United Nations Environment Programme is looking for an APAC Regional Associate

Organization: United Nations Environment Programme

Location: GENEVA

Level: CON - CON

Job Family: ENV

Application Deadline: 27 February 2026 at 04:59 UTC

Job Opening Number: 26-United Nations Environment Programme-272729-Consultant

Apply via: UN Inspira Portal

Result of Service

UNEP FI needs a consultant to support the Asia Pacific Regional Lead in supporting the implementation of UNEP FI's strategy to mobilise sustainable finance in APAC. The support coordinator will be supporting the outreach to banks to become signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and insurers to join the Principles for Sustainable Insurance. The consultant will be responsible for supporting relationship management with UNEP FI secretariat, and members to engage them to participate in UNEP FI's work programme, promote leadership, capacity building, raise awareness and share knowledge. The consultant will establish and maintain partnerships to promote training and other capacity building opportunities to advance sustainable finance. The consultant will support the APAC Regional Lead to develop UNEP FI's coordination plan for APAC and engage supporting institutions in accelerating sustainable finance. The consultant will liaise with industry associations, regulators and supervisors, relevant networks and other key stakeholders in the region, as well as coordinating events and convening meetings with financial institutions. The consultant will support the Secretariat on member communications on sustainable finance in the region and maintain regional information on UNEP FI's website and will provide the Secretariat with information on members' news and priorities to accelerate sustainable finance market practice in the APAC region. The consultant will support the UN Environment Secretariat as required. e.g. surveys, briefings, meetings. The consultant will also support the financial sector engagement in Indonesia, working closely to banks, financial regulators, industry association and other key stakeholders. The consultant will also support the integration with other UNEP finance activities in Indonesia.

Work Location

Working remotely / Home-based

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The overall objective of the UNEP's Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 32 years UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

UNEP FI needs a consultant to assist with all their communications requirements, including digital, web-based, print and currently does not have the relevant professional expertise internally.

Objectives:

• Delivery of capacity-building events for financial institutions.
• Support the delivery of regional capacity-building activities.
• Support the expansion of PRB and PSI membership in the APAC Region
• Implementation of activities in Indonesia

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

The Consultant will carry out the following project tasks for UNEP FI.

• Support APAC Regional Lead in coordination of the workplan
• Support in the development and implementation outreach and coordination plan for the region.
• Assist in updating and implementing the work plan for APAC and contribute to the regional work programme, aligned with UNEP FI's global work programme.
• Identify key markets and focus activities on mobilising sustainable finance across the region
• Maintain member, supporting institution and key stakeholder contact information and follow up on members' fee payments.
• Facilitate relationships with UNEP FI members and increase banking and insurance membership in the region while liaising with other teams' members in the region
• Assist with the management of regular communications with UNEP FI's members via e-mails, conference calls, and in-person meetings; update the APAC regional section on UNEP FI's website.
• Consult, with the guidance of UNEP FI, members on activities in the region, hold regular and focussed calls with members to advance sustainable finance priorities.
• Raise awareness of sustainable finance and disseminate UNEP FI materials/information to members and key stakeholders in APAC and promote consultations/surveys/research findings.
• Support adoption and implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance in APAC through peer exchanges and knowledge sharing.
• Assist in engaging members to participate in the global work programme and sustainable finance network activities, including projects and knowledge sharing.
• Support implementation of sustainable finance activities in Indonesia for financial institutions, regulators and key stakeholders
• Work close to UNEP Indonesia in other finance initiatives
• Raise awareness of project outputs from the industry and thematic workstreams and engage members in opportunities to get involved through email and virtual communications channels.
• Promote uptake of UNEP FI guidance and tools, such as guidance on target setting on financial inclusion, biodiversity and gender equality and ESG in underwriting guidelines.
• Support organization of the Global Roundtable and UNEP FI events in the region. Assist in securing sponsorship/delivery/media partners for Global Roundtable. Promote financial sector participation in AGM and relevant activities, meetings and UNEP FI events.
• Support development and implementation of outreach to engage financial institutions in priority countries in sustainable finance activities.
• Assist the preparation of missions by UNEP delegates in the region.
• Assist in the facilitation of cross-regional network engagement in co-ordination with UNEP FI's regional co-ordination team.
• Contribute to reporting on progress to donors/partners, facilitate contact with stakeholders on the ground and help in organizing meetings to discuss engagement. This includes drafting of concept note/outline highlighting objectives and incentives for engagement.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Governance and Membership Team Lead, UNEP FI and the consultant will work closely with the UNEP FI APAC Regional Lead.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master's degree in one or several of the following areas: finance, business administration, economics, urban studies, science, social sciences, environmental studies or sustainable development is required. A bachelor's degree could be taken in lieu of master's degree provided the selected candidate has 9 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience: At least seven (7) years working experience in finance and/or sustainable development is required. Knowledge of and experience in sustainable banking is considered a strong advantage.

Languages

Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: Knowledge of project development and planning; Good coordination, organization and planning skills, with the ability to work under pressure; Manages competing demands and changes approach or methods to suit the situation. The candidate should have a good knowledge of banking sector or sustainable finance.

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