UNEP Finance Initiative

Through the support by the Consultant to the development of the Pollution and Circular Economy workstream activities, financial institutions will have an increased awareness and knowledge on the circular economy opportunities, including in high impact sectors. They will have increased knowledge on the nexus between circular economy, climate, nature, pollution and healthy & inclusive economies and how to incorporate circular economy approaches in target setting and action plans on climate in high impact sectors. Financial institutions will have an increased awareness and knowledge on the pollution risks and impacts and an enhanced capacity to advance pollution prevention and reduction, including in the plastics value chain. Objective is

• to provide support across Pollution and Circular Economy workstream activities to raise financial institutions’ awareness and capacity on pollution risks prevention and reduction and on circular economy opportunities, and
• to support the delivery of reports requested under the Pollution and Circular Economy workstream.

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 500 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 promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. UNEP FI convenes the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), a unique framework for ensuring that signatory banks’ strategy and practice align with the vision society has set out for its future in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Over 330 banks have now signed the PRB to make a positive contribution to people and the planet. These banks represent more than half of the global banking industry. UNEP FI also convenes insurers that are signatories to the Principles for Sustainable Insurance and co-hosts the Investment Leadership Programme with the Principles for Responsible Investment. UNEP FI has recently established a thematic area focusing on Pollution and Circular Economy. This workstream will continue to build support on circular economy technical capabilities and help financial institutions address pollution risks such as plastics and chemical pollution. UNEP FI published a global updated guidance for banks on circular economy/resource efficiency target setting in 2023 and is working on regional initiatives to catalyse circular economy finance, and on a series of guidance documents for banks on how to operationalise the nexus between circular economy and climate, nature, pollution and healthy & inclusive economies, starting with a focus on the nexus between circular economy and climate. UNEP FI is also supporting financial sector engagement on intergovernmental negotiations and action to address plastic pollution with its work with the UNEP FI-convened Finance Leadership Group on Plastics. UNEP FI plans to develop a guidance on pollution for banks, which will aim to guide banks on how to better assess, control and manage pollution in their portfolios. UNEP FI needs a consultant to provide support across activities of its Pollution & Circular Economy work programme to engage the financial sector and build technical capacity on UNEP priorities including plastic and chemical pollution, resource efficiency and circular economy. UNEP FI currently does not have the relevant capacity internally to carry out the stated tasks as shown below. UNEP FI needs additional capacity for the workstream Pollution and Circular Economy, to provide support across activities and projects of the thematic area,

including among others the following:

• The working group of banks on operationalizing the nexus between circular economy and climate/nature/pollution/ healthy & inclusive economies,
• Activities aiming at preventing, reducing and managing pollution, especially related to the development of a guidance on pollution for banks,
• Activities aiming at ending plastic pollution, especially related to the Finance Leadership Group on Plastics. The Consultant will support the Pollution and Circular Economy lead to successfully develop the activities of the workstream and deliver timely financial management, reporting and delivery of milestones for the various projects of the workstream.

Specific tasks and responsibilities : The Consultant shall have the following specific tasks and responsibilities:

• Support in the development of a guidance on operationalising the nexus between circular economy, climate and nature target setting, in coordination with the Banking team, the Climate team and the Nature team.
• The Consultant will support in exploring with banks how the circular economy is a crucial enabler to achieve banks’ targets on climate mitigation and on nature, based on the conceptual approach of how climate, nature and pollution are interconnected and banks’ work on a given impact area affects positively or negatively other impact areas.
• This will include running desktop research and consultations with members of the working group and supporting in the drafting and launch of a sectoral supplement to the guidance on circular economy and climate, as well as supporting in the development of client engagement templates in selected sectors.
• The Consultant will build on the work already developed by UNEP FI and UNEP on climate, nature, pollution and circular economy. The Consultant’s work will be developed in close coordination with UNEP FI and UNEP relevant teams, and other partners and experts as needed.
• Support to implement regional activities and/or capacity building materials based on global guidance on circular economy target setting for banks, in coordination with the Banking team and regional coordinators as relevant.
• Work closely with the Communcation team to support in preparing communication materials and events under the various projects implemented by the Pollution and Circular Economy team.
• Provide support as needed across the projects and initiatives developed and implemented by the Pollution and Circular Economy team. The Consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer, working in close coordination with the Pollution and Circular Economy Lead.

Qualifications/special skills

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, environment, resource management, sustainability, business, strategy, management, or a related field. Professional Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of work experience.
• Experience working in finance/sustainable finance or in/with banks, insurers and/or investment firms is an advantage, as well as experience working in international contexts. Experience working in the area of resource efficiency/circular economy/ pollution is a plus.

Languages

• Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/240691?language=en