Programme Analyst – Insurance Programme

The UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a partnership between UN Environment and the global financial sector created in the wake of the 1992 Earth Summit with a mission to promote sustainable finance. Over 200 financial institutions, including banks, insurers and investors, work with UN Environment to understand today's environmental challenges, why they matter to finance, and how to actively participate in addressing them. www.unepfi.org

Endorsed by the UN Secretary-General and insurance industry CEOs, the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) serve as a global framework for the insurance industry to address environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities—and a global initiative to strengthen the insurance industry’s contribution as risk managers, insurers and investors to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities and economies. Developed by UN Environment Finance Initiative, the PSI was launched at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, and is the largest collaborative initiative between the UN and the insurance industry. www.unepfi.org/psi

In line with the work programme agreed by UNEP, and under the direction of Butch Bacani – UNEP Programme Officer for the UNEP FI Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI), the Consultant will assist with PSI programme management.

As risk managers, risk carriers and investors, the insurance industry is uniquely positioned to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability—in other words, sustainable development.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues—or sustainability issues—pose a shared risk to insurers, communities, businesses, cities, governments and society at large, providing a strong incentive for innovation and collaboration. Examples of sustainability issues include climate change, natural disasters, degradation of natural resources and ecosystems, pollution, negative impacts on heritage sites and native populations, illegal fishing, human rights violations, child and forced labour, poor health and safety, ageing populations, financial exclusion, lack of transparency, and corruption.

The four Principles for Sustainable Insurance, including a list of possible actions, provide a common aspiration and global framework for the insurance industry to manage ESG issues, and to strengthen its contribution to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities and economies. The Principles are structured according to the spheres of influence of an insurance company, from core business strategies and operations, through to business partners, governments, regulators and other key stakeholders. Furthermore, the Principles promote accountability and transparency.

Endorsed by the UN Secretary-General and insurance CEOs, the PSI was launched at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and has led to the largest collaborative initiative between the UN and the insurance industry. Today, the PSI has been adopted by over 120 insurance and stakeholder organisations worldwide, including insurers representing more than 25% of world premium volume and USD 14 trillion in assets under management.

As a global sustainability framework, the PSI is part of the insurance industry criteria of some of the most important sustainability indices, including the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), FTSE4Good, and Brazilian Corporate Sustainability Index. In the 2017 DJSI ranking of insurers, 11 of the top 12 insurers were PSI signatories. Moreover, the PSI is recognised in the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

The consultant will be responsible for assisting with the daily programme management of and required tasks to service the PSI Initiative and strengthen UNEP FI’s global activities across the financial sector in order to help achieve its goals, as set out in its work programme. This, in turn, will help PSI member institutions implement the Principles for Sustainable Insurance in their core business strategies and operations, and drive collaborative action and raise ambition on sustainability issues.

Specifically, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Support the Programme Officer in working together with PSI members and key stakeholders to promote sustainable insurance thinking and practices in the insurance industry, across risk management, insurance and investment
• Assist PSI members in their sustainable insurance activities . These activities include assisting the member’s with their internal policies on risk management, insurance and investment.
• Coordinate draft project briefs, proposals and other materials related to PSI collaborative initiatives
• Participate in the implementation of PSI priorities and work streams for 2019 including: driving climate action and ambition, managing ESG risks and opportunities in insurance underwriting, closing the insurance protection gap, life and health insurance business and sustainability issues, and updating and enhancing PSI marketing materials
• Coordinate the organisation and coordination PSI market events and relevant UNEP FI events
• Support the team to Reach out to potential PSI signatories and supporters to expand PSI membership and support the funding strategy of the PSI Initiative
• Contribute in organising PSI Board and PSI project team meetings and calls
• Assist with the delivery of regular PSI Secretariat updates and reports to the PSI Board and PSI membership on progress of the PSI Initiative
• Assist with the delivery of PSI annual public disclosures by PSI signatories
• Assist with PSI communication outputs for dissemination through various channels to raise awareness and contribute positively to the sustainable insurance agenda globally
• Support the team to create content for and update the PSI and UNEP FI websites with latest activities, events, projects and members’activities

Expected Outputs:

• PSI project implementation kept on track
• PSI value proposition and brand marketed clearly and effectively
• PSI and UNEP FI membership databases regularly monitored and updated
• Support given to existing UNEP FI Staff in developing a PSI strategy and implemented in line with financial sector-wide UNEP FI strategy.
• Successful implementation of PSI market events and relevant UNEP FI events
• Membership and stakeholder engagement strengthened through regular communications
• Materials for PSI Board and PSI project team meetings and calls prepared and sent in a timely manner

The consultant will carry out the following project tasks for UNEP FI to support the work programme and strategy of the PSI initiative.

a. Education 

Advanced university degree (master degree or equivalent in insurance, risk management, finance, business administration, economics, environmental/sustainability studies, international relations, law or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience. 

First level university degree (bachelor  or equivalent) in insurance, risk management, finance, business administration, economics, environmental/sustainability studies, international relations, law or related fields. with 4 years of relevant experience.

b. Work Experience

At least 2 years of relevant experience in the insurance industry, financial sector, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and/or consulting firms in the fields of insurance, finance and/or sustainability.

c. Language 

Fluently in English required for this position.

d. Key Competencies

Proven knowledge of the insurance business and key sustainability issues for the insurance industry; ability to cope with and manage multiple projects, events and other activities in an organised and timely manner; proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; excellent communication skills (spoken and written), including the ability to draft and edit various documents (e.g. reports, studies, communication materials); ability to work independently and proactively.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International ICA Level 1 (ICS-9)
Contract duration: 7 months

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

This position is based in Switzerland and the contract fee is not exempt from Swiss laws, including but not limited to laws regarding taxation, social security, accident and health insurance.