Sustainable Finance Professional

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 at the forefront of environmental governance and policy-making, working with governments, civil society, and the private sector to foster sustainable development through sound environmental practices. UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees, dedicated to addressing the world's most pressing environmental challenges. The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers, and investors, aiming to promote sustainable finance and align the financial industry with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through its initiatives, UNEP FI has been instrumental in shaping the sustainable finance agenda globally, providing guidance, resources, and a platform for collaboration among financial institutions.

Job Overview:
The Sustainable Finance Professional will play a crucial role in driving the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) worktrack, focusing on engaging clients on sustainability impacts, risks, and opportunities. This position requires a commercially minded professional who can effectively bridge sustainability expertise with front-office banking realities. The consultant will support banks in translating their sustainability ambitions into practical client engagement strategies and business opportunities. The role involves working closely with commercial clients from high-impact sectors and SMEs, ensuring that sustainability commitments are transformed into actionable business practices. The consultant will lead strategic workstreams, develop business-oriented approaches to sustainability engagement, and facilitate collaboration between sustainability teams and front-office banking units. The overarching goal is to enhance client engagement practices and support the transition to a sustainable economy through effective banking strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Sustainable Finance Professional will be responsible for leading and coordinating strategic workstreams under the PRB worktrack, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, digital infrastructure, data centres, and AI. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing commercially relevant approaches to sustainability engagement for client-facing banking functions, emphasizing sustainability-related business opportunities and risks.
• Supporting banks in embedding sustainability considerations into client coverage, product development, and risk management processes.
• Building and growing a network of client-facing banking professionals through peer exchanges and workshops.
• Creating practical materials such as client engagement scripts, sector playbooks, and training resources for commercial teams.
• Liaising with external knowledge partners to incorporate relevant expertise into banking practices.
• Collaborating with UNEP FI teams to align with the broader banking strategy and work programme. Deliverables include successful workstream sessions, an active network of banking professionals, and practical client engagement materials.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong client-facing and commercial mindset, with experience working closely with front-office banking teams. A deep understanding of sustainable finance and the banking landscape is essential, including knowledge of credit and risk processes, portfolio management, and product development. The ability to translate complex sustainability issues into commercially relevant narratives is crucial. Candidates should also have experience in designing client engagement strategies and sustainable finance solutions within banking environments. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups are necessary for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in business, finance, environment, banking, or sustainability is required for this position. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree may be accepted if the candidate has at least 9 years of relevant experience in a related field. This educational background ensures that the candidate has a solid foundation in the principles of finance and sustainability, which are critical for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of experience in a commercial banking role, which may include corporate, SME, or investment banking. Experience in a client-facing capacity is preferred, along with demonstrated expertise in sustainable finance, ESG integration, or sustainability strategy. A strong understanding of the sustainable finance landscape, including relevant regulatory and policy frameworks, is an asset that will enhance the candidate's effectiveness in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as it is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the organization and its initiatives.

Additional Notes:
This position is expected to be remote and has an anticipated duration of six months, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and organizational needs. The role is designed for a full-time commitment, and the consultant will report to the Head of UNEP FI and the Co-Head of Banking. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.