The overall objective of this assignment is to assist UN Environment and its Finance Initiative in the productive policy/finance dialogue being developed, raise the visibility of energy efficiency finance and investment on the international agenda, and utilize the mutually reinforcing linkage between policy and financial institutions to more deeply embed energy efficiency finance across financial institutions. The result will be a meaningful contribution to mainstreaming energy efficiency finance across a significant number of UNEP FI member institutions (thereby contributing to market transformation), strengthen linkages between UNEP FI and those institutions, and contribute to an enhanced dialogue and cooperation between other UNEP FI activities and financial institutions.
Working Remotely.
This is a 4 Month contract.
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic partnership between UN Environment and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with approximately 300 financial institutions as well as a range of partners and organizations, to develop and promote linkages between the environment, sustainability and financial performance. Through its work-streams and regional activities, comprehensive work programme, training and research, UNEP FI carries out its mission to identify, promote, and realize the adoption of best environmental and sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution strategies and operations.
The consultant is needed to perform tasks of organizational, analytical and communication nature, for the energy efficiency finance work, with a focus on issues for buildings and industry/SMEs, in close cooperation with the UN Environment Finance Initiative team, and under the supervision of the Thematic Lead, Climate, and overall direction of the Head of UN Environment Finance Initiative.
The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI and report directly to the Climate Change Programme Officer at UNEP FI.
The overall objective of this assignment is to assist UN Environment Finance Initiative expand, deepen and solidify the work successfully established on energy efficiency finance.
In the context of the Finance Initiative’s engagement in the G20 Energy Efficiency Finance Task Group, the consultant will support reporting on successful initiatives taken in 2019 such as the G20 Global Summit on Financing Energy Efficiency and Innovation and ensure that donors are well informed about the summit itself and associated outputs such as the G20 EEFTG 2019 Stocktake Report.
All this will contribute to the achievement of the UN Environment Finance Initiative’s goals and targets, in particular through the ongoing and active outreach to members on the topic. Where possible, further member engagement on energy efficiency finance might be explored through the new UNEP FI Energy Efficiency Finance Platform, which would scale up capital allocated to energy efficiency by banks, investors and insurers and enable them to share data and best practices to bring the energy efficiency market further towards maturity.
Since the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group, which is jointly convened by UNEP FI and the European Commission, has entered its third phase whilst adding substantial new working groups, the consultant will also take main responsibility for managing the relationship with the Commission and supporting consortium members.
- Continue implementation of the ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP framework contract - continue, under the supervision of UNEP FI liaising with the EC and continue participating in ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP core team calls between the EC, UNEP FI and the consortium and continue coordinating the implementation of the new working groups which have been set up.
- Advise on strengthening the funding base of the UNEP FI energy efficiency work, including through advising on the engagement of European donors by participating in conversations with European donors, as appropriate.
- Advise on potential activities for the G20 EEFTG in 2020 under the Saudi presidency through regular calls with the programme officer.
1st Month:
- Continue implementation of the ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP framework contract - continue, under the supervision of UNEP FI liaising with the EC and continue participating in ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP core team calls between the EC, UNEP FI and the consortium and continue coordinating the implementation of the new working groups which have been set up.
- Advise on strengthening the funding base of the UNEP FI energy efficiency work, including through advising on the engagement of European donors by providing a briefing paper to the programme officer.
- Advise on potential activities for the G20 EEFTG in 2020 under the Saudi presidency through regular calls with the programme officer.
- Produce draft report on G20 Global Summit on Financing Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Clean Technology to donors, for their review before finalization.
2nd Month
- Continue implementation of the ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP framework contract - continue, under the supervision of UNEP FI liaising with the EC and continue participating in ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP core team calls between the EC, UNEP FI and the consortium and continue coordinating the implementation of the new working groups which have been set up.
- Advise on strengthening the funding base of the UNEP FI energy efficiency work, including through advising on the engagement of European donors by participating in conversations with European donors, as appropriate.
- Advise on potential activities for the G20 EEFTG in 2020 under the Saudi presidency through regular calls with the programme officer.
- Produce draft report on G20 EEFTG 2019 stocktake, for donor review.
3rd Month:
- Continue implementation of the ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP framework contract - continue, under the supervision of UNEP FI liaising with the EC and continue participating in ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP core team calls between the EC, UNEP FI and the consortium and continue coordinating the implementation of the new working groups which have been set up.
-Advise on strengthening the funding base of the UNEP FI energy efficiency work, including through advising on the engagement of European donors by participating in conversations with European donors, as appropriate.
4th Month:
- Continue implementation of the ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP framework contract - continue, under the supervision of UNEP FI liaising with the EC and continue participating in ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP core team calls between the EC, UNEP FI and the consortium and continue coordinating the implementation of the new working groups which have been set up.
- Advise on strengthening the funding base of the UNEP FI energy efficiency work, including through advising on the engagement of European donors by participating in conversations with European donors, as appropriate.
- Advise on potential activities for the G20 EEFTG in 2020 under the Saudi presidency by producing final version of the briefing paper on this.
Skills: General knowledge of economics, finance, sustainable development, and energy/climate challenges. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence and flexibility when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Capacity to meet short-term deadlines, and deliver impactful engagements, particular given the high-level international involvement. Given the multiple groups of actors to approach, and large range of participating countries, proven organization skills are absolutely required, to develop clear action plans consistent with agreed strategies, identify priority activities, and adjust them as required. The consultant will proactively follow up, foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning; monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary; use time efficiently.
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree is required (Masters or equivalent) in Economic, Finance, Environmental or Business Administration. A first level university degree in combination with one year of experience in sustainable development, energy, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience: A minimum of five years is required in a relevant field of work, preferably with experience in several aspects of sustainability, energy, environment, climate, to facilitate exchange and understanding with targeted contacts. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. French would be desirable.
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.