United Nations Environment Programme is looking for a Programme Assistant

Organization: United Nations Environment Programme

Location: GENEVA

Level: CON - CON

Job Family: ENV

Application Deadline: 21 February 2026 at 04:59 UTC

Job Opening Number: 26-United Nations Environment Programme-272407-Consultant

Apply via: UN Inspira Portal

Result of Service

UNEP FI requires the Programme Assistant to work in tandem with subject matter experts, key stakeholders and UNEP FI Signatories to:

• Provide general support to the Global Policy Co-Lead with the coordination of the overall UNEP FI policy portfolio of activities;
• Produce and share regular analysis and mappings of policy and regulatory developments across regions and thematics affecting the banking and insurance sectors, and identify opportunities for UNEP FI to engage in and support progressive policy reform; with key areas constituting:
  • Nature-related regulation in the APAC region
  • Real economy policy development in the EU and it's relevance for the financial sector
• Produce relevant material to support the analysis and presentation to relevant stakeholders, such as webinars and blog posts;
• Support the coordination of on-going work related to the development of sustainable finance regulatory frameworks at country level, as relevant;
• Support relevant and regular stakeholder engagements including with policy makers, regulators and supervisory authorities, meeting material, analytical minutes of meetings as relevant;
• Support with the implementation of the UNEP FI global policy programme;
• Provide regular reporting to the policy team and management.

The consultant will also work as part of the UNEP FI Policy team, in close coordination with regional and/or thematic teams as relevant.

Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration

6 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 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.

Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and successful team working on this important and dynamic agenda. The successful candidate will play a critical role in delivering the UNEP FI's public policy strategy and global sustainable finance agenda.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks:

• Coordination of the overall UNEP FI policy portfolio of activities;
• Regular analysis and mappings of policy and regulatory developments across regions and thematics affecting the banking and insurance sectors, and identify opportunities for UNEP FI to engage in and support progressive policy reform; with key areas constituting:
  • Nature-related regulation in the APAC region
  • Real economy policy development in the EU and it's relevance for the financial sector
• Produce relevant material to support the analysis and presentation to relevant stakeholders, such as webinars and blog posts;
• Coordination of on-going work related to the development of sustainable finance regulatory frameworks at country level, as relevant;
• Relevant and regular stakeholder engagements including with policy makers, regulators and supervisory authorities, meeting material, analytical minutes of meetings as relevant;
• Implementation of the UNEP FI global policy programme;
• Reporting to the policy team and management.

Outputs and deliverables:

• Deliver the EU real economy brief on the transport sector
• Deliver the policy brief on nature-related regulation in China and the EU
• Deliver support on upcoming briefs of the EU real economy brief series
• Deliver blog posts to promote the respective briefs

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Officer responsible for Policy, UNEP FI.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master's Degree in the following areas: public administration, economics, law, business administration, international relations, sustainability science, administration or finance studies and/or marketing/communications is required. A bachelor's degree could be taken in lieu of master's degree provided the selected candidate has 4 years of relevant experience.

Professional experience: At least two (2) years of professional experience and expertise in sustainable finance policy and regulatory frameworks is required. Practical experience in supporting the intersection between sustainable development and finance is required. Ideally initial professional experience in the field of finance regulation with a focus on banking regulation, and in stakeholder engagement and management is an asset.

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

Special skills/Knowledge:

• Proven track record of contributing to policy change in sustainability, finance or a related field.
• Proven experience of working on sustainable finance would be highly advantageous.
• Excellent verbal presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• A collaborative and consultative approach to others.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail. The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable.
• Reliable and delivers consistently high quality within agreed timeframes. Colleagues, external partners and constituents/clients trust the candidate because they follow through on commitments towards others. Well-organized self-starter with proven ability to move multi-stakeholder processes and initiatives forward at a good pace. Can motivate others and develop inclusive structures and processes that cater to the needs of clients/constituents and create ownership. Team player understands work as contributing to an overall objective, not an end in itself. Can adapt behavior and style of communication to different cultural contexts.
• Motivated and driven by the purpose the team/organization is working towards and the impacts they are trying to achieve.

While we do our best in sharing high quality job postings, Jobs in Geneva can't guarantee or be made responsible for the content in the postings (e.g. specified deadlines or links).