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 actio

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

Job Description

The EU Policy Specialist works across regional and global teams to provide tools and insight to local policymakers, government departments, regulators, standard setters, and PRI signatories to pursue and deliver real-world sustainability outcomes consistent with the implementation of the PRI’s Mission and the Six Principles.

This includes translating the PRI’s global positions on sustainable finance strategies and frameworks, as well as climate, nature, and human rights policy, and developing local positions for the EU market, developing positions on and responding to government policy, and making public statements or submissions in the PRI’s name. The work is conducted through evidence-based research and collaborative projects with PRI signatories and other stakeholders. More information on the PRI’s policy approach can be found on our website.

The EU Policy Specialist will work closely with colleagues in the Continental Europe RI Ecosystems, as well as colleagues in the wider global RI Ecosystems and Policy teams. The successful candidate will focus on the EU market per the core responsibilities below, however they will be expected to collaborate on policy work in other markets on an ad-hoc basis.

The EU Policy Specialist reports to the Head of EU Policy in the Continental Europe RI Ecosystem.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop strategy and policy positions consistent with the implementation of PRI’s Mission Statement, the Six Principles and ensuring consistency with other PRI positions.

• Prepare and deliver content development and communications (Consultations, Letters, Policy Position papers, briefings, newsletters, blogs, webinar etc.), under the guidance of the Head of EU policy to support growth of the PRI’s EU Ecosystem, increasing PRI Signatory support for sustainable finance policy.

• Promote and engage on draft positions in consultation with signatories, including via the PRI Collaboration Platform and the Regional Policy Reference Group, calibrating and integrating feedback gathered through interviews and/or workshop sessions.

• Submit and present policy positions to European Commission and European regulators as well as EU-based national institutions as relevant.

• Preparing briefing notes, key messages and presentations for PRI executives on PRI policy activities including for the CEO, team Directors and team Heads as well as for media engagement.

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with key policy makers, EU signatories and stakeholders (e.g. other investor networks, NGOs) to foster joint engagement as needed.

• Support the PRI's participation in events and meetings with key stakeholders (for example preparing briefings and presentations, follow up actions, logistics)

• Monitor and research key developments relevant to sustainable finance, the economic transition and climate-neutrality related policies in the EU

• Identify new areas of research and advocacy to support PRI’s work on sustainable finance policy.

• Contribute to wider policy team projects (signatory advisory groups, newsletters, regulatory database, events, other ad-hoc administrative support etc.).

 Person Specification:

• Good knowledge of EU policy process and in particular EU sustainable finance agenda and responsible investment (ESG disclosure and data, SFDR, EU Taxonomy, non-financial reporting, corporate governance, due diligence framework etc.) and/or climate policy developments (Fit for 55, EU Green Deal)

• Previous experience in policy analysis, formulating policy positions and conducting research, preferably including projects relevant to the finance industry.

• ·Good research and policy analysis skills with the ability to formulate and develop policy positions, while being able to navigate conflicting points of views.  

• Outstanding communications and analytical skills demonstrated through professional experience, with professional English writing standard and editing skills. Capacity to identify and solves problems in a structured and rigorous way.  

• Comfort presenting to groups, speaking in public and facilitating workshops and an ability to adapt communication style to different audiences and to build consensus.

• Ability to operate autonomously, with little guidance and confidence to take responsibility and engage with policymakers and signatories. 

• Knowledge of or interest in sustainable development and climate change, and their implications for public policy, with a philosophical commitment to sustainable investment and the mission of the PRI. 

Additional Selection Criteria

• Demonstrable experience developing advocacy strategies, preferably with experience working at EU policymakers and regulators, trade association, public affairs consultancy or relevant non-profits.

• Comfort with remote working systems and practices, and working alone or as part of a small office.

• Education in economics, public policy, finance, international affairs or similar preferred.

• Proficiency in at least one or two other European languages, in addition to English.

Whilst the role is being advertised a Senior Associate level, we are also considering an appointment at the level above dependent on skills and experience. We encourage your application, and this can be formally discussed at interview stage.

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.

Apply here.

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