Programme Officer

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic public-private partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with over 200 financial institutions, signatories to UNEP Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on Sustainable Development, and a range of partners and organizations, to embed environmental, social and governance considerations in financial decision-making. Through its industry, thematic and regional activities, UNEP FI promotes the adoption of sustainability practices by financial institutions and the finance sector at large.

The consultant will support the implementation of the activities of UNEP FI’s banking, investment and insurance commitees, from a social issues perspective. The consultant will work with UNEP FI members, UNEP FI thematic, industry and regional coordinators, as well as relevant governance bodies (in particular the Social Issues Advisory Board), to make sure that UNEP FI’s social issues activities reflect the needs and interests of the members, match UNEP priorities, and are delivered in accordance with UNEP FI’s social issues and human rights strategy for 2017-2019, and UNEP FI overarching strategy.  

In line with the work programme agreed at UNEP FI Annual General Meeting and approved by UNEP, and under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer for the Industry Commissions and the Regions and the overall direction of the Head of UNEP FI, the Consultant will support the implementation of UNEP FI annual work plan through the following project tasks.

The Consultant will support UNEP FI with the planning, delivery, monitoring and communication of UNEP FI activities on social issues and human rights, based on the work stream strategy and work plan. The Consultant will operate under the direction of UNEP FI Head and Deputy Head. Though not limited to it, the consultant will contribute to the planning, implementation and reporting of UNEP FI work related to strengthening the role of finance in putting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in practice, through a social issues and human rights lens.

 Specifically the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Building on the proposal for UNEP FI’s new direction on social issues / human rights shared with UNEP FI Global Steering Committee at 2016 AGM, support UNEP FI in securing validation of the social issues and human rights strategy for 2017-2020, and respective work plan;
• Provide substantive inputs and operational support in the delivery of UNEP FI’s activities for 2017 in the areas of (a) mainstreaming social issues across UNEP FI work programme;
  (b) updating and consolidating the UNEP FI online Human Rights Guidance Tool for the Financial Sector; (c) coordinating UNEP FI agenda with relevant finance and human rights stakeholders and standard-setting processes; and (d) providing a coordinated response and building a community of expertise on finance and social issues within UNEP FI membership.
• Engage with financial institutions, members and non-members, as well as other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of UNEP FI social issues strategy, and to support the delivery of industry, thematic and regional activities from a social issues and human rights perspective. In particular, contributing to the objective of gradually building a network of ‘social issues champions’ within the membership, (a) continue to identify and strengthen relations with members across industries and regions committed to understanding, incorporating and promoting the ‘social’ pillar of sustainability; (b) feed their knowledge and expertise in the delivery of UNEP FI social issues strategy; (c) link best practices with the wider UNEP FI membership, in particular within regions. This also implies that the consultant will participate in active engagement with UNEP FI regional coordinators, to link the ‘global’ UNEP FI strategy on social issues to regional needs, priorities and good practice.
• Liaise internally, and support UNEP FI efforts to synchronize the industry, thematic and regional agendas with UNEP and UN priorities in the area of social issues and human rights; contribute to relevant internal reporting;
• Support UNEP FI communication efforts, to provide content on social issues and human rights as relevant for finance through UNEP FI website, newsletter, targeted member communication, industry and regional calls, etc.
• Perform other tasks, as necessary.

Deliverables

• Coordination of social issues activities across the Industry Commissions and the Regions. Mobilise and coordinate members’ ideas/requests. Link the interests in the Regions to working group and commission activities and coordinate members in the Regions to participate in such activities.
• Act as the members’ focal point. Identify and react to the individual needs of each member.
• Support the management of regular and close communications with UNEP FI’s members, commissions and regional task forces via e-mails, conference calls, and in-person meetings on all social issues topics.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as policymakers and regulators, international and multilateral organisations, non-governmental organisations, industry initiatives and associations, academia, and public and private financial institutions.
• Liaise closely with the Communications team to coordinate awareness raising and outreach activities on social issues across Industry Commissions and Regions.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• UNEP FI Social Issues and Human Rights strategy submitted to Global Steering Committee in February 2017, and validated;
• Key areas of strategy focus (social issues mainstreaming across UNEP FI programme; UNEP FI human rights guidance tool maintenance; building synergies with external processes; developing work stream communication and a community of practice) delivered as per work plan priorities validated with the GSC;
• Effective support provided to UNEP FI external relations management efforts, with regard to member engagement on social issues;
• Contribution to UNEP FI communication outputs and tools, through timely, accurate and updated information on social issues. 

• Minimum of five years of work experience in the area of sustainable business development; practice in working with financial institutions to promote sustainable development experience in project management at international level; 
• Experience working with financial institutions on human rights and social issues is an asset.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

APPLICANTS SHOULD INCLUDE A COVER LETTER WITH THEIR SUBMISSION.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.