About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. The PRI is truly independent. It encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks but does not operate for its own profit; it engages with global policymakers but is not associated with any government; it is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

Working at the PRI provides an opportunity to engage with highly motivated, culturally diverse professionals on a wide range of cutting-edge issues. The PRI provides scope for development at all levels with opportunities for project leadership and management working alongside some of the most influential signatories and leaders across financial markets and economies. In combination with a supportive culture that encourages continuous learning and flexible working policies, PRI is a highly engaging place to work on truly transformative issues.

This is an opportunity to work on the cutting edge of climate action, alongside some of the most influential investors and leaders across financial markets. Join a global and motivated Stewardship team that works to deliver substantial real change in our global economy, society and the environment.

This position will work Climate Action 100+, one of PRI’s flagship projects and one of the largest and most influential collaborative investor initiatives of all time.

About Climate Action 100+

Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) is an investor initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. Through the initiative more than 500 investors with over $45 trillion in assets collectively under management are engaging 160 companies to: curb emissions, improve governance and strengthen climate-related financial disclosures.

Launched in December 2017, the initiative is unprecedented in terms of its scale and impact achieved to date. Climate Action 100+ is coordinated by five regional investor network organisations: Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC); Ceres; Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC); Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

The successful candidate will be employed by PRI, but work for the Climate Action 100+ initiative. The role will report into the CA100+’s Core Benchmarking Team (CBT), which is comprised of representatives from the five regional partner investor networks and collectively responsible for the benchmark project. The role will take primary direction from the chair(s) of the CBT.

Job description

The role will be responsible for the project management of the CA100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark (referred to as the Benchmark). See Appendix for more details.

The Benchmark has been designed to clarify investor expectations of the 160 CA100+ focus companies and will be used to evaluate company action and ambition in tackling climate change. Despite the significance of the shift to net-zero emissions, there is a need to standardise what constitutes a ‘net-zero aligned’ business strategy and how to measure GHG emissions reduction targets for alignment with a 1.5C transition pathway. The Benchmark developed through the initiative provides guidance for companies to identify the path that is needed to address this issue in their respective sectors and regions.

The appointed candidate will work with leading research organisations and relevant CA100+ partner network staff on the continued development, implementation and evolution of the benchmark.

 Core Responsibilities:

■       Convene and facilitate regular meetings/calls of the CA100+ Core Benchmarking Team (CBT).

■       Manage the Benchmark Project workplan, track progress and identify the key priorities and project risks for the CBT to address.

■       Prepare recommendations/proposals, draft materials and consult relevant CA100+ CBT members on an ongoing basis and/or signatory investors for input at key project milestones.

■       Manage all Benchmark Project materials and communications to ensure strong global coordination, reduce risks and to facilitate ease of access to key documents.

■       Coordinate with the external Benchmark Project research organizations and data providers (see above) on the design, development, implementation and presentation of the Benchmark and related company research, analysis and scoring.

■       Manage the launch of the new online version of the CA 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark which will include company scores - scheduled for Q1 2021 - working under the direction of the CBT and in coordination with the CA 100+ Communications Leads website developers

■       Draft related materials and communications related to the CA 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark for signatory investors.

■       Support the quality assurance process following the initial Benchmark launch and act as a point-of-contact for signatory investors to provide information and direction as required.

■       Support the ongoing development of new/additional company indicators and the maintenance of the online Benchmark and related investor toolkit.

■       Research and consult other research organizations, data providers, experts, the five partner investor networks and/or stakeholders as part of the continued evolution of the Benchmark.

■       Coordinate with other strategic CA100+ projects (such as Global Sector Strategies and company research), where relevant for benchmarking purposes (and vice-versa). 

PRI Competency Framework:

PRI expects roles at a ‘Specialist’ level within the organisation to demonstrate skills across the following core competencies:

 Analytical

•Proactively offers impartial specialist knowledge, insights or input

•Uses business/ specialist knowledge and analysis to identify issues, applying fact-based insight to develop and evaluate solutions or solve issues

•Maintains a professional and impartial stance in assessing all information which feeds into decision making

•Balances rigour with pragmatism in conducting analyses that are fit for purpose

•Effectively reviews and quality-checks all analyses

Business Awareness

Focuses on maximising Signatory or operational value and driving PRI outcomes

•Actively keeps up-to-date with developments both within the organisation and within area of specialism

•Balances the internal needs of the PRI and that of Signatory Organisations to deliver outputs

•Understands how own area of specialism drives value to the PRI and meets its mission

Collaborative

•Builds consensus and trust with all that engage with

•Is responsive to feedback proactively following up to ensure any issues are resolved

•Where requested, engages with colleagues to gain a broader understanding of issues and seeks to respond to or resolve them

•Provides specialist knowledge and insights to colleagues where requested

Communicative

•Translates specialist information or provides technical expertise in a clear and understandable format

•Clarifies matters by absorbing and understanding relevant information and feeding them back in concise terms

•Uses effective listening and questioning to enhance understanding of complex issues

•Engages the recipient using their language, tailoring communication style for the audience

Developmental

•Actively seeks opportunities to enhance specialist knowledge/ experience

•Constantly reviews own work with the aim of improving outputs

•Applies knowledge or experience to question practices and suggest alternatives

•Actively seeks and shares feedback wherever possible, as a means of improvement

•Uses best practice identified through external networks or evolutions in the field of specialism

Structured

•Has a strong sense of execution and delivery, working to agreed deadlines, involving relevant colleagues and allowing enough time for review and quality assurance

•Regularly monitors and reports on progress of work, providing regular updates as appropriate

•Takes a methodical approach to how specialist or technical knowledge is acquired and, distributed (where necessary)

•Captures knowledge at the end of each project/ process/activity, to use and share

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■       Knowledge of corporate disclosure frameworks/benchmarks is desirable.

■       Experience of working on climate change and/or environment related issues is preferred. Regional and/or sector knowledge relevant to CA100+ is also beneficial.

■       Investor and/or company engagement experience is beneficial.

■       Excellent project management skills, with ability to multi-task, prioritise and manage multiple timelines, are essential.

■       Strong facilitation skills. Diplomacy, tact, and ability to build consensus.

■       Good networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence a diverse range of stakeholders from varying cultures and backgrounds.

■       Practical experience in investment management or related industry is advantageous.

■       A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others. Committed to fostering an inclusive working environment.

■       Good knowledge of relevant IT (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint and CRM software).

■       Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills.

■       Fluent English. Other languages relevant to financial markets desirable.

■       Willingness and ability to travel, including internationally.