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, 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

This role is an exciting opportunity to join PRI’s climate change team to work on promoting climate risk disclosure and management by investors.

PRI’s climate team works on three key areas: (1) Climate Policy: Engagement for ambitious climate policy to implement the Paris Agreement and net zero by 2050 (2) Climate Risk: Support PRI signatories in climate risk assessment and aligning disclosures with TCFD (3) Implementation of Net Zero Commitments: Supporting signatories in aligning portfolios with net-zero by 2050.

This role will play a key role in leading PRI’s work on climate risk in APAC.  The successful candidate will work across the climate team’s Climate Risk and Policy workstreams to work towards ambitious climate policy and support signatories in strengthening their approach to climate risk management and disclosures focused on the APAC market. This involves designing and implementing effective climate risk/TCFD guidance and capacity building programmes in the region as well as leading on climate policy engagement in Japan. 

Whilst there is a preference for applicants based in Japan, exceptional applicants with fluent Japanese language skills from other countries will, providing they have the right to work in the host country, also be considered.

Core Responsibilities:

■ Design and implement climate risk/TCFD guidance and capacity building programme in key APAC markets, including Japan

■ Lead on PRI’s climate policy engagement in Japan including responding to relevant consultations and designing policy engagement strategies including on energy and other key sector targets for 2030 emission reduction in line with Japan’s NDC

■ Represent PRI on Japan-focused climate policy investor working groups (such as UN-Convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance and the Investor Agenda)

■ Respond to signatory enquiries around climate risk in APAC in close collaboration with PRI Signatory Relations colleagues

■ Support with implementation of related climate risk programmes including Inevitable Policy Response in APAC

■ Support climate risk programme management and implementation including project management and tracking deliverables

■ Collaborate closely with PRI colleagues in Japan and in the APAC region including on CA100+, climate policy and Signatory Relations

■ Provide feedback on guidance, briefings and/or reports on climate risk

■ Support internal knowledge sharing on climate change and relevant issues

■ Provide regular reporting to the Head of Climate and Director of Climate Change as required

Core Competencies:

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

Analytical

•Uses business knowledge and analysis to identify issues, applying fact-based insight to develop and evaluate options, offering solutions in a timely manner

•Identifies gaps in working practices that impact effectiveness and proposes solutions

•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 PRI and externally

•Utilises knowledge and experience across the PRI to ensure highest quality outputs are delivered

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

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

Collaborative

•Builds consensus and trust amongst team members and wider colleagues

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

•Proactively engages with colleagues in the wider organisation to gain a broader understanding of issues

•Flexes style and approach based on colleagues’ level of understanding and preferences

Communicative

•Speaks in a variety of settings, varying style based on type of audience

•Uses a variety of innovative methods in presentations to engage the audience and improve their understanding

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

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

Developmental

•Knows and leverages own strengths

•Actively seeks opportunities to enhance knowledge/ experience

•Gains input and facilitates challenge to improve processes and new ways of working

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

•Maintains a local network of contacts to encourage knowledge sharing

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

•Monitors and reports on progress, providing regular updates as appropriate

•Builds time into work plans or projects to assess performance and provide feedback

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■ Professional experience and high level of expertise in the field of climate change, sustainability or environment.

■ Professional experience engaging with investors, preferably on climate change, sustainability or environment. Experience with sustainability or climate disclosure frameworks preferable

■ Degree in a field related to climate change, sustainability, environment and/or finance. A postgraduate qualification in a similar field is desirable.

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

■ Able 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

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

■ Some regional and international travel may be required.

■ Eligibility to work in Japan required for Japan-base; otherwise right to work in preferred location

■ Fluency in English required. Fluent Japanese language essential other languages an advantage.

PLEASE NOTE THAT INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD WEEK COMMENCING 22ND NOVEMBER 2021