UNEP FI’s Positive Impact Initiative is an integral part of the Initiative’s efforts to fulfil its mission to “identify, promote, and realise the adoption of best eniromental and sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution operations”. By developing a common understanding of what constitutes positive imapct finance and working with members and their stakeholders on the development of practical standards and implementation tools to adopt impact analysis and management in mainstream business and finance, the Initiative is a central contribution to the SDG financing agenda.
The services rendered will help to enable and promote the adoption of a holistic and impact-based approach to sustainability considerations in business and finance and thus help foster SDG serving entities and programmes as well as creating new SDG business opportunities.
The final result of the consultant’s work will be two holistic country needs profiles to be used in the context of a broader research paper exploring how an integrated approach to the SDGs can unlock private sector solutions and private finance for climate change in the MENA region, with a specific focus on two countries (Egypt and Morocco), and to be presented at high-level workshops in both countries.
Specific tasks:
• Application/update of the PII country needs assessment framework for Egypt and Morocco.
• Desk-top research to complement the country analyses.
• Support engagement process in-country of relevant stakeholders/experts, namely scheduling of meetings and information sessions.
• Write-up of consolidated profiles.
• Further support senior expert as appropriate.
• Liaison and coordination with UNEP FI and UNDP teams as appropriate.
Working Remotely
The duration of the contract will be for 5 months part-time.
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with approximately 300 financial institutions and a range of partners and organisations, to understand the linkages between sustainability issues and finance and to promote sustainable finance internationally.
Started in 2017, the UNEP FI Positive Impact Initiative is a think-and-do-tank within UNEP FI exclusively focused on closing the $2.5 trillion SDG financing gap. Based on a unique theory of impact, PII works with finance sector representatives and other stakeholder groups to mainstream impact analysis and management in business and finance as a cornerstone to financing the SDGs.
The SDG-Climate Facility is a multi-partner platform focusing on the impacts of climate change on human security in the Arab region, especially in the context of countries in crisis. It brings UNDP together with the League of Arab States (LAS), the Arab Water Council (AWC), UNDRR, UNEP FI, UN-Habitat and WFP to deliver climate-oriented solutions that address climate challenges, and to bring co-benefits across the SDGs. In doing so, it aims to scale up access to and delivery of climate finance, including through innovative partnerships with the private sector.
UNEP FI needs the services of a junior researcher in finance and impact management to deliver the SDG component of its collaboration with UNDP.
The Consultant will be reporting directly to Careen Abb, Programme Lead for the Positive Impact Initiative at the UNEP FI Secretariat and will be under the overall supervision of the Eric Usher, Head of Unit, UNEP FI Secretariat.
Skills: Familiarity and solid understanding of the sustainable business and sustainable finance agenda in the MENA region, including the main standards, norms, frameworks and players that currently define this field. Excellent analytical skills and capacity to understand complex / multi-facetted issues. Good writing skills. Quick learner and motivated self-starter capable of working independently and effectively with a remote team.
Academic Qualifications: Master’s Degree in one of the following or related areas: economics, finance, business administration and management. Additional academic background in other, non-finance specific fields is relevant.
Experience: At least 2 years of relevant experience involving private sector, finance and sustainability issues in the MENA region, preferably involving research and analytical responsibilities.
Language: For this position fluency in English is required. Fluency in French and/or Arabic is considered an advantage.
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.