ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 138,772 USD and 181,712 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 Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention) of the Transboundary Cooperation Section (TCS) in the Environment Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland.

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.

The P3, Environmental Affairs Officer will report directly to the P4, Environmental Affairs Officer, and will be under the overall supervision of the P5, Chief of TCS. Under the direct supervision of the P4 Environmental Affairs Officer (and Secretary of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution), the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the scientific work underpinning the Convention.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides secretariat services to bodies, processes and activities in the framework of the Convention, in particular the Working Group on Effects (WGE) and the EMEP Steering Body (EMEP SB): - Prepares agendas, reports, discussion papers and other pre-session documentation, and Chairman's briefs for meetings of the EMEP SB and WGE, services these meetings and assists the elected officers in the conduct of the meetings. Elaborates draft decisions and recommendations for future action. - Supports the review and revision of protocols, by facilitating the provision of scientific information on the environmental effects of air pollution and its impacts on human health, and coordinates inputs from Parties and scientific centres under the Convention. - Follows up and oversees implementation of decisions taken. Maintains the necessary contacts and correspondence with lead countries/organizations for activities in the Convention's programme of work and works closely with national focal points. - Communicates and exchanges information with other relevant organizations to identify synergies and opportunities for cooperation, particularly addressing linkages with climate change and biodiversity, and other emerging issues. - Supports resource mobilization for funding the scientific programmes under the Convention, in line with the EMEP Protocol and the relevant decisions of the Executive Body. Liaises with countries on payments and keep track of mandatory, voluntary and in-kind contributions. Prepares scales of assessments and schedules of contributions. Compiles information on the use of budgeted resources by centres and other financial information to the EMEP SB, the WGE and the Executive Body. - Establishes and monitors the implementation of MOUs with implementing partners and providing guidance and advice to implementing partners on financial and administrative matters, including reporting requirements.

• Coordinates reporting by Parties to the Convention on their emission levels and projections in accordance with their obligations under protocols. Liaises with the Centre on Emission Inventories and Projections. Keeps record of notifications and requests for adjustment. Provides information on the requirements and methodologies for reporting of emission data. Facilitates the review of compliance by Parties with their emission reduction obligations. • Assists the Secretary of the Convention in the preparation and servicing of the sessions of the Executive Body and in the management of trust funds under the Convention. • Prepares input for use by senior staff within the Division and for the Office of the Executive Secretary, as required. Represents the UNECE Secretariat at international meetings in her/his field of competence. Updates the Convention's website and prepares press releases and other communication and media material to increase awareness on the Convention and its protocols. Drafts publications. Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of international legal instruments in the field of environment. Understanding of environmental issues, with a particular knowledge of air pollution abatement and/or prevention and its linkages with climate change. Excellent drafting skills. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given. 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 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

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in environmental policy, environmental management, economics, engineering, law, natural or environmental sciences or other related discipline is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) in any of the above-specified fields 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 five (5) years of progressively responsible experience related to environmental issues at the national or international level is required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in servicing multilateral environmental agreements is required.

Professional experience in the areas of air pollution and climate change is desirable.

Proven experience in drafting legislation or policy documents is desirable.

Experience in reviewing compliance of Parties with their obligations under multilateral environmental agreements is desirable.

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 is required. Fluency in Russian is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Oct 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.

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.

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.

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.