Participation in the Impact Management Platform is an integral part of UNEP FI’s efforts to fulfil its mission to "identify, promote, and realise the adoption of best environmental and sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution operations". By developing a common understanding of what constitutes impact management and working with peers on common definitions, interoperability solutions, and the filling of definitional and resource gaps, the Platform is a central contribution to the mainstreaming of impact management in business and finance.
Working remotely
The duration of contract is for 6 months.
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 carries out its mission to help the financial industry align with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and with that take on the crucial role it must play in achieving a sustainable future.
Impact & SDGs is one of UNEP FI’s thematic focus areas. Its ultimate focus is on bridging the funding gap for sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs. To achieve this a new, impact-based approach to business models, based on a holistic consideration of the three pillars of sustainable development is required. The Impact & SDG work stream is responsible for UNEP FI’s impact protocol and works with the industry commissions and the other thematic streams, as well as a range of external partners, to normalize and roll-out impact analysis and management in mainstream finance. More information available here: http://www.unepfi.org/positive-impact/
The Impact Management Platform (“Platform”) is a collaboration between the leading providers of sustainability standards and guidance. Through the Platform, these initiatives will continue to work together to identify opportunities to consolidate existing sustainability resources, collectively address gaps, and coordinate with policymakers and regulators to support the mainstreaming of impact management. The Platform is overseen by a Steering Committee comprised of the IFC, OECD, UNDP, UNEP FI and UNGC.
UNEP FI is looking for a coordinator to support the Platform. This is primarily an administrative role with the opportunity to develop knowledge and experience within the field of impact management and communications. Reporting into the Platform Manager, the ideal candidate will have excellent organisational and written skills, as well as exceptional attention to detail.
The specific objectives of the consultancy include:
• Improving and maintaining current filing systems and databases
• Establishing processes for tracking processes, such as expenses and engagement
• Pulling data from files on request
• Scheduling meetings on behalf of the Platform team and Partners
• Supporting Platform Manager with sending reminders and chasers to Partners and other stakeholders, as required
• Note-taking for meetings, including team offsites, monthly Partner meetings, quarterly Steering Committee meetings and bi-annual Leadership Committee meetings
• Assisting with finalising presentations and documents
• Following up with stakeholders’ post-meetings, as required
• Coordinating logistics for events and press enquiries
• Triaging practitioner enquiries, responding as required and maintaining logs of practitioner feedback
• Carrying out updates to content on the Platform website
• Supporting the Platform Manager to develop communications material such as presentations and flyers
Deliverables include:
• A new system for logging and responding to practitioner enquiries
• Diary invitations for bilateral and group meetings
• Materials to support practitioner engagement, including flyers and email responses template
• Notes and slides for milestone meetings with Partners
• Up-to-date and well-maintained tracking documents for the Platform’s systems and processes, such as expenses, budget and engagement
• Strategy to receive feedback from practitioners to support the development of the Platform website
Specific tasks and responsibilities
This is a generalist role whose responsibilities will span multiple functions related to the Platform, including:
1. Operations and administration:
• Coordinate the Platform team’s diaries with external parties to set up meetings
• Update the Platform team’s project log frame and coordinate team internally according to priorities and pending deadlines
• Maintain the Platform’s budget tracker
• Maintain the Platform’s online filing system
• Support on ad hoc data entry, including maintaining records and contact lists, as required
2. Partner meetings:
• Timely coordination of diaries and invitations, as well as tracking attendance for Partner meetings. This may often include using Doodle polls to gauge the availability of several stakeholders.
• Support the Platform Manager to share reminders and relevant materials ahead of Partner meetings
• Support the Platform Manager to coordinate materials for Partner meetings
• Record minutes and/or notetaking during milestone Partner meetings
3. Communications:
• Update the Platform’s communications materials on a frequent basis
• Maintain the Platform’s events and media tracker spreadsheet to inform the development of the Platform’s communications strategy
• Support the Platform Manager with content development and materials for events that profile the Platform
• Maintain the central Platform inbox by fielding and triaging requests
• Update the email responses template document based on enquires that the Platform team receives
• Monitor web traffic and statistics, and communicate data to the Platform team and Partners as appropriate/agreed
• Support the Platform Manager to implement content updates to the website where appropriate
• Set up the technical infrastructure for Platform-hosted webinars and meetings
• Proof-read and format documents to be in-line with the Platform’s brand guidelines
• Collate practitioner feedback on the web tool
4. Engagement:
• Update the Platform’s engagement records as required
• Assist the Platform Manager with fielding interest from potential collaborators.
5. Partner workstreams:
• Coordinate clusters of Partners with Platform team members to arrange working group calls
• Proof-read content that emerges from the Partner workstreams on request
The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI and report directly to the UNEP FI Impact and SDGs Programme Lead.
Skills & knowledge: Strong written and communication skills. Excellent analytical skills and capacity to understand complex / multi-facetted issues. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with professionals across different organisations. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. Advanced skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with the main approaches to impact measurement and management, including the relevant standards, norms and frameworks, is desirable. Interest in the field of impact management and sustainability is essential
Academic Qualifications: Bachelors’ Degree in business, development, humanities or a related field
Relevant experience: At least 3 years’ experience in project management and/or administration. Hands-on experience with coordinating teams as well as external stakeholders. Proven success in working with all levels of management.
Language: English is a working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.
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.