UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Head of Risk

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic partnership between the UN and over 500 financial institutions, driving the international sustainable finance agenda. It helps align private finance with sustainable development goals by engaging institutions committed to frameworks like the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI). The role sits within the Risk Centre, established to provide members with expertise on environmental and social risks.

Job Purpose

This role serves to scale up UNEP's programming on climate, nature, and other emerging sustainability risks within the financial sector. The Head of Risk will lead the Risk Centre, providing state-of-the-art knowledge and a convening space for peers and partners. The purpose is to ensure financial institutions have access to the best available, science-based information and apply best practices in risk management, aligning with frameworks like PRB and PSI. The role will also support knowledge sharing and capacity building for policymakers and regulators to advance technical approaches to risk management on sustainability issues for financial stability, thereby strengthening the financial industry's contribution to sustainable development and climate commitments.

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver a robust work programme for the Risk Centre, convening stakeholders to create cutting-edge, science-based content on sustainability-related risk solutions and prudential risk management. Conduct technical reviews of materials to ensure high-quality deliverables and a coherent approach to risk management for banks and insurers. Assess financial institutions' needs regarding environmental and social risks, advancing integrated risk management for future resilience. Clarify the business case for integrating sustainability into risk management processes. Establish and leverage risk-related partnerships with service providers, modelers, and academic institutions. Develop resources to support banks in advancing sustainability risk management and promote UNEP FI Risk outputs. Support industry, policy, regulation, thematic, and regional teams in proposal development and delivery to advance sustainability risk management in the financial sector.

Work Experience

At least eight years of experience in financial services within a risk-related role or commercial consulting is required. Experience should be relevant to examining climate/environmental risks and financial sector policies/regulation. Experience with financial institutions adopting TCFD/TNFD frameworks for integrating climate/nature into risk processes is ideal.

Skills

Risk management, financial services, climate/environmental risks, financial sector policies and regulation, TCFD/TNFD frameworks, ESG/sustainability data and analytics, model development, database subsystems, banking risk processes, client-focused orientation, sustainability, financial risks, environmental regulation and reporting, data platforms and databases for risk management.

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