Result of Service

This position would handle secretariat and projects assistance tasks to support the work of UNEP-FI in Africa, including through supporting the Africa Network in collaboration with GFANZ.

Work Location

Working remotely

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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) works with its network of more than 450 banks, insurers and investors to help shape the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global norms and contributing to changing the financial system. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. UNEP FI supports the development and implementation of frameworks including the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), now committed to by more than 310 banks collectively holding USD 89 trillion in assets, representing almost half of global banking assets, and the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI), established 2012 by UNEP FI and today applied by one-quarter of the world’s insurers (25% of world premium). UNEP-FI works closely with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to engage financial institutions on the net zero transition. Founded in 2021, GFANZ is a coalition of leading financial institutions committed to supporting the decarbonization of the global economy. GFANZ currently supports over 675 financial institutions from 50 countries within the sector-specific net zero Alliances (the Alliances ). GFANZ and the financial sector-specific net-zero Alliances are dedicated to helping financial institutions to play a key role in supporting the global transition to net zero. Members of the net-zero sector specific Alliance have each made ambitious science-based commitments by their own initiative to support the transition to net zero and GFANZ has developed the tools and methodologies needed to turn financial institutions’ net-zero commitments into action. The GFANZ Africa Network and its Advisory Board is focused on 3 key flagship initiatives for transformative impacts in Africa. The flagships are (i) Supporting the development of de-risking instruments and project pipelines into investable opportunities, (ii) Providing capacity building support to mainstream climate risks regulation, net-zero transition planning and transition finance and (iii) Maximizing carbon currency benefits to Africa. The 3 flagships will also be integrated with activities focusing on nature and biodiversity. UNEP-FI and GFANZ are also founding participants of the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC), launched at COP28. The Coalition will bring together some of the world’s leading climate finance organizations – including an unprecedented group of UN agencies, multilateral development banks (MDBs), standard setters, and the private sector – to enhance collaboration and respond to growing requests for capacity building support from financial institutions in EMDEs. This position will support the Project Team with capacity building, working with GFANZ and the GCBC. UNEP FI needs project assistance to support activities in the Africa region. The consultant will work with GFANZ to plan and accelerate such activities. Objectives: This position would support the Africa Network with secretariat and project assistance tasks. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The Support will perform the following tasks: – Assist with the coordination of activities and meetings of the Advisory Board, Working Groups, Regional Director, and the technical team. – Assist in supporting the Advisory Board Chair and the Regional Director in developing the annual regional workplans and strategic priorities for the GFANZ Secretariat and UNEP-FI. – Assist in developing and coordinating the briefing, background materials and presentations for Advisory Board and Working Group meetings. – Assist in coordinating the documentation, archiving and management of key materials including Advisory Board minutes, presentations, concept notes, reports, and databases. – Coordinate with team members to schedule meetings. – Support events logistics including communication, video/audio and other equipment, and settings for meetings. – Help support the working project structure and support the delivery of UNEP FI / GFANZ Project in Africa. – Support other tasks as needed. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of Head of UNEP FI and report to the GFANZ Africa Regional Director and climate lead UNEP FI.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A first degree Bachelors with concentration in business management, commerce, administration, finance, international studies, or related discipline. Professional Experience: At least years (2) years of relevant and practical experience in administrative and support roles in an international organization or similar institution.

Languages

Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Proficiency in written and verbal communication in English with a good working knowledge of French would be desirable.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: ● Demonstrate the ability to manage simultaneous, diverse, and varying tasks and priorities in a dynamic team environment to meet expected deadlines and milestones. ● Ability to work and cooperate with others from diverse background in a dynamic, international, and multicultural setting. ● Ability to handle task timely, speedily, and efficiently. ● Demonstrate commitment to delivering excellent coordination and communication with diverse teams, partners, and stakeholders in an international organization. ● Effective communication; highly stakeholder-focused, good team working relations. ● Competence in the use of standard software (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) and standard equipment such as computer, scanner, photocopies. Desirable: Previous working experience in Africa.

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.