Japan: Programme Officer - Outreach, Engagement & Coordination in Japan

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic public-private partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with over 200 financial institutions, signatories to UNEP Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on Sustainable Development, and a range of partners and organizations, to embed environmental, social and governance considerations in financial decision-making. Through its industry, thematic and regional activities, UNEP FI promotes the adoption of sustainability practices by financial institutions and the finance sector at large.
The consultant will work with UNEP FI members, the UNEP FI programme managers, UNEP FI investment industry lead, UNEP FI banking team and regional coordinators, UNEP FI partners and contractors, as well as relevant governance bodies, to disseminate, promote and communicate UNEP FI’s work across Japan by consultations, research, training workshops, and special meetings/events. The consultant will also work on network-building for information and best practice sharing between financial institutions and with key stakeholders is at the core of the regional work.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

In line with the work programme agreed at UNEP FI Annual General Meeting and approved by UNEP, and under the direction of Asia Pacific Regional Co-ordinator Yuki Yasui, in close cooperation with Liesel van Ast, UNEP FI Membership and Regional Co-ordination Manager, the Consultant will work on the implementation of UNEP FI annual work plan through the following project task in coordination with Industry and Thematic Lead.

The consultant will work with UNEP FI to engage with its membership in Japan stimulating involvement of members in defining and delivering UNEP FI projects (consultations, surveys, training, research etc.). They will also enable UNEP FI to identify and deliver complementary activities specifically for the country and region if/as necessary through close collaboration with Industry Coordinators and Thematic advisory groups. Specifically, the consultant will allow UNEP FI to attract Japanese members & stakeholders to provide inputs to projects, communicate progress and disseminate outputs. Finally, they will ensure UNEP FI’s presence and involvement in key national events and conferences and Japanese members’ involvement in UNEP FI’s work plan and Regional Roundtable.

Specifically, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Develop and execute an agreed work plan in Japan including, contributing Japanese elements of Asia Pacific work plan.
• Contribute to the implementation of UNEP FI’s strategies and work plan for 2018/19, including engaging members in the global and regional work programme, supporting communications, knowledge-sharing on country-specific priorities, awareness raising of sustainable banking/insurance investment developments and facilitating peer-to-peer learning.
• Undertake outreach to engage Japanese members and non-member financial institutions on opportunities to be involved in UNEP FI projects and activities for the Principles for Responsible Banking, Positive Impact Finance, TCFD, Natural Capital, Fiduciary Duty and Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, and PSI initiatives.
• Support translation and dissemination of outputs where required and respond to requests from Japanese signatories, increasing UNEP FI visibility, membership retention and growth in Japan.
• Monitor the involvement of members, by tracking the number of activities, workshops, and working groups that members from Japan take part in through their involvement in the FI global work programme. Track which members have participated in which UNEP FI activity and engage with those who have been inactive.
• Inform UNEP FI Secretariat of relevant members’ news.
• Contribute updates to regional web page and update Japanese members’ profiles and latest sustainability reports on UNEP FI website.
• Maintain contacts list for Japanese members and update status of pipeline of potential members.
• Contribute to collaborative agenda setting, knowledge sharing and awareness raising on the sustainable finance agenda with financial centre actors and public bodies and other relevant Japanese stakeholders, building on UNEP FI’s network in Japan.
• Aim to meet a target for 95% membership retention in Japan, and to assist the Secretariat with growth in membership in 2019.

Expected Outputs:

• Work plan for Japan finalized and implementation underway.
• Members in Japan informed on UNEP FI’s sustainable finance agenda and activities. UNEP FI ecretariat informed of Japanese members’ priorities and supported on engagement with members’ on strategy and work plan implementation.
• Endorsement secured for the Principles for Responsible Banking from key influencers and financial institutions.
• Key communications materials translated and disseminated in Japanese. Regular newsletters and project-specific communications are disseminated to Japanese signatories.
• Regular conference calls/webinars/meetings organised with members and global members’ subsidiaries in Japan on priority sustainable finance topics, with expert guest speakers contributing where relevant to address Japanese members’ knowledge sharing requests. Preparation for the events including Agenda, background documents and List of participants will be finalised.
• Information shared with Regional Co-ordinator on member involvement in activities in Japan, and participation in the global and regional work programme. Inactive members engaged.
• Knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning undertaken through events/ workshops/meetings.
• Japanese members’ participate in global work programme through involvement in projects, consultations or webinars or uptake of outputs such as guidelines, principles and tools, methodologies relevant to priorities in Japan.
• Japanese members participate in Asia Pacific Regional Roundtable in 2019.
• UNEP FI website updated with key information on members and activities in Japan.
• Secretariat informed of members’ sustainable finance news and information on members’ and potential members’ maintained.
• Information sharing and collaboration undertaken with partners and key stakeholders including relevant industry associations, Ministries, PRI, PFA, FSA, the International Network of Financial Centres for Sustainability and in relation to the enabling environment for sustainable finance and market leadership in Japan.
• UNEP FI membership maintained and expanded in Japan by 3 new members in 2019 (banking, investment and/or insurance).

