UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Technical Specialist Consultant - Colombia

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, promoting sustainable development. Its Economy Division encourages policies for sustainable consumption and production. UNEP FI is a strategic partnership with over 500 financial institutions, driving the sustainable finance agenda for 34 years. This role sits within UNEP FI's Nature team, focusing on integrating nature into the financial sector.

Job Purpose

The consultant's purpose is to significantly advance UNEP FI's strategic objectives by integrating nature into the financial sector's core decision-making processes, specifically within Colombia. This involves supporting the practical application of the ENCORE tool and developing replicable case studies that showcase best practices for financial institutions. The role will provide concrete examples of how banks can integrate biodiversity considerations into their risk management and operational frameworks. Through targeted capacity-building and training programs, the consultant will help operationalize the Nature team's strategy to mainstream nature across Colombian financial institutions, aligning their strategies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This effort will enhance skills, foster positive contributions to global sustainability targets, and provide a proof of concept for an advanced capacity-building program, demonstrating the value of nature integration in finance and setting a foundation for scaling similar efforts globally.

Responsibilities

The consultant will enhance the applicability of the ENCORE tool by supporting the development of a framework and case studies to aggregate and interpret analyses, providing insights into nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities for Colombian banks. This includes collaborating with the ENCORE partnership to tailor its application. A core responsibility is to provide capacity-building support to PRB signatory banks, enabling portfolio-wide nature assessments, developing guidance on interpreting nature-related issues, and creating frameworks for informed decision-making and strategic planning. The consultant will demonstrate the PRB Nature Guidance for setting practice-level targets, facilitating action plans and roadmaps, and conducting board awareness-raising sessions. They will compile case studies from the Colombian financial sector to illustrate TNFD reporting maturity. Furthermore, the role involves accelerating the integration of nature into risk management and sustainable finance by developing tailored engagement strategies and training sessions. This includes expanding and tailoring the PRB Nature Sector Action Guidance for Colombia, assisting in designing engagement tools for assessing nature-related risks and opportunities, and compiling case studies demonstrating replication for the broader Latin American financial sector. Finally, the consultant will lead sharing sessions with the financial sector and the UNEP FI PRB nature community, fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination, and ensuring senior leadership engagement.

Work Experience

At least five years of progressively responsible work experience related to the financial sector, biodiversity, and natural capital is required. Preferred experience includes environmental risk assessments for the private sector, particularly in agriculture, providing technical assistance to financial institutions in Colombia, and designing/delivering strategic projects. Experience in ESG risk assessments, due diligence processes, credit risk management, and scenario analysis, with a focus on climate- and nature-related aspects, is also desirable. Proven experience in capacity building or developing learning materials, with regional experience in Colombia or Latin America, is preferred.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English are essential, alongside strong interpersonal abilities and digital technology proficiency. The role requires adeptness at managing multiple tasks with strong attention to detail. Key competencies include credibility in working with senior professionals on environmental issues, particularly in risk assessments, and comfort working with large datasets. Strong soft skills are vital: being positive, enthusiastic, self-driven, confident in engaging stakeholders, demonstrating excellent collaboration, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, and being autonomous, proactive, and professional. Expertise in capital markets and sustainable finance products is a valuable addition.

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