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 position is located in the Economy Division, Resources and Markets Branch, Finance Initiative Unit, at the Geneva duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Finance Initiative Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:
(1) Programme Management: Support the development, delivery and evaluation of programmed work on integrating ecosystems-related dependencies and impacts into finance sector analysis; raise awareness and develop expertise on ecosystems issues with members; Develop and fundraise for new innovations in ecosystems and the finance sector. Manage Ecosystems thematics budgets and administration.
(2) Member Relations: In close liaison with other relevant functions within UN Environment, provide updates, insight and training to Finance Initiative members and other stakeholders; Engage with members to ensure the continued relevance of the outputs to members.
(3) Partnerships: Contribute to building and maintaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as government officials, policymakers and regulators, international and multilateral organisations, non-governmental organisations, industry initiatives and associations, academia and public and private financial institutions.
(4) Technical Expertise: Provide technical expertise on the design, development and implementation of technical tools for the finance sector, including but not limited to Excel-based tools that identify and integrate natural capital-related risks and opportunities for financial decision making across different asset classes; Contribute to the incubation, development and design of innovative methods to measure the effects of environmental resource variability on the value of financial assets.
(5) Administration: Perform reporting and administrative duties appropriate to the implementation of the activities considered in the thematic work programme of the Finance Initiative on ecosystems; Draft comments on technical reports prepared by other units or offices, as required.
(6) Perform other relevant duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM: Proven technical skills in the area of Finance and Economics, including but not limited to, Financial Risk Management and Environmental Economic Theories. Proven skills in developing work programs for a variety of private and public stakeholders in the finance sector, including capital market players such as financial regulators, commercial and investment banks. Ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities, and remains calm in stressful situations
PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Uses time efficiently. Risks and allows for contingencies when planning monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, business or a related area. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of professional work experience relating to finance and the environment is required.
Two of the five years' work experience at the international level is also required
Work experience in financial risk management is an advantage.
Prior working knowledge of the UN system is also an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
This is a Project post. Initial appointment against this post is for a period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
1. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
2. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.
Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
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