Monitoring and Project Controls

The consultant will carry out the following project tasks for UNEP FI in Japan in coordination with the Asia Pacific Coordinator.

• Planning: Handle UNEP FI’s strategy work plan and activities and support the Secretariat, in particular the Asia Pacific coordinator and the industry coordinators, in developing and assisting in executing an agreed work plan in Japan including assisting in identifying opportunities, mobilizing resources and project managing activities in Japan.
• Coordination: Engaging with UNEP FI’s membership in Japan, as per guidance from UNEP FI, ensuring membership retention and growth, supporting delivery of UNEP FI projects, and promoting uptake of project deliverables. Identifying and assisting in delivering complementary activities to promote the sustainable finance agenda and facilitate peer-to-peer learning. Specifically, attract Japanese members & stakeholders to provide inputs to projects, communicate progress, disseminate outputs and exchange knowledge. Develop partnerships to mobilise resources for sustainable finance activities and engage members in defining outputs.
• Communication: Carry out communication activities in Japan, with the guidance from UNEP FI, which aims to disseminate information about the Initiative’s projects and activities and promote membership dialogue, stimulating knowledge exchange and network engagement. Prepare annual UNEP FI meetings in Japan and stimulate participation of UNEP FI’s regional events such as the Regional roundtable. Engage members in consultations and disseminate outputs from the global work programme across banking, insurance and investment. Ensure members’ profiles are up-to-date on UNEP FI’s website and include recent sustainability reports. Engage members in UNEP FI webinars and activities.
• Member Relations and Outreach: work with the FI Secretariat on its member relationship management activities in Japan including recruiting financial institutions to expand the reach of the initiative in key markets in Japan. Hold regular member coordination meetings at least quarterly and at least one group face-to-face meeting with UNEP FI members. Increase number of membership by minimum of 2 financial institutions. Assist UNEP FI to identify and engage high-level thought leaders in sustainable finance in the financial sector to contribute to advancing UNEP FI’s strategy. Engage members in the development of UNEP FI’s regional work plan.
• Workshops and Events: work with the FI Secretariat on coordinating UNEP FI events and meetings in Japan and contributing to awareness raising events around Sustainable Finance in the region. Mobilise members for UN Environment financial centre network activities and events.
• Stakeholder Engagement: work with the FI Secretariat on building and maintaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, such as policymakers and regulators, as well as other international/multilateral organisations, non-governmental organisations, industry initiatives and associations, and academia to advance the dialogue around Sustainable. Ensure UNEP FI’s presence and involvement in key national events and conferences.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Master’s degree in economics, finance, environmental studies, international relations, business administration or related fields.

• Bachelors’ university degree in the fields noted above accepted with an additional two (2) years of experience.

Work Experience

• At least five years of work experience, especially in international organisations, the financial services sector, private sector or NGOs examining the intersection between sustainability and finance.

Key Competencies & Language

• Proven skills in building and managing relationships with a variety of private and public stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• To discern common denominators in a diverse set of point of views;
• To rapidly capture ideas, synthesize and translate concepts into real outputs.
• Proven knowledge in the fields of sustainable finance and the environment;
• Financial services sector, knowledge/experience of the regional context.
• Ability to cope with comprehensive work programmes, multiple projects and activities in an organized and timely manner.
• Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills;
• Excellent communication skills, spoken and written, including the ability to draft and edit a variety of materials (communication materials, agendas, studies etc.).
• Fluency in Japanese is required for this position.
• The incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision, must have significant latitude to be self-directed and be highly motivated.

Click on the link below:

https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=17520