Principles for Responsible Investment, London, UK

The position is based at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), which is a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector. Over 170 institutions, including banks, insurers and fund managers, work with UNEP to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance. http://www.unepfi.org

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) provide a global framework for the integration of environmental, social and corporate governance issues into investment decision-making and ownership practices. http://www.unpri.org

This position is for 12 months, with possibility of extension depending on funding and suitability. It will involve implementing the PRI in emerging markets and developing countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The role will involve five main activities:

• Promoting the PRI and building capacity among emerging market investors
• Developing and disseminating environmental, social and governance (ESG) research, analysis and benchmarking
• Coordinating collaborative investor engagement on ESG issues to drive responsible business practice in emerging markets and developing countries
• Identifying and addressing systemic constraints to responsible investment
• Assisting with various administrative aspects of the PRI, such as supporting current signatories in implementation, coordinating ongoing signatory recruitment, fundraising and other administrative tasks as required by the PRI and UNEP FI teams.

The candidate should have an understanding of responsible investment, and a strong interest in emerging market and developing country investment.

• Degree in a PRI-related field (master’s preferred but not essential)
• Relevant work experience
• Ability to relate to and engage with a wide range of investment professionals from different regions
• Ability to learn quickly
• Attention to detail
• Ability to complete tasks
• Some knowledge and understanding of shareholder engagement activities around environmental, social and corporate governance issues
• Good working knowledge of relevant technology
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• High level written English (‘Plain English’ style), and ideally one other language relevant to emerging markets. Writing, editing and proofreading skills will be viewed positively.
• Well-organised and reliable; ability to work effectively without direct supervision
• Willing to conduct conference calls in different time zones where necessary (not a typical 9-5 job)
• Diplomacy and tact; ability to work in teams and get on well with people

This is a team role and the ability to work effectively as part of a team is a fundamental requirement for the position.

Applicants from emerging markets and developing countries are encouraged.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8).

Please send your CV and covering letter explaining why you are suited to this job to info@unpri.org by 30 April 2008. Please attach your covering letter as a separate document, rather than in the email text. Interviews will be in London and/or Geneva in early May.

The PRI Fellowship is a six month paid internship (25 hours per week, flexible), ideally suited to a student or recent graduate passionate about working in the responsible investment area but lacking the necessary experience to ‘get in the door’. The Fellowship will provide the successful candidate a solid grounding in the field of responsible investment, a broad range of contacts, knowledge of the many of the environmental, social and governance issues relevant to investors, and the opportunity to develop a range of useful skills relevant to the field. The Fellowship will also likely involve international travel.

The role will involve a bit of everything:

• Acting as the research and general assistant to the Executive Director
• Coordinating one or more PRI work streams or working groups
• Assisting with the coordination of events
• Sourcing and coordinating PRI speaking opportunities at various financial sector conferences
• Researching and compiling responsible investment resources
• Support for the other PRI project managers with various research and coordination tasks
• Scheduling conference calls and taking minutes for a number of PRI working groups
• Assisting with the development of the PRI resource library

• Ability to learn quickly and to get ‘up to speed’ within a short time (time will be set aside during induction to read a number of lengthy, but important documents on responsible investment)
• Currently studying in a PRI-related field (or recently graduated)
• Sufficient time to commit to the Fellowship for the full six months (flexibility within the six months is possible, but a full six month commitment is required)
• Strong interest in responsible investment, and environmental, social and governance issues in general
• Home broadband / Skype
• Confidence with a range of IT and Internet tools
• High-level written and spoken English
• Confidence to relate to and interact with senior investment professionals
• Well organised and reliable
• Ability to complete tasks without constant supervision
• Diplomacy, tact, and the ability to get on with people and fit into a team culture

Please send your CV and covering letter explaining why you are suited for this Fellowship to info@unpri.org by Friday 18 April, 2008. Please attach your covering letter as a separate document, rather than in the email text. Interviews will be in London in the week of 28 April. For more information, please contact info@unpri.org