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’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

Job Description  

The UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is seeking a dedicated Senior Specialist to support its emerging sovereign engagement work in Japan through the Collaborative Sovereign Engagement on Climate Change.

Investors participating in this initiative are seeking long-term engagement with governments and associated bodies to manage portfolio exposure to climate change through their holdings of sovereign debt, exposure to other asset classes and universal ownership, consistent with their fiduciary duty to mitigate risks and maximise long-term returns for beneficiaries.

The successful candidate will enhance, expand and support the Japan engagement activities of the initiative with support from PRI’s global policy, financial system research and markets teams. The successful candidate may also contribute to engagement in other markets and multilateral processes where this furthers the initiative’s objectives.

This role has strong finance, economics, public policy and climate change components. It is based in the PRI’s Stewardship Initiatives Team, and reports to the Head of Stewardship, Sovereign Engagement.

The Japan programme is one of three current national engagement programmes under the initiative through which 45 participating investors from Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, responsible for a combined USD$22 trillion in assets under management, are seeking to support governments in meeting climate goals and creating an investable environment for industrial transition.

The initiative is expected to further expand in coming years and there is a strong likelihood of contract extension for this position.

 Core Responsibilities

• Lead the Japan programme of the Collaborative Sovereign Engagement on Climate Change, supporting participating investors in their efforts to conduct dialogue with national and regional governments, and other associated entities.

• In collaboration with relevant PRI colleagues and the initiative’s Japan Advisory and Working Group, help develop and facilitate the implementation of a robust engagement strategy, including annual focus areas and workplans.

• Assist the Head of Stewardship, Sovereign Engagement and Director, Stewardship in evaluating the progress and impact of engagement activities and identifying improvements to sovereign engagement practice to support the global programme.

• Support the expansion of the Japan programme by establishing a Japan Advisory Committee and Investor Working Groups, and supporting the recruitment of additional investor participants at an appropriate time.

• Conduct and disseminate relevant research, guidance, and other analysis for investors to use in sovereign engagements both within and beyond the Japan engagement.

• Build relationships with participating investors and other PRI signatories to maintain and expand expertise of engagement best practice and needs.

• Work closely with other members of the PRI Stewardship Initiatives Team to ensure delivery of consistent, high-quality work.

• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders in the Japan financial system and climate policy spaces to inform investors’ expectations and create channels of communication between the investor group and relevant stakeholders.

• Speak at events, both digital and in person, on sovereign engagement, stewardship and the PRI’s work more generally.

• Maintain excellent overall knowledge of stewardship, sovereign engagement, climate and nature issues, and public policy on climate change, nature and economics.

• As this role works with global stakeholders and across the breadth of the Japan market, occasional international travel (approximately 1-2 times per year) and domestic travel (approximately 2-3 times per year) may be required, as well as frequent (approximately 1-2 days per week) calls/meetings outside of normal working hours.

Person Specification

Candidates must have:

• A demonstrated knowledge of Japan’s national and provincial climate and energy-related policy, and the relationship with investor interests and practice.

• Experience working for or with institutional investors on climate change, ESG, policy engagement and/or stewardship, or experience working for or with governments on climate change and stakeholder management.

• A relevant higher education qualification in public policy, environmental issues, finance, sustainable investment and/or economics, or comparable professional experience.

• A track record of developing and delivering against a strategy to achieve or influence a macro-level outcome.

• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships.

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others & commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.

• Experience coordinating diverse groups working towards a common activity and aim.

• Excellent written and spoken English and Japanese language skills.

• Legal working rights in Japan.

It is desirable candidates have:

• Knowledge and experience with sovereign debt and fixed income asset classes.

• Experience with developing and reporting against project impact and other metrics.

• Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills.

• A growth mindset, actively pursuing continuous professional and personal development.

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.