ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 139,275 USD and 179,566 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.

UNEP's Early Warning and Assessment Division (EWAD) is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment.

This post is located in the Big Data Branch of the EWAD in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Global Environment Monitoring Unit, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Coordinate one UN Common Approach to Early Warning for Environment; Develop annual workplan framed by the Environment Early Warning Services strategy within the overall Early Warning and Assessment Division and the Big Data Branch portfolio of Early Warning Services and Data and Analytics and Foresight; Proactive coordination and action to ensure budget constraints are addressed adequately; Improve the strategic approach based on validation with stakeholders and the evolution of the UNEP Programme of Work (PoW) and Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and the implementation of UNEA 5 Ministerial Declaration and Resolution 4/23; Planning, co-coordinating and mobilizing resources to implement programme and working with partner institutions and networks of experts that will enhance the scientific credibility of data that supports early warning services.

2. Partnership building and engagement with UN agencies, Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEA) and relevant Stakeholders; Liaise with the UN agencies and with other international and non-governmental organisations and national focal points with respect to Environment early warning services activities of slow onset hazards, focused environmental assessment programmes and outputs, capacity building and broker partnerships and collaboration; Prepare and organize, inter and intra-agency and expert meetings required to implement the work programme; Participate in international scientific advisory groups and speak at seminars, symposia and other meetings; Oversee and contribute to the preparation of outputs and reports; Oversee the preparation of project documents, Memoranda of Understanding, identify and supervise consultants, United Nations Volunteers and interns in support of the above.

3. Engagement with private sector, civil society and academia; Develop and co-ordinate global and regional technical and scientific co-operation networks comprising: scientific institutions, governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations in UN system; Initiate and maintain agreements, processes and procedures with specialized scientific institutions as well as governmental and inter-governmental structures involved in environmental early warning services management; Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.

4. Capacity Development and Training; As necessary and appropriate, provide technical advice to governments in line with UNEA 3/7 to build the capacity of local government to better Environmental early warning services. In close cooperation with UNEP Divisions and offices, MEAs, strategic partners and relevant national, international organizations and programmes, develop synergies to co-create and co-implement targeted interventions for Environment early warning management.

5. Communication and Outreach; Communication and Outreach within the UN agencies, MEAs and relevant stakeholders on Early Warning for Environment; As necessary and appropriate, to prepare high-level events at UN main activities and with partners; To increase the visibility of Early Warning for the Environment with member states, civil society, academia and private sector and raise awareness of Early Warning Service on slow onset hazards for vulnerable communities.

6. Knowledge Management: Coordinate and manage programme-related best practices, knowledge products and lessons learned systematically used to inform to general public on Early Warning for Environment Programme delivery within the UN systems, MEAs, member states, civil society and relevant stakeholders.

7. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting

8. Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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 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

Advanced university degree (Master͛s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, International Relations, Communication, International Development or a similar related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in project or programme management, communication, networking, partnership building, or related area is required.

Demonstrated project management experience, especially in strengthening meaningful partnerships and collaborations with excellent communication and management of the Environment Early Warning Services within UN systems and MEAs is desirable.

Demonstrated experience in working with the UN system is desirable.

Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area 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 other UN official languages is desirable.

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) 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 and 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.

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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" 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.

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.