Consultant for Climate Capacity Building

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. Established in 1972, UNEP has been instrumental in shaping the global environmental landscape for over 50 years. It operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of individuals dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and policies. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works closely with governments, local authorities, and industries to foster a more sustainable future.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in building climate institutional capacity for the financial services sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. This position involves working directly with UNEP FI's climate, banking, and regional teams to conduct comprehensive analyses of existing climate capabilities within financial institutions. The consultant will identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, scope and prioritize climate capacity-building needs, and facilitate the delivery of targeted training and capacity-building activities. The overarching goal is to support banks and other financial institutions in their climate journey, ensuring they are equipped to align with global standards and contribute to sustainable development goals. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including banks, insurers, and asset owners, to raise awareness and build capacity across the climate journey, ultimately driving the financial sector towards decarbonization and sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including: driving engagement with financial institutions to build awareness and capacity regarding climate issues; conducting regional and country analyses to identify existing capabilities and gaps in net zero initiatives; scoping and prioritizing climate capacity-building needs based on regional data; developing a climate capacity-building plan that leverages UNEP FI's resources; designing and preparing training materials tailored to specific regions; delivering capacity-building workshops and activities; organizing events to accelerate financial sector decarbonization; mapping local stakeholders and fostering collaboration; conducting maturity analyses of emissions data capabilities; and preparing reporting materials to evaluate progress and inform future planning. The consultant will work closely with UNEP FI's climate and regional teams to ensure alignment and effective implementation of activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a thorough understanding of the climate agenda for the financial services sector, including emerging trends and best practices. They should have a deep understanding of climate concepts relevant to financial institutions, including physical and transition risks, carbon accounting, climate commitment frameworks, and international sustainable finance taxonomies. Familiarity with UNEP FI's climate initiatives and tools, such as the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), is essential. Additionally, candidates should have strong stakeholder management skills, the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, and experience in project planning and management.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in finance, banking, economic development, sustainable finance, climate finance, climate technologies, sustainable development, international relations, political sciences, or a related field is required. A master’s degree may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, provided the candidate has at least four years of relevant experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of six years of working experience with financial institutions in areas related to net zero, climate finance, and capacity building or training. Previous experience in the target region of Latin America and the Caribbean is highly desirable, as it will provide valuable context and understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities present in these markets.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and Spanish is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of Portuguese is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of nine months. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Climate Team Lead. The role involves collaboration with various teams within UNEP FI and requires strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders and foster partnerships. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.