Associate Environmental Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-2 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 106,558 USD and 144,732 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 Transboundary Cooperation Section of the Environment Division of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Geneva. The incumbent reports to the manager of the Water Unit and Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention).

UNECE Environment Division contributes to the overall objectives and mandate of UNECE as a multilateral platform facilitating greater economic integration and cooperation among its member States, and to the broad aim of the Environment subprogramme to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsibilities The Associate Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Provides support to the regular reporting exercises under the Water Convention and on the Sustainable Development Goals indicator 6.5.2 by:

• Facilitating the process of initiating and conducting the reporting cycles, including preparation and timely dissemination of the invitation and templates, guidance materials, collection of national reports, analysis and validation of the national reports, production of progress reports and maintenance of the dedicated website and mailing lists;
• In coordination with senior staff, responding to queries from countries and river basin organisations with regard to reporting;
• Maintaining databases and programmes for database management and organize nonquantitative information;
• Providing input to progress reports on the Water Convention and on the indicator 6.5.2;
• Assisting in maintaining interaction and coordination with UN system organizations, in particular UN-Water and UNESCO, other relevant international governmental and non-governmental organizations;
• Representing the secretariat at international meetings and processes related to reporting.

Provides support to capacity building and communication activities to assist countries in reporting under the Water Convention and on the Sustainable Development Goals indicator 6.5.2 by:

• Planning and organizing capacity-building activities in support of reporting and participating in relevant capacity-building events organized by governments and partner organizations;
• Delivering substantive presentations during the capacity-building activities;
• Assisting in development of training material to support the reporting process;
• Assisting in the management of the administrative and financial aspects of capacity-building activities, in particular providing support to arranging consultancy contracts, grant agreements and other needed services, identifying and developing partnerships with international organizations and donors, drafting project proposals and producing project reports to donors;
• Assisting in the development of communication material related to reporting process and outcomes.

Provides support to intergovernmental meetings by:

• Preparing inputs for documents and reports to the Meeting of the Parties of the Water Convention and its subsidiary bodies;
• Assisting in the organization of panels, round tables etc. on reporting and other issues relevant for transboundary water cooperation in the framework of the subsidiary bodies to the Meeting of the Parties of the Water Convention.

Provides general support by:

• Performing other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the water unit’s services;

• Undertaking on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

  Competencies •Professionalism: Knowledge of and ability to apply concepts in the area of environmental affairs. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyse data, make recommendations and write reports. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•Planning & 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 Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in environmental management, natural or social science, international relations or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the area of environmental affairs is required. Experience with data analysis and database management is required. Experience with monitoring implementation of multilateral environmental agreements or the Sustainable Development Goals is desirable. Experience in servicing intergovernmental meetings is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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

Special Notice This is a project post. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.