About the PRI

The Principles for Responsible Investment is an investor initiative in partnership with UNEP Finance Initiative and the UN Global Compact. Launched by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the PRI is a set of voluntary best practice principles to assist investors in integrating environmental, social and corporate governance issues into investment processes and ownership practices. The principles are supported by an Executive that promotes the PRI and provides implementation support to signatories. See www.unpri.org.

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, such as income inequality through the lens of sustainable finance. 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.

Job description

Climate change is a priority ESG topic for the PRI.   This role sits in the PRI’s climate team and will primarily support the UN-Convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance, co-convened by the PRI and UNEP FI.  The role will involve close, regular co-ordination with UNEP FI.  The role requires excellent project management, administration, and coordination skills.

Representing more than USD 6 trillion in assets under management, the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance is an international group of institutional investors delivering on a bold commitment to transition their investment portfolios to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The initiative demonstrates united investor action to align portfolios with a 1.5°C scenario, addressing Article 2.1c of the Paris Agreement.  The Alliance was initiated by Allianz, Caisse des Dépôts, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Folksam Group, PensionDanmark, and SwissRe. They were joined by Alecta, AMF, CalPERS, Nordea Life and Pension, Storebrand, and Zurich who make up the founding members. Convened by UN Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative and the Principles for Responsible Investment.

About the UNEP Finance Initiative

Founded in 1992 in the context of the Earth Summit in Rio, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) was established as a platform associating the United Nations and the financial sector globally. The need for this unique United Nations partnership arose from the growing recognition of the links between finance and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges, and the role financial institutions could play for a more sustainable world. See www.unepfi.org.

Core Responsibilities:

■ Implement the work programme of the UN-Convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance (the Alliance)

■ Support the secretariat in delivering against the track implementation plans and budget

■ Support in the Alliance’s recruitment process

■ Manage the membership database and onboarding process

■ Organize the monthly newsletter

■ Manage the agenda, notes, and outcomes documents from CEO/CIO calls, Steering Group Calls, Steering Group Representatives Calls and All Member Bi-Monthly Webinars

■ Write guidance, briefing documents or reports for the alliance

■ Organise events timetable and meetings of the alliance

■ Organize the ‘supporting partner’ submissions

■ Engage with the PRI Signatory Relations Teams with respect to Alliance member and updates

■ Collaborate externally and internally with different partners and teams where appropriate

■ Manage relationships with alliance members and with external partners

■ Provide regular reporting to the head of the secretariat of the alliance as required

■ Support internal knowledge sharing on environmental issues

Core Competencies:

PRI expects roles at an 'Associate' level within the organisation to demonstrate skills across the following core competencies:

 Analytical

• Incorporates the fullest range of information available into analysis and decision making​

• Uses appropriate technical processes/systems to develop and evaluate options in an effective and time-efficient manner ​

• Assimilates data to draws out relevant insights and findings from analyses​

• Identifies opportunities and risks to feed into decision making ​

• Presents analyses in an appropriate format providing clear and concise recommendations

Business Awareness

• Understands, and always works towards, the mission and the aims of the PRI​

• Is curious about what is happening in other parts of the PRI​

• Is Signatory centric – seeks to understand, listen and respond to Signatory needs​

• Understands own teams’ objectives and seeks to internalise them in own activities ​

• Understands who does what at the PRI and uses the knowledge to complete activities

Collaborative

• Approachable, credible and willing whenever engaging with colleagues​

• Actively and appropriately seeks input from others ​

• Focuses on interacting with colleagues in a positive and open manner​

• Listens to what colleagues are saying, considers from different perspectives and tailor’s responses accordingly

Communicative

• Writes succinctly and clearly tailoring level of detail to the requirements of the end user​

• Communicates clearly and precisely and able to convey thinking comprehensively​

• Provides regular, clear and concise communications to manager, colleagues or other relevant people to keep updated on activities​

• Structures and prepares well-written, logical outputs with limited guidance and editing​

Developmental

• Demonstrates self-awareness actively seeks feedback from others and acts upon it​

• Explores new ideas with an inquisitive mind ​

• Questions the status quo and suggests new ideas ​

• Seeks out opportunities to drive continuous improvements in ways of working​

• Open-minded attitude which welcomes change and new ideas

Structured

• Prioritises and organises time effectively, focussing on the key organisational priorities​

• Develops ways of working and processes to execute and improve efficiency across the PRI​

• Methodically tackles problems, working with colleagues where necessary​

• Takes account of the needs of other colleagues and/or Signatories when considering how to execute a piece of work​

• Promotes and utilises effective project management skills

  Technical Competencies & Experience:

  ■ Proven professional experience in project management and administration.

  ■ Ideally a Degree in a field related to finance, accounting and/or sustainability. A postgraduate qualifications in a similar field is desirable.

  ■ Experience of coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives

  ■ Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills with the ability to deliver high quality briefings and reports with minimal supervision

  ■ A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others

  ■ Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills, the ability to foster an inclusive working environment

  ■ IT/system skills (Microsoft Office, CRM, social media, webcasts, etc.)

  ■ Exceptional  programme management skills, with experience in delivering successfully, including directing others that may not be your direct reports

  ■ Some regional and international travel may be required.

  ■ Must be eligible to work in the UK.