Result of Service

The Climate Review Expert will be responsible for undertaking an in-depth analysis and review of the climate targets set by NZBA and PRB signatories to determine alignment with the requirements set out in the NZBA Commitment Statement and the Guidelines for Climate Target Setting, and preparing for and delivering feedback & support meetings, if required. The successful candidate will provide regular updates to the Banking and NZBA Teams about trends, challenges and good practices identified through the feedback and support process. They will work with a small team of Review Experts, and work together to deliver these feedback and support meetings.

Work Location

Geneva (remote working possible)

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 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. UNEP FI’s Banking Team is responsible for the initiative’s work with its over 400 member banks in more than 60 countries around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). At least 80 of the signatories to the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) are PRB signatories. UNEP FI provides the Secretariat for the NZBA, which is composed of both PRB and non-PRB signatories. Together, the NZBA Secretariat and the Banking Team are responsible for implementing the accountability mechanisms detailed in the NZBA governance document. About the Principles for Responsible Banking: On 22nd September 2019, UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion and with that over a third of the global banking industry officially signed and launched the Principles for Responsible Banking together with UN Secretary General Guterres. The Principles for Responsible Banking guide the change towards a new, sustainable global banking industry that takes on a key role in helping society to achieve its goals for a sustainable future. With these Principles, banks commit to strategically align their business with and scale up their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate. The Principles are supported by a strong implementation framework that defines clear accountabilities and requires each bank to set, publish and work towards ambitious targets and report publicly on their positive and negative impacts and progress in implementing their commitments. This includes targets set under the NZBA commitment. Banks that are not in line with their PRB commitments can be removed from the list of signatories. About the Net-Zero Banking Alliance: The industry-led, UN-convened Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) brings together banks worldwide representing approximately 40% of global banking assets, which are committed to aligning their lending and investment portfolios with net-zero emissions by 2050. Combining near-term action with accountability, this ambitious commitment sees signatory banks setting an intermediate target for 2030 or sooner, using robust, science-based guidelines. The Alliance reinforces, accelerates and supports the implementation of decarbonisation strategies, providing an internationally coherent framework and guidelines in which to operate, supported by peer-learning from pioneering banks. It recognises the vital role of banks in supporting the global transition of the real economy to net-zero emissions. In order to ensure effective implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking and NZBA commitment, UNEP FI will provide an annual review, feedback & support meeting (mostly virtually) between the UNEP FI Secretariat and each signatory bank, following each bank’s reporting. In addition to ensuring each bank is making progress at an adequate speed and providing feedback and support to the individual member, the outcomes and learnings from these meetings will feed into the broader peer learning and support structure all banks benefit from as well as the collective progress reports of both the PRB and NZBA. UNEP FI is looking for a climate finance expert to support the feedback & support process. Working together with the team of review experts within the Banking Team, the climate change expert will be responsible for reviewing climate targets set by NZBA signatories (both PRB and non-PRB signatories). Outputs: • Undertake an individual in-depth analysis and review the climate targets set by NZBA signatories to determine alignment with the requirements set out in the NZBA Commitment Statement and Guidelines for Climate Target Setting. • Support the PRB Review Team in conducting meetings (mostly virtually) with signatory banks to discuss their progress and provide feedback and support for their next implementation steps. • Conduct feedback meetings with NZBA members that are not PRB members. • Based on the individual reviews and in coordination with the Banking and NZBA Teams, identifying cases where banks need to take additional action to be line with their commitments. Where shortcomings are not addressed adequately, in coordination with the Banking Team Lead and Climate Team Lead, refer the case to the Banking Board and/or NZBA Steering Group. • Identifying case studies and good practices to feed into the systematic peer learning program. • Sharing knowledge and experience to help develop the sustainable banking expertise of team members. Specific tasks and responsibilities • Review targets submitted by signatory banks, and provide feedback on their implementation so far and recommendations for the next steps they should take. • Draft reports with recommendations. • Register results of the assessment for internal use. • Submit a report detailing the trends, good practices, and outcomes of the review and engagements with signatories. • Submit inputs into the draft NZBA reporting template. • Maintain/develop the internal database and provide updates to PRB/NZBA governance as required. • Submit inputs to NZBA and PRB progress reports The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the lead of climate for the UNEP Finance Initiative, who is the overall supervisor, and report directly to the lead of NZBA Secretariat.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental studies, international affairs, economics, finance, environment, sustainability, business, or a related field. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience. Work Experience • You have a minimum of 5 years of experience in climate change analysis or advisory in the financial sector. • Acquainted with and directly involved in implementing international sustainable banking best practices and standards. • Ideally, previous experience in advisory/consulting roles. • Experience on reporting to C-level executives and/or Boards in Financial Institutions is an asset.

Languages

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is a requirement.

Additional Information

Special skills or knowledge • Proven expertise in climate, review of scientific literature, sector pathway assessments, climate scenarios, ideally pertaining to climate change mitigation and sectoral decarbonization. • Deep understanding of climate change related and climate finance topics. • Experience and expertise in climate change and banking to be viewed as a credible expert by peers and the banks whose progress you will review, and to whom you will provide feedback and support. • Able to quickly understand, synthesize and analyze substantial amounts of information. • Excellent writing skills. • Reliable, deliver consistently high quality within agreed timeframes. • Capable of gaining and then maintaining people’s trust. • Able to manage stakeholder relationships and drive collaboration. • Capable of adapting your behavior and style of communication to different cultural contexts. • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and activities simultaneously and in an organized and timely manner. • Able to work independently and with strong problem-solving abilities. The tasks you will be responsible for in this role are the basis for ensuring all NZBA signatories are in line with their commitments and that support is provided and processes set in motion where this is not the case. Your role is thus crucial for the legitimacy and credibility of NZBA, the Principles, their signatories and ultimately UNEP FI. Consequently, as the successful applicant you must have demonstrated integrity throughout your career.

No Fee

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.