Sustainable Finance Regulation Expert

Job Posting Organization:
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. UNEP's mission is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and integrates its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The overall objective of UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision-makers in government, local authorities, and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, 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. UNEP FI, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, is a strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers, and investors, shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda for over 30 years. UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing the critical role of public policy in enabling sustainable finance. The Chilean Taxonomy of Environmentally Sustainable Economic Activities (T-MAS) was officially launched in May 2025, aiming to define and standardize sustainable economic activities and guide financing flows towards a low-carbon economy. UNEP, in collaboration with the European Union through the EUROCLIMA Programme, is seeking a consultant for a 12-month position to provide expertise to the Ministry of Finance of Chile and other financial supervisory bodies in implementing the Chilean Taxonomy.

Job Overview:
The Sustainable Finance Regulation Expert is primarily responsible for providing regulatory inputs and policy recommendations to Chile’s financial supervisory bodies. The goal is to ensure the effective integration of the Chile Taxonomy into existing regulatory and supervisory frameworks in the banking sector, as well as to propose new instruments needed to achieve this. This role is crucial for ensuring that the Chile Taxonomy is fully implemented and effectively contributes to the project's objectives. The consultant will work closely with the legal and regulatory departments of national financial regulators and the pilot’s implementing team on the Chile’s Taxonomy to identify barriers and opportunities to define the regulatory framework. The consultant will lead the development of a roadmap for the regulatory adoption of the Chilean Taxonomy, ensuring its proper implementation and alignment with local needs. The position requires a specialized expert with a solid background in banking regulation and a deep understanding of sustainable finance, as well as the ability to facilitate meetings, lead training sessions, and present findings and recommendations clearly and persuasively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Sustainable Finance Regulation Expert will perform a variety of tasks under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region. Key responsibilities include:

• Project set-up and governance: Define the high-level process for the piloting phase of the Chile’s Taxonomy, including identifying potential bank participants, developing selection criteria, and establishing a working group.
• Report and workplan elaboration: Ensure thorough preparation and strategic planning for the pilot phase, including conducting meetings with stakeholders and developing a comprehensive report.
• Capacity building: Enhance the technical capacity of participating banks through tailored training programs and peer learning sessions.
• Pilot and evaluate the implementation of the Chile’s Taxonomy: Conduct assessments of banks’ sustainability management practices, perform gap analyses, and develop standardized reporting frameworks.
• Reporting on piloting results: Document findings, prepare comprehensive reports, and develop action plans to address identified gaps.
• Development of implementation guidance: Create a guidance document for banks on the practical implementation of the Chile’s Taxonomy.
• Dissemination and upskilling: Design and deliver capacity-building programs for a broader audience within the banking sector.
• Development of a roadmap for regulatory adoption: Conduct assessments of regulatory frameworks, provide recommendations, and develop a phased implementation roadmap in coordination with regulators.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental management, engineering, social sciences, law, economics, business administration, international relations, or finance studies. A Master’s Degree in these areas is desirable. Candidates must have at least three years of professional experience in sustainable finance, sustainable finance taxonomies, disclosure frameworks, or related policy and regulatory fields. Prior experience working with financial institutions or in banking supervision is desirable, along with in-depth knowledge of the regulatory and supervisory framework of the Chilean banking sector. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to lead projects, perform qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and develop high-quality documents with clear recommendations and action plans. Familiarity with evaluation methodologies and the ability to design and deliver training programs tailored for technical and supervisory audiences are also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields such as environmental management, engineering, social sciences, law, economics, business administration, international relations, or finance studies. A Master’s Degree in these areas is desirable and would enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in sustainable finance, sustainable finance taxonomies, disclosure frameworks, or related policy and regulatory fields. Experience working with financial institutions or in banking supervision is desirable, particularly within the Latin America and the Caribbean region, and specifically in Chile. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage deliverables, and perform qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is required for this position. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful implementation of the Chilean Taxonomy.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for 12 months. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region and will collaborate closely with other international experts and relevant national stakeholders. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and it does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.