UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Senior EU Policy Engagement Expert
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic partnership between the UN and over 500 financial institutions. It shapes the international sustainable finance agenda and promotes alignment with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. This role supports the European Commission's competitiveness agenda by helping the finance industry mobilize capital for a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive European economy.
Job Purpose
This role is crucial for advancing UNEP FI's engagement with EU policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions to finance a sustainable European economy. The Senior EU Policy Engagement Expert will operationalize key activities focused on building a value proposition for sectoral policy engagement for banks and promoting innovative finance solutions. The purpose is to bridge the gap between EU industrial policies and the financial sector's capacity to mobilize capital at scale, supporting initiatives like the EU Green Deal, industrial decarbonization, and the circular economy. The role ensures that UN core values, including a human rights-based approach and gender equality, are integrated into all activities, contributing to a just and sustainable transition.
Responsibilities
The Senior EU Policy Engagement Expert will coordinate policy team engagement with EU processes like the Green Deal and Clean Industrial Deal, building relationships with key stakeholders including the European Commission and financial institutions. Responsibilities include developing sectoral policy engagement frameworks, toolkits, and guidance for banks, and producing policy briefs. The role involves facilitating expert sessions and dialogues to align policy and finance. Additionally, it requires coordinating the identification and scaling of innovative financial instruments, ensuring alignment with EU policy frameworks and public financing instruments. The expert will provide technical advice on how policy design impacts bankability and capital mobilization, and represent UNEP FI in relevant EU platforms and working groups, ensuring integrated delivery of outputs and adherence to UN core values.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of professional experience in investment/lending, development finance, investment banking, banking regulation, supervision, or sustainable finance is required. At least five years of experience within the banking sector, particularly in a European policy and banking context, is advantageous.
Skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, public speaking ability, professional network among financial sector regulators and policymakers, ability to travel, self-starter, and collaborative team player.