The final output of service will be a well-coordinated, well-communicated and well-managed delivery of the “A Legal Framework for Impact” project in coordination with the Investment Lead.
Working Remotely.
The initial contract will be for 3 Months, with possible extension.
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic public-private partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with over 200 financial institutions, signatories to the UNEP Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on Sustainable Development, and a range of partners and organizations, to embed environmental, social and governance considerations in financial decision-making. Through its industry, thematic and regional activities, UNEP FI promotes the adoption of sustainability practices by financial institutions and the finance sector at large.
The Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals have ramped up investor awareness about global sustainability challenges. Moreover, Investors also have a fiduciary duty to integrate financially material factors, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
UNEP FI, together with PRI, has launched an exciting and critically important new project, ‘A Legal Framework for Impact Project’, which aims to review legal systems around the world, and recommend reforms which will support investors who seek to invest for sustainability impact.
The project has formed a reference group of investors and industry experts and has partnered with a law firm to undertake a legal analysis of investors responsibilities across 5 key jurisdictions. Over the next 3 years the project will then work to support legal reform in the 5 jurisdictions.
Against this background, UNEP FI is seeking an individual contractor to support the validation and dissemination of the legal analysis. The individual contractor is expected to be familiar with sustainable development goals, legal systems, investor practice, and possess the ability to effectively communicate on these matters.
1) Work with the Reference Group to review the legal findings
2) Review the legal findings as provided by the law firm collaborators
3) Support the effective communication of the project goals to a wide audience
4) Support alignment of the project outcomes across UNEP FI programming
In line with the work programme agreed at the UNEP FI Annual General Meeting and approved by UNEP, and under the direction of the Head of UNEP FI, and Investment Practice Lead, the Consultant will support the implementation of the UNEP FI annual work plan through the following project tasks.
The Individual Contractor will work as a member of the UNEP FI core project team on the planning, delivery, monitoring and communication of the project activities.
Specifically, the Individual Contractor will perform the following tasks:
- Develop and communicate technical assistance to commercial financial institutions which are seeking to understand the findings of the legal analysis
- Liaise with the Reference Group to review the legal findings, understand nuances between jurisdiction and ensure the legal review is grounded in practice.
- Review the deliverables provided to the project team by the law firm partnership
- Support the effective communication of the project goals to a wide audience
- Support alignment of the project outcomes across UNEP FI programming, including integration across the climate, ecosystems, and SDGs and Impact work streams
- Ensure UNEP FI is able to consistently and effectively communicate the outcomes and progress of the project at a global level
Deliverables
1. Review of LFI Report (electronic submission)
2. Launch plan for final report (electronic submission)
3. Public communication materials of outcomes of final report (electronic submission)
Specific tasks and responsibilities
UNEP FI core activities
• Clear and agreed-on (between Secretariat, and Partners) project implementation plan, project timeline, communications schedule, as well as the concept and description of deliverables.
• All communications and interactions take place in accordance with schedule / timeline and meet their pre-determined objectives.
• Project deliverables are delivered in line with their previously agreed-on description, in-budget and in line with the project timeline.
• Project deliverables are promoted and disseminated in accordance with a pre-determined, agreed-on communications plan.
Skills: Familiarity and solid understanding of the sustainable finance agenda, particularly as it relates to institutional investor leadership, 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, environmental studies, social sciences, legal, business administration and management. Additional academic background in other, non-finance specific fields is relevant.
Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience involving private sector, finance and sustainability issues, preferably involving project management, research and analytical responsibilities.
Language: For this position fluency in English is required. Other languages are 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.