CHIEF OF BRANCH, PROGRAMME

Contract

This is a D-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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 239,266 USD and 301,929 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 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The overall objective of the UNEP's Economy Division is to encourage decision-makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The Chemicals and Health Branch work closely with governments, industry, and civil society organizations around the world to develop mainstream solutions for the sound management of chemicals and waste. The position is located in the Economy Division, Chemicals and Health Branch in Geneva duty station. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, Economy Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities 1. Lead the development of UNEP's strategy and implementation of the programmes under the Pollution Action Pillar of the Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 2022-2025: a. Ensuring the approved programme framework is delivered in a comprehensive, cross-UNEP manner involving other Divisions and Regional Offices to the widest extent; b. Participating in inter-agency and partner strategic meetings such as with the relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), to ensure strategic engagement and define cooperation and implementation modalities. c. Ensuring the scientifically sound knowledge base of all the Branch's work in order to provide solid evidence in support of policy making.

2. Coordinate the development of regular work programmes and an associated portfolio on pollution: a. Providing substantive and technical guidance on the development of the institution’s work programme and portfolio on chemicals and waste, with an increasing focus on integrated approaches to the management of chemicals and waste and continued relevance to address the pollution and health nexus; b. Ensuring initiatives are increasingly bringing in private sector partners from chemicals and waste related industries, and relevant value chain actors, using partnership approaches to systematically catalyse the transition of the related industries to sustainability; c. Ensuring a fund-raising approach that capitalizes on a diverse and impactful array funding streams, including the GEF and other applicable funding opportunities; d. Catalyzing interlinkages with circular economy approaches, and innovations relating to green and sustainable chemistry, digitalization and other innovations.

3. Ensure quality oversight and supervision of the implementation of the Branch's work programme: a. Ensuring a systematic monitoring and supervision of the Branches and its Unit's portfolio; b. Ensuring budget and programmatic performance are carried out side by side, identifying risks and areas where adaptive management is required.

4. Responsible for day-to-day management of administrative, budget and personnel issues in the Branch: a. Reviewing and recommending to the Deputy and Director the overall budgetary allocation of the Branch, in close cooperation with Administration; b. Evaluating and recommending to the Deputy and Director the human resources requirements and the most efficient administrative and organizational framework for the Branch, in order to enable programme implementation; c. Ensuring the most efficient and cost-effective use of the Branch’s financial and human resources and recommending policies and strategies as necessary; d. Ensuring the strictest adherence to the Delegation of Authority Framework and Further Delegation of Authority Framework; e. Providing substantive guidance, advice and support to Branch Unit heads and teams on the development of their respective portfolios, particularly where change at scale can be achieved.

5. Perform representative functions on behalf of the Economy Division and UNEP.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants, pesticides and mercury. Knowledge of the environmental policy context to which project outcomes and results are used. Understanding of multilateral processes at the global level. 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.

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.

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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Building trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in pollution, chemistry, industrial or chemical engineering, environmental or physical sciences or degrees related to sustainable development, development studies, public administration, political studies, international relations, if combined with experience in the chemicals and waste management or related fields is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of fifteen (15 )years relevant work experience in fields relating to chemicals and/or waste management is required.

Experience in resource mobilization at multi-million USD programmatic level is required.

Experience working with the private sector in the field of chemicals and waste is required.

Experience managing large teams is required.

Experience working with the UN system or similar international organization is desirable.

Experience at the national level is desirable,

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

NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and 'Knowledge of' equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

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.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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.