UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Nature and Social Junior Consultant
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic partnership between the UN and over 500 financial institutions. It drives the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and fostering a network of leading institutions. The Nature team focuses on integrating sustainability into financial markets, particularly concerning nature-based projects and policy engagement.
Job Purpose
This junior consultant role supports UNEP FI's Nature team in delivering project and policy engagement activities, specifically for the Revenues for Nature (R4N) project and broader nature-related policy work. The purpose is to enhance the team's capacity to advance its growing agenda, which includes developing knowledge products, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and supporting participation in major global policy events. The role contributes to aligning the financial industry with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that social and human rights considerations are integrated into nature finance.
Responsibilities
Provide research, drafting, and coordination support for the Revenues for Nature (R4N) project, contributing to at least one knowledge product and one stakeholder engagement activity. Backstop post-event engagement for major global policy events, including compiling records of engagements, synthesizing outcomes, coordinating follow-up actions, and assessing implications for the financial sector. Ensure all outputs reflect UN core values, such as human rights, leaving no one behind, and gender equality. Support the implementation of UNEP FI’s Social Action Plan. Prepare briefing and follow-up materials for the Nature team's participation in global policy events, including outcome notes relevant to the financial sector. Track and maintain follow-up actions from policy engagement activities.
Work Experience
Requires at least two years of experience in the environmental non-profit sector, financial services, public policy, commercial consulting, or academic research on sustainable finance. Experience in nature finance, nature markets, or social/human rights dimensions of nature-related finance is desirable. Experience with biodiversity markets, international policy processes, or working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities is an asset.
Skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work across diverse topics and manage multiple tasks efficiently. Attention to detail. Knowledge of nature finance and markets is desirable. Familiarity with social safeguards, human rights due diligence, or social action planning is desirable. Experience writing reports and briefing notes is beneficial.