AVP / VP, Greening Financial Regulation initiative (GFRi) - Asia Pacific Regional & Technical

Singapore, Singapore

Position title: AVP / VP, Greening Financial Regulation initiative (GFRi) – Asia Pacific Regional & Technical

Reports to: Head, Asia Sustainable Finance, WWF-Singapore

I. Mission of the WWF Sustainable Finance Team

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest and most experienced conservation organizations with a global network of 6000 experts working across the areas most critical to global sustainable development, including food systems, climate and energy, and freshwater, forests and oceans, active in more than 100 countries.

Our approach is deeply rooted in science and our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people and nature thrive. WWF has identified the finance sector as a key driver of global economic activity with which we must engage to successfully deliver on our long-term conservation mission.

Positioned at the cutting-edge of sustainable finance internationally, our global sustainable finance team of 80 experts – including 30 in Asia – is dedicated to supporting the finance sector to transition to sustainable and resilient economy via working key finance sector players including banks, investors, regulators, and stock exchanges, across six focus areas: standards, regulations, capacity building, research & tools, green financial solutions and engagement.

II. Objectives of WWF’s Greening Financial Regulation initiative

Influencing financial market regulations is one of the most efficient levers to shift financial flows in line with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and with broader sustainable development goals. In 2021, WWF launched the Greening Financial Regulation initiative (GFRi), a new network-wide initiative to advocate for a more systematic integration of climate-related and environmental risks in financial regulation and supervision, as well as in monetary policy.

This is done notably by measuring and tracking progress made by central banks and financial supervisors, and by providing targeted support and capacity building to these institutions. To do so, WWF leverages existing data, tools and methodologies, conducts and publishes relevant research together with external partners. More information here.

The GFRi is a global initiative, led by WWF-Switzerland with support from regional and technical leads. WWF-Singapore is currently looking for a GFRi Asia Pacific Regional & Technical AVP/VP to work together with the GRFi APAC Technical Lead to coordinate work in the region, as well as to lead the development and implementation of the Sustainable Financial Regulations and Central Bank Activities (‘SUSREG’) Tracker. More information here.

III. Key responsibilities

GFRi – Asia Pacific Regional AVP/VP

Work in coordination with the GFRi Lead and GFRi APAC Technical Lead to develop a regional engagement strategy, focusing on central banks, financial regulators and supervisors, and coordinate its implementation across key WWF offices in APAC;
Support and, where necessary, lead the engagement with central banks, financial regulators and supervisors in key countries across Asia-Pacific to achieve the goals of the GFRi, in collaboration with sustainable finance staff in the relevant WWF offices (incl. capacity building, research);
Support GFRi/ASFI Academy Leads on content development for training and capacity building for central banks on climate and nature-related risks and financial stability, and other themes as necessary;
As an integral part of the GFRi Secretariat, support the GFRi Lead and GFRi APAC Technical Lead in the overall design of the initiative and coordinate its implementation in key countries across Asia Pacific, alongside relevant WWF offices;
Build technical capacity within key WWF offices in Asia Pacific and support their engagement and advocacy work on central banking and financial regulation;
In coordination with the GFRi Lead, develop presentation and communication materials for internal and external stakeholders in key Asia Pacific countries;
Maintain an active dialogue with internal staff and external stakeholders to understand regional specificities, as well as the needs of central banks and financial supervisors, in order to inform the development of relevant research, content and tools by WWF and/or its partners;
Lead and/or support the engagement with other stakeholders in APAC, including development agencies, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, academia or think-tanks, to build partnerships or joint projects as relevant to the GFRi objectives;
Represent WWF and the GFRi in external events and conferences, contributing to raising WWF’s public profile in relation to sustainable finance and central banking / financial regulations;
Work closely with WWF offices in Asia as relevant, to identify the need for additional human and financial resources and secure additional funding for the GFRi;
Identify and contribute to fundraising opportunities for the GFRi;
Engage with WWF’s Finance Practice and other Practices as relevant, leveraging on internal expertise and contributing to WWF conservation goals;

SUSREG Technical Lead

Lead the development and implementation of the Sustainable Financial Regulations and Central Bank Activities (‘SUSREG’) Tracker, in coordination with the GFRi Leads and the other WWF offices involved;
Coordinate the annual update of the assessment results in the SUSREG Tracker online platform;
Support the development and publication of the SUSREG Annual Report, highlighting progress and gaps in central banking and supervisory practices, and outlining WWF recommendations;
Support and, where necessary, lead the engagement with central banks, financial regulators and supervisors in the Asia-Pacific countries covered by the SUSREG Tracker, to discuss results, gaps, good practices and identify areas of support;
Contribute to the development and implementation of an ambitious communication strategy that builds on the SUSREG Tracker results and associated publications;
Where relevant, contribute to internal or external research projects related to sustainable finance / regulation.

IV. Required qualifications

Relevant educational qualifications, in a relevant field of study (environmental studies, finance, economics, public policy, etc.), Master’s degree preferred;
Minimum 6-10 years of relevant work experience, covering financial regulation/supervision, sustainable finance and/or sustainability, preferably in an Asian context.

V. Required skills and competencies

Strong interest in environmental conservation and sustainable development;
In-depth understanding of sustainable finance developments and trends (with a focus on central banking and regulatory aspects) at a global, regional and national level in the APAC region;
Experience or understanding of financial regulation and central banks activities;
Proven track record in project management, and in building long-term senior-level relationships with stakeholders;
Experience in leading / coordinating multi-disciplinary and international projects is a plus;
Results-oriented, excellent attention to detail, able to effectively prioritize tasks and carry out activities with a high degree of autonomy;
Team player, cultural sensitivity, able to work with multidisciplinary and intercultural teams, with colleagues across various time zones;
Ability to think and plan strategically, proactive;
Structured thinker with excellent oral and written communication skills;
Fluency in English. Additional business proficiency in Asian languages is an asset;
Aligning with WWF core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.

Must be able to travel internationally (with a focus on Asia-Pacific).

How to apply

Interested candidates should email a CV and a cover letter to HR Department (Email: hr@wwf.sg). Closing date for applications is 20 February 2023. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.