ASSISTANT ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 1 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 82,408 USD and 113,889 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Water Unit of the Transboundary Cooperation Section of the Environment Division in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The P1, Assistant Environmental Affairs Officer, reports to the P4, Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) and works in close cooperation with and under the guidance of the P3, Environmental Affairs Officer, supporting the reporting on Sustainable Development Goal indicator 6.5.2 and under the Convention.

The broad aim of UNECE's environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda.

This temporary position is initially available through 31 December 2023 with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Assistant Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Works with beneficiary countries, partners and colleagues to facilitate the implementation of activities under the programme of work of the Water Convention with an emphasis on reporting on Sustainable Development Goal indicator 6.5.2 and under the Convention (programme area 6); monitors specific aspects of programme development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; liaises with national focal points and other relevant contacts, drafts correspondence and provides information to delegations; maintains contact with internal and external counterparts; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Supports implementation of activities under the programme of work of the Water Convention with an emphasis on increasing capacity for implementation of the Convention and supporting national processes towards accession (programme area 1.1) and development of agreements and the establishment of joint bodies (programme area 1.3); prepares meetings and organises communication activities; liaises with national focal points and other relevant contacts; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Supports implementation of extrabudgetary and other projects, in particular the project “Promoting accession to Water Convention, Phase 2”, as relevant.
• Carries out research on selected aspects of the work, including collecting, analyzing and presenting data and other information gathered from diverse sources.
• Provides substantive support for policy coordination, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in research activities and studies.
• Participates in survey initiatives; assists with design of data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions.
• Contributes to the preparation of written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Contributes to increasing the visibility and awareness of the activities, including development of promotion material, contributing to the continual maintenance of the official website and social media, presenting the work at the relevant fora, coordinating this work with related activities carried out under other ECE programmes, UN bodies and international organizations.
• Provides administrative and substantive support to intergovernmental meetings and technical workshops, including proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.
• Participates in missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc.
• Supports activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (project proposals, programme of work and its budget, etc.).

• Performs other substantive and administrative duties, as required.

  Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of international relations and public policy. Understanding of Sustainable Development Goals indicators. Professional competence in and knowledge of relevant multilateral environmental agreements and policies. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to coordinate processes and consolidate information from a range of different sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in environmental sciences, sustainable development, international relations, international law, public policy or related fields is required. A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in any fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Work Experience Applicants to positions at this level who have an advanced university degree in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. For applicants who have a first level university degree, two additional years of qualifying work experience is required.

Experience in environment and water-related policy formulation at the international level and legal and/or policy research and analysis is required.

Experience in servicing multi-stakeholder intergovernmental processes, preferably in connection with environmental legal instruments, is desirable.

Experience in reporting on Sustainable Development Goals indicators or multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required and fluency in French or Russian is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice - This temporary position is initially available through 31 December 2023 with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.