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 Responsible Investment (RI) 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

This is an exciting opportunity to join PRI’s Sustainability Initiatives team, supporting and helping to facilitate investor action on the global transition to net zero.

The successful candidate will split their time across supporting the UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance’s (NZAOA) financing the transition track and supporting the Net Zero Asset Manager Initiative (NZAM) with signatory target-setting, reporting accountability on climate and net zero (both internally and externally), and ensuring effective programme management on investor reporting on climate and promoting climate risk management by asset managers.

The Specialist will work with the NZAOA’s financing the transition track to explore ways to finance transformation and invest in new technologies needed to a net-zero by 2050 world. The Specialist will support the Track Manager and asset owner members to implement an ambitious workplan that includes issues such as scaling blended finance, supporting emerging markets in financing the transition, as well as further work on climate benchmarks and climate solution investments and reporting.

The PRI acts as a Secretariat for a number of net zero initiatives (including NZAM and the NZAOA) and this role will report to the Manager, NZAM & Accountability.

We are looking for a Specialist with a passion for sustainability, and climate action in particular, to support on this work and the role and the role investors can play in driving action, to lead on this work in a collaborative and fast-paced work environment.

The successful candidate will work closely with team members across PRI, with PRI signatories and with external partners and stakeholders on driving forward a meaningful approach to climate implementation by investors.

Core Responsibilities

• Implement effective Net Zero reporting approaches – support financing transition track leads with implementation of the UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance workplan including with technical topics including scaling blended finance, emerging markets climate benchmarks and climate solutions. Support with the execution of events and consultancy agreements planned by the financing transition track. Deepen connectivity and synergies across PRI and financing transition track working in close coordination with PRI teams. Represent financing transition track in key NZAOA Secretariat meetings and Steering Group representatives’ meetings (where required).

• Technical support to NZAM – support and contribute to successful implementation of key deliverables and workplan, including scoping new approaches for best supporting signatories in meeting their Net Zero commitments. Support the credibility of the initiatives and help identify where and how to best support signatories implement their commitments. Manage the day-to-day reviewing of target-setting and commitments for existing and new signatories on net-zero reporting and provide feedback to signatories and updates to key external stakeholders. Support internal knowledge sharing on technical net-zero implementation by investor action, and maintain strong understanding of signatory needs through regular interactions with PRI’s Responsible Investment Ecosystem team and PRI signatories.

• Technical support to NZAOA – supporting the Track Manager and asset owner members of the NZAOA’s financing the transition track to explore ways to finance transformation and invest in new technologies needed to a net-zero by 2050 world. The Specialist will help implement an ambitious workplan, including issues such as scaling blended finance, supporting emerging markets in financing the transition, as well as further work on climate benchmarks and climate solution investments and reporting

• Work closely with PRI teams and external partners to produce high quality data outputs based on climate and net zero reporting data.

• Provide regular reporting to the Manager, NZAM & Accountability, Head of Net Zero Initiatives and Collaboration, Director of Sustainability Initiatives and Chief Initiatives Officer as required.

Person Specification

• A depth and breadth of specialist knowledge related to climate, and can effectively capture and structure complex, ill-defined or vague problems and is comfortable handling uncertainty

• Ability to translate complex ideas, systems and data into clear outputs; working with data including data analysis skills

• Exceptional programme management skills, with experience in delivering projects successfully, including effectively managing workstreams

• Exceptional multi-stakeholder engagement skills including working across teams and organizations

• Ability to work with ambiguity and adapt quickly to changes in context when they arise 

• 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, the ability to foster an inclusive working environment

• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills

• T/system skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, Teams/Zoom, etc.)

• Some regional and international travel may be required

Desirable:

• Very good programme management skills, with experience in delivering complex projects successfully, including directing others that may not be your direct reports

• Strong public speaking skills with ability to give presentations and lead meetings with important stakeholders – with excellent diplomacy and facilitation skills

• As this is a global role, international travel may be required

• Language skills, other than English, are desirable

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.

The PRI is committed to offering flexibility to our employees, both formal (e.g. part-time work) and informal (e.g. a shift in hours to accommodate caring responsibilities). Please talk to us about how we could make this role flexible for you.

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.

.