Result of Service
UNEP FI needs a consultant with experience of Islamic finance and climate and sustainability issues to work on reviewing, restructuring & redrafting, and editing of the aforementioned reports. A main focus of the work will be on ensuring:
Work Location
- clarity of language from a technical standpoint,
- clarity of argument,
- the Islamic finance basis of the research and discussion is in line with international best practice,
- references to international, regional and national climate finance guidelines and frameworks are up-to-date and correct,
- the use of case studies is relevant to the MENA region and to the target audience of Islamic finance institutions, and provides necessary and additional context to the report,
- the guidelines clearly draw on the analysis,
- optimimizing the structure and flow of the publications for a financial industry audience of Islamic banks and banks with Islamic windows in the MENA region, as well as public stakeholders such as policy makers and finance sector regulators, and the finance industry at large.
Working remotely
Expected duration2 months
Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 450 banks, insurers and investors. For over 28 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 is strongly engaged in the Middle East and North Africa, where climate change poses a big challenge and considerable risks to the finance sector. Equally, the region has a vested interest in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; in particular those that help deal with the interlinked water-energy-food challenges, and goals that foster Agenda 2030 in general. Central to the delivery of the sustainability and climate agendas are private financial institutions and particularly banks. Islamic banks are already important parts of the financial system in much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and have a growing presence in north Africa.
Against this background, UNEP FI engaged a consultant to develop a study of Islamic Banking in the MENA region and how they are tackling climate finance particularly in key countries Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, UAE, and Tunisia. The report comes in two parts: one a general study of Islamic Finance and Climate Change in the region and global best practice by IFIs. The second, shorter report is a set of Guidelines for Islamic Banks on integrating climate change considerations in their operations and businesses. This shorter report should be as practical as possible, providing clear step-by-step guidance for Islamic banks, with clear reference to specialist guidance on areas of climate-related risk identification, assessment, management, climate alignment and financing.
The target audience for the reports are Islamic banks or banks with Islamic windows in the MENA region, but different stakeholders will benefit from the report such as national governments, Islamic scholars, national, regional and Islamic banking associations, national central banks, local and regional banks, intergovernmental organizations, philanthropic organizations, investors, financial governance bodies, and development finance institutions.
UNEP FI needs a consultant to work on reviewing the report, restructuring & redrafting where necessary, across the two reports.
The consultant will be required to edit the main report and the introductory report (the Seascape report), ensuring the clarity of argument, analysis, technical language, references and case studies are adequate for the Islamic financial sector audience of these reports.
The consultant will be required to:
o ensuring up-to-date references to international guidelines, frameworks, norms, standards relevant to the topic,
o ensuring relevance of case studies and references for Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa region – non-regional case studies should provide necessary and additional context to the discussion,
o ensuring the report highlights specific issues in the integration of climate-related financial risk and climate finance for Islamic banks,
o removing repetitive information to improve the structure of the argument, and
o deliver a report that is improved in argument, consistency and structure.
The finalized report should be of relevance for Islamic banks, highlighting where specific guidance on climate risks and financing would be of use to an Islamic finance audience.
The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of Mr. Eric Usher, Head of UNEP FI and report directly to Remco Fischer, Climate Lead, working in close coordination with UNEP FI Senior Climate Consultant, Paul Smith, and Nuran Atef, Regional Coordinator for Africa and the Middle East (AME) at UNEP FI.
Qualifications/special skills
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 450 banks, insurers and investors. For over 28 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 is strongly engaged in the Middle East and North Africa, where climate change poses a big challenge and considerable risks to the finance sector. Equally, the region has a vested interest in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; in particular those that help deal with the interlinked water-energy-food challenges, and goals that foster Agenda 2030 in general. Central to the delivery of the sustainability and climate agendas are private financial institutions and particularly banks. Islamic banks are already important parts of the financial system in much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and have a growing presence in north Africa.
Against this background, UNEP FI engaged a consultant to develop a study of Islamic Banking in the MENA region and how they are tackling climate finance particularly in key countries Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, UAE, and Tunisia. The report comes in two parts: one a general study of Islamic Finance and Climate Change in the region and global best practice by IFIs. The second, shorter report is a set of Guidelines for Islamic Banks on integrating climate change considerations in their operations and businesses. This shorter report should be as practical as possible, providing clear step-by-step guidance for Islamic banks, with clear reference to specialist guidance on areas of climate-related risk identification, assessment, management, climate alignment and financing.
The target audience for the reports are Islamic banks or banks with Islamic windows in the MENA region, but different stakeholders will benefit from the report such as national governments, Islamic scholars, national, regional and Islamic banking associations, national central banks, local and regional banks, intergovernmental organizations, philanthropic organizations, investors, financial governance bodies, and development finance institutions.
UNEP FI needs a consultant to work on reviewing the report, restructuring & redrafting where necessary, across the two reports.
The consultant will be required to edit the main report and the introductory report (the Seascape report), ensuring the clarity of argument, analysis, technical language, references and case studies are adequate for the Islamic financial sector audience of these reports.
The consultant will be required to:
- Review, restructure and redraft the “Mobilising Islamic Finance for Climate Action” report ensuring:
o ensuring up-to-date references to international guidelines, frameworks, norms, standards relevant to the topic,
o ensuring relevance of case studies and references for Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa region – non-regional case studies should provide necessary and additional context to the discussion,
o ensuring the report highlights specific issues in the integration of climate-related financial risk and climate finance for Islamic banks,
o removing repetitive information to improve the structure of the argument, and
o deliver a report that is improved in argument, consistency and structure.
The finalized report should be of relevance for Islamic banks, highlighting where specific guidance on climate risks and financing would be of use to an Islamic finance audience.
- Review, restructure and redraft the “Mainstreaming Climate Change in Islamic Banking Introductory Guidance”. This should be a short set of practical guidance for Islamic banks that helps them to navigate the transition, climate impacts and respond to finance sector regulations and standards on climate risk and finance. The Guidelines should be consistent with the analysis in the report and ensure that the most relevant key messages are encapsulated in the Guidance, making them stand out more clearly.
The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of Mr. Eric Usher, Head of UNEP FI and report directly to Remco Fischer, Climate Lead, working in close coordination with UNEP FI Senior Climate Consultant, Paul Smith, and Nuran Atef, Regional Coordinator for Africa and the Middle East (AME) at UNEP FI.
Professional Experience: At least 7 years of relevant experience, especially in the financial services sector, or at NGOs, academic organizations, standard-setting bodies, public agencies focused on sustainability for the financial sector. Experience working in Islamic finance essential.
Education: A Masters’ Degree, in one or several of the following areas: finance, business administration, environmental studies, management or sustainable development. Focus on communication of sustainability / environmental issues is an advantage. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 9 years of relevant experience.
Skills & Knowledge: Experience in drafting and reviewing reports and guidance on Islamic finance, with demonstrated experience in working on climate change and sustainability in the finance industry. Track record of working with in Islamic finance and with at least one of the project partners: CIBAFI, Islamic Development Bank and UNEP FI is highly desired. Extensive experience interacting with and relating to finance professionals and international stakeholders at senior level. Team player with strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong internal relationships and networks. Motivated self-starter who enjoys working in a collaborative and international environment.
Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.
No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
