United Nations Environment Programme is looking for a Social and Just Transition Specialist (Remote; Spanish-speaking)

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-272405-Consultant

Apply via: UN Inspira Portal

Result of Service

UNEP FI works with members and partners to embed social and human rights into mainstream finance. The Social and Human Rights team supports the work of UNEP FI by ensuring alignment with the three core values of the United Nations — human rights, inclusion, and gender equality.

Work Location

Working remotely / Home-based

Expected duration

4 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 support gender mainstreaming across UNEP FI and the implementation of UNEP FI's social and human rights strategy across banking and insurance, with a focus on gender.

Objectives:

The consultant will:

• keep UNEP FI social website and internal knowledge center updated.
• Publish the gender action plan for UNEP FI and implement it
• Global and regional workshops/webinars/peer exchanges delivered on social issues.
• Support with Gender Action Plan for teams as needed

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

The Specialist will provide assistance in the following project/tasks for UNEP FI's social and human rights work:

• Support the different thematic, regional and industry teams to ensure gender is mainstreamed across UNEP FI
• Support the implementation of UNEP FI social and human rights strategy and work plan, engaging with work stream leads, members as well as other stakeholders in the planning and implementation. Engage governance bodies on social issues work plan. Particularly work on Gender. Provide inputs and operational support in the delivery of UNEP FI's strategy and work plan for 2026 in the areas of Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance implementation support, working closely with the Banking Team and Insurance Teams. Particularly work on Gender.
• Support the delivery of industry, thematic and regional activities from a social issues and human rights perspective.
• Support UNEP FI communication, to provide content on social issues and human rights as relevant for finance through newsletter, targeted member communication, industry and regional calls, etc.
• Update and maintain the social issues pages of the UNEP FI website.
• Support UNEP's Social and Human Rights lead to build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer, UNEP FI and the consultant will be working in close coordination with other UNEP FI's team leads.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master's degree in social, human rights, or a related field is required. A bachelor's degree could be taken in lieu of master's degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience: At least five (5) years of professional experience in social issues, particularly on Human Rights, with specific expertise in just transition or the general connection between climate/environment and social issues is required. Experience in the LAC region is highly desirable.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: Substantial experience (min. 7 years) and expertise in Social impacts, particularly on human rights, and how it is connected to environmental impacts, and experience in working with private/public sector entities on how to address negative and increase positive impact. Understanding of how banks' business activities relate to and influence environmental and social outcomes. Well, acquainted with current issues and developments related to just transition and sustainable banking globally and regionally. Understanding of the LAC region context, including working experience in the region.

Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and Spanish, strong interpersonal skills; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail. The Specialist 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 follows through on commitments towards others. Team player understands work as contributing to an overall objective, not an end. Can adapt behaviour 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.

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