Technical Legal Expert to Support Costa Rica and Panama Regulation on Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and on Climate-Related Financial Risks
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. UNEP's Economy Division encourages sustainable practices. UNEP FI is a partnership between the UN and financial institutions, driving the international sustainable finance agenda and aligning the financial industry with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to support Costa Rica and Panama in developing regulations for their Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and climate-related financial risk frameworks. The role involves providing technical-legal analysis, criteria, and draft regulatory text for competent authorities. The objective is to transition from voluntary approaches to regulated frameworks, aligning financial flows with climate change goals and the Paris Agreement, ultimately contributing to national climate strategies and global environmental objectives.
Responsibilities
The Technical Legal Expert will prepare the legal framework, criteria, and legal opinions on regulatory authority for financial superintendencies in Costa Rica and Panama. This includes conducting technical-legal analysis and comparative law studies of international practices. The expert will draft proposed regulatory text for the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and climate-related financial risk framework, incorporating feedback from national authorities and ensuring consistency with technical inputs. Key tasks involve engaging with legal areas of financial superintendencies, coordinating with other consultants, and working under the guidance of Project Coordination Units to meet deliverable schedules.
Work Experience
Requires seven years of demonstrated work experience in advising public or private sector projects in Costa Rica or Panama, focusing on laws, regulation, or legal consultancy. Experience with regulatory processes involving financial supervisory authorities in Central America (specifically Panama or Costa Rica) and at least two years of experience in environmental regulation are necessary. Profound knowledge of the legal framework in Costa Rica and Panama is essential.
Skills
Legal analysis, regulatory development, comparative law studies, stakeholder engagement, technical writing, project management, communication, teamwork, initiative, sound judgment, time management, conflict management, decision-making, and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual meeting platforms.