accepted provided relevant years of experience are provided.

Professional experience:
3-5 years of professional experience and expertise in sustainable finance policy and regulatory frameworks, ideally in Asia-Pacific.

Ideally initial professional experience in the field of finance regulation with a focus on banking regulation, and in stakeholder engagement and management.

Practical experience in supporting the intersection between sustainable development and finance.

Languages

Languages:
Fluent in English is required. Fluency in Mandarin is desirable.

Additional Information

Special skills/Knowledge:

• Proven track record of contributing to policy change in sustainability, finance or a related field.
• Proven experience of working on sustainable finance in the Asia-Pacific context would be highly advantageous.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience of writing in a concise, credible and persuasive manner.
• Excellent verbal presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• A collaborative and consultative approach to others.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail. The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable.
• Reliable and delivers consistently high quality within agreed timeframes. Colleagues, external partners and constituents/clients trust the candidate because they follow through on commitments towards others. Well-organized self-starter with proven ability to move multi-stakeholder processes and initiatives forward at a good pace. Can motivate others and develop inclusive structures and processes that cater to the needs of clients/constituents and create ownership. Team player understands work as contributing to an overall objective, not an end in itself. Can adapt behavior and style of communication to different cultural contexts.
• Motivated and driven by the purpose the team/organization is working towards and the impacts they are trying to achieve.

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.

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