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 The post is located in the Environment for Europe and Sustainable Development section of the Environment Division (ENV) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

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.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Secretary to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) and within the framework of the Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development Team, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

- Assisting in the preparation for, servicing and follow-up of meetings of subsidiary bodies established by the Meetings of the Parties to the Convention and to its Protocol on PRTRs (e.g. Working Group of the Parties, Bureau); - Drafting background documents, reports and minutes of meetings, discussion papers, studies, publications and other documentation; - Undertaking various administrative tasks including donor correspondence and financial reports, human resources related matters; - Providing support to the Division and other parts of the Organization on substantive, administrative and cross-cutting issues; - Assisting in the process of contracting consultants, individual contractors and other experts in preparation of relevant documents and research studies through drafting terms of reference, - Supporting preparation of publications; - Supporting the functioning of the Convention’s reporting mechanism; - Establishing and maintaining contacts with national focal points and other relevant contacts, - Drafting correspondence and providing information to delegations, as required; - Liaising with non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations and the private sector; - Supporting the awareness-raising and capacity-building activities to facilitate effective implementation of the Convention, including through cooperation with partner organizations and institutional contractors; - Supporting development of electronic information tools used for sharing of information and good practices on different topics and maintaining relevant pages of the Convention’s website; - Serving as a contact point within the secretariat and monitoring progress;

Competencies Communication: 1. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively 2. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately 3. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication 4. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience 5. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Planning and organization: 1. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies 2. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required 3. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work 4. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning 5. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary 6. Uses time efficiently, able to administer and co-ordinate a wide range of activities, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.

Teamwork: 1. Has good interpersonal skills and able to establish and maintain working relations in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity 1. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals 2. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others 3. Places team agenda before personal agenda 4. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position 5. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

Technology Awareness: 1. Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software, e.g. Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, etc; knowledge of content organization, including the use of relevant information databases and Internet services; web management software. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks and shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education Advanced university degree in field related to environmental management and international relations, policy, governance, government administration or other relevant discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.

Work Experience Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in project/programme management, administration, preferably in the area of environment or human rights is required, of which at least 1 year having an international component is desirable. Experience with servicing multi-stakeholder intergovernmental processes, preferably in connection with global or regional environmental legal instruments is desirable. Experience in organizing capacity-building activities is desirable. Knowledge of issues related to environmental protection, human rights and democracy is desirable.

Languages Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Russian would be an asset.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available until 8 November 2021 to 7 July 2022 . If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• 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.

  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.