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 Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (Industrial Accidents Convention) in the Transboundary Cooperation Section (TCS) of the Environment Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The incumbent reports to the P4, Environmental Affairs Officer, supervisor of the Industrial Safety Unit and Secretary to the Convention.

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

This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six (6) months, 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

Under the direct supervision of the P4, Head of the Industrial Safety Unit and Secretary to the Industrial Accidents Convention, and the general supervision of the P5, Chief, TCS, the incumbent provides support to the planning, implementation and monitoring of the work under the Industrial Accidents Convention. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

Intergovernmental support: • Supports the preparation of the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and upcoming meetings of its subsidiary bodies • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies • Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports, and similar material • Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings; • Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc on sustainable development and industrial safety issues for inter-governmental processes

Technical cooperation: • Supports the implementation of the Convention, including by: • Supporting the Assistance and Cooperation Programme beneficiary countries in the use of the Convention’s Strategic Approach and its tools • Organising and servicing capacity-building activities, meetings and workshops, preparing documents and reports, as requested. • Contributes to the implementation of the Assistance and Cooperation Programme and its respective activities, including but not limited to: • Supporting the organization of needs-driven assistance activities (e.g., training sessions, workshops, advisory missions, awareness-raising missions etc.) for Programme’s beneficiary countries in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe • Supporting the implementation of National Policy Dialogue on Industrial Safety in selected beneficiary countries • Supporting accession efforts by non-Parties in the ECE region • Preparing project proposals, liaising with donors and partners to fundraise for, implement and follow-up on the assistance activities • Providing practical and technical advice to Parties and committed countries concerning the implementation of the Convention • Supporting the implementation of projects under the Programme.

General: • Supports communication efforts of the Convention's secretariat, notably with respect to the Assistance and Cooperation Programme activities • Prepares briefing notes, inputs to reports, talking points and similar materials with regard to the environment and industrial safety in an adequate form and timely manner • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services; • Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of sustainable development theories and their application. Knowledge of multilateral environmental agreements and the servicing of their intergovernmental bodies. 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.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• 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, legal affairs, international relations, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience on environmental issues is required.

Experience with multilateral environmental agreements and the servicing of their intergovernmental bodies is desirable.

Experience in the field of industrial safety or the prevention of accidental water pollution is desirable.

Experience working with countries with economies in transition is desirable. (No experience requirement for candidates who have passed a United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination.)

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 and Russian is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

This post is financed by extrabudgetary funds. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval and extension of the mandate.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

This position is temporarily available for six (6) months. 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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.