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. Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition. To mirror the rise of sustainable finance regulation global the UNEP FI policy team requires support to develop an internal policy engagement strategy, to support communicating internally and externally on UNEP FI policy engagement activities in close coordination with UNEP FI’s communications team. This includes communicating to policy makers, regulators such as central banks, as well as the finance industry. UNEP FI needs a consultant to assist with the development and implementation of a policy engagement and communication strategy.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks for UNEP FI’s policy work:

• Working in close collaboration with UNEP FI’s external communications team, develop an engagement and communication strategy for UNEP FI’s policy team taking account of critical aspects, opportunities and challenges related to UNEP FI’s dual interaction with the financial sector on one hand, and policy makers on the other;
• Recommend best practice for engaging with policymakers and regulators identifying new channels to interact with these stakeholders;
• Develop and maintain contact lists of policymakers, regulators and relevant segments of finance industry for engagement and communications;
• Identify engagement opportunities and collaboration mechanisms to be set up between UNEP FI member banks and insurers, and regulators/policymakers (e.g., banking policy forum);
• Develop content such as blogs and articles, to be adapted by the UNEP FI communications team for channels such as newsletters, web and social media; , publication process support, as well as the systematic integration of policy items as part of the global UNEP FI communications’ efforts, in line with UNEP FI communications guidelines;
• Organization of discussion panels and other events (including webinars).
• Identify and monitor key performance indicators relevant to the communication of projects and activities conducted by the policy team;
• Support the policy team with drafting quality presentation, publication processes, and communications materials in close coordination with the UNEP FI Communications and Events team;
• Support with timely and structured reporting to donors or other stakeholders in relation to policy activities;
• Support fundraising activities through outreach and communication with existing and new donors,
• Support with the general implementation and coordination of the UNEP FI global policy programme. Outputs and Deliverables:
• Engagement and communications strategy aimed at enhancing policy engagement and communication channels to both policy makers and finance institutions;
• Clear set of KPIs and continued monitoring of progress, gaps and opportunities;
• Produce blogs, articles and editing of publications;
• Timely contributions to reporting to Donors;
• High quality communications material for engagement with policy makers and banks;
• Effective collaboration with the UNEP FI Communications and Events team. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report to the Policy Lead, working in close coordination with UNEP FI Communications Co-Lead.

Education, Skills and Other Requirements

• Master’s degree in the following areas: finance, journalism, business administration, marketing/communications, international relations or similar.
• A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 9 years of relevant experience.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience and expertise in banking regulation, supervision and/or sustainable finance. Ideally initial professional experience in the field of banking, and in stakeholder engagement and management.
• An interest and experience in sustainable development, sustainable finance and policy-related context is desirable.
• Knowledge of stakeholder interactions and priorities in the global financial system, political dynamics of climate and sustainability issues with the industry.
• Excellent command of digital and traditional communications tools.
• Self-starter personality, with strong project development and coordination abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail.
• The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable as well as good consensus building skills and experience.