Subject Matter Expert: Insurance, Financial Standards, Science Based Target initiative

Subject Matter Expert: Insurance – Science Based Targets

Location: UK, Europe, East Coast USA, Mexico.

Purpose and Background:
The Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative is looking for a Subject Matter Expert in Insurance to support the SBTi Financial Institutions Net Zero (FINZ) Standard, which will introduce insurance underwriting targets.
As the Insurance Subject Matter Expert, the position will focus on finalizing the FINZ standard, working with (re)insurance companies to set FINZ insurance underwriting targets, collaborating with SBTi Corporate and Sector teams to ensure coherence and consistency, and managing one junior SBTi staff.

This role plays an important part in achieving:

• The finalization, publication, and socialization of the insurance components of the SBTi’s new FINZ Standard.
• Lead the development of an Explanatory Note providing additional support on the implementation of the Standard for insurance underwriting.
• Support for the SBTi Target Validation Team (TVT) to develop the Criteria Assessment Indicators for insurance underwriting targets.
• Coordination with the SBTi Impact team on the first tranche of (re)insurance company FINZ SBTs.
• In coordination with SBTi Quality and other teams, support the development of a Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework for tracking FINZ insurance underwriting FINZ SBTs.
• In coordination with the SBTi Research team, support the development of a research paper assessing metrics used by (re)insurance companies with reference to FINZ Standard.

You are a great fit for this role if you:

• Have at least 8 years of experience in both non-life and life/health insurance lines and are skilled in developing sustainable insurance strategies;
• Have a record of driving innovative practices with climate and/or (re)insurance companies;
• Have a background in standard setting or certification bodies
• Have strong analytical, communication, presentation skills, and expository writing proficiency.

About the SBTi:
The SBTi is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies worldwide to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.
The SBTi defines and promotes best practices in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.
For more information, please visit www.sciencebasedtargets.org
Key responsibilities include:
❖ Standard Development - Financial Institutions

• Lead the development and drafting of insurance components in the FINZ Standard.
• Provide input and review for other members of the Financial Standards and Impact teams in the development of supplementary materials such as case studies, FAQ documents, training materials, blog posts, and other materials to enhance the understanding of SBTi’s standards for FIs and the related metrics, methods, and requirements.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of SBTi’s FI standards and other technical documentation.
• Collaborate with SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard team to ensure coherence and consistency across SBTi’s standards.
• Collaborate with the Research Team and seek their input to ensure latest scientific accuracy

❖ Outreach, Engagement, and Partnership Management in Collaboration with SBTi
Impact Team

• Support the public consultation and pilot testing processes for SBTi Insurance work.
• Includes the development of preparatory materials such as public consultation surveys, presentations, and FAQ documents; the synthesis and analysis of feedback; and the development of consultation/pilot reports.
• Manage collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Principles For Sustainable Insurance (PSI) initiative.
• Manage responses to insurance-specific inquiries.

❖ Management

• Manage and mentor the Senior Associate, Insurance Oversee and take responsibility for work plans and other project-based documents such as Terms of References (TORs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Project Initiation
• Documents (PIDs), progress reports, financial and narrative reports in close collaboration with the dedicated FI project manager and grants manager.
• Take responsibility for the progress of the Project activities in close coordination and consultation with the FI Product Owner and other SBTi colleagues

Essential skills and experience needed:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Risk Management,
• Business, or a related field. Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in risk management, sustainability, or a related field, preferably within the insurance industry.
• Experience in the insurance and reinsurance underwriting process (at least 3 years of experience).
• Experience spanning both non-life and life/health lines of business.
• Experience in developing and promoting sustainable insurance strategies, approaches, products and solutions (encompassing insurance ESG risk management, net-zero insurance, insurance for low/zero-emission technologies, climate and disaster risk insurance, inclusive insurance and/or nature-positive insurance).
• Experience at the international level in project/program management and stakeholder engagement is required.
• Background in standard setting or certification bodies, ideally with experience in standard development or multi stakeholder approaches.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and develop actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated expository writing ability
• Willingness to learn and acquire standard development skills in very short period of time Team player, collaborative approach

Desirable criteria:

• Professional certifications such as Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU),
• Associate in Risk Management (ARM), or similar.
• Knowledge of standards and regulatory frameworks related to climate (e.g., SBTi, TCFD, ISSB).

Important information before you apply.

• This is a full-time role based in Germany, Spain, Mexico, the USA (East Coast), or UK.
• The competitive NGO salary for this role will depend on location and experience level.
• This role is a fixed-term contract for 12 months.
• This role holds a maximum 6 months probationary period, depending on country legislation.
• Interested candidates should be legally allowed to work in the specified countries and already be visa holders. The SBTi cannot sponsor working visas.

What we offer:

❖ Working in one of the most successful and fastest-growing initiatives driving climate
action.
❖ Salary range:
➢ £60,000 annual salary in The UK
➢ € 67,000 annual salary in Germany
➢ $55,000 monthly salary in Mexico
❖ Exciting and challenging tasks in a dynamic, international, innovative, and highly motivated team.
❖ Training and development.
❖ 30 days of time off, plus your Country's bank holidays.

SBTi is an equal opportunity employer - committed to building an inclusive workplace
and diverse staff, where all can thrive. We welcome and strongly encourage applications
from candidates of all identities and backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on
race, colour, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin,
disability, or age.

To apply:
Please respond to this advertisement or send your CV and cover letter to Kris Kobi, a Director of Sustainability and Energy at kris@climate17.com