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 171,478 USD and 221,086 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 Transboundary Cooperation Section in the Environment Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. 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. The Environmental Affairs Officer is under the direct supervision of the P5, Chief of Section, and under the general supervision of the D1, Director of the Environment Division. This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six (6) months. Any appointment or extension beyond that period is subject to extension of the mandate and approval of funding.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section, Environment Division and with guidance from the Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), the incumbent will be responsible for and manage the Water Convention's programme area on "Supporting National Policy Dialogues (NPDs) on Integrated Water Resources Management in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia" by managing extrabudgetary projects in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as related activities in these sub- regions. The main objective of the NPDs is to improve the management of water resources, in particular of transboundary waters in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, by improving the legal and regulatory framework. The incumbent will manage the NPDs, provide strategic and technical expertise to the process and be responsible for the relation with donors and with partners (in particular the European Commission, other bilateral donors, OECD and other partners), including fund-raising, reporting, etc. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Manages the National Policy Dialogue process with a focus on Integrated Water Resources Management, transboundary water cooperation and water and health issues. -Manages the National Policy Dialogues (NPDs) by, among others, facilitating the work of national Steering Committees with the direct participation of high-level decision makers. -Directs, in cooperation with the Steering Committees and their chairs in the respective countries, the achievement of the NPDs strategic objectives and guide the development and implementation of the national NPD work plans. -Produces and delivers substantive and strategic presentations/reports during Steering Committee and other meetings. -Liaises and ensures coordination with activities and projects related to the NPDs, relevant activities of partners in the region and other activities under the Water Convention and its Protocol on Water and Health. -Assists national authorities in building consensus and articulating common positions, by providing technical and policy advice on a broad range of issues related to water governance and integrated water resources management. -Supervises the work of government-appointed rapporteurs and consultants to the secretariat, interns and other resource persons in the drafting of legislation and preparation of draft proposals, research studies and background papers on subjects related to the NPD process. -Contributes strategically and substantively to the policy packages and other activities developed in the framework of the NPDs. -Participates and represents UNECE in meetings on issues related to the NPD process. • Manages and develops the project(s): -Is responsible for the administrative and financial aspects of the project(s) and arrange for the appropriate use of funds. -Oversees consultancy contracts, grant agreements and other needed contracts to carry out activities under the NPDs. -Is responsible, as programme manager, to meet the deadlines for specific tasks established in the annual work programme, such as preparation of the budgets and other working documents. -Identifies and develops partnership with donors, private sector and other actors in the field. -Produces project reports to the donors according to project documents. -Drafts project proposals, develops budgets and fundraises for activities. -Provides information required by UN organizations, donors and other partners. • General -Performs other related duties as required and assists the rest of the Convention's secretariat to implement the programme of work under the Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health. -Represents the ECE secretariat at international meetings and be willing to travel as required. -Provides input to ECE senior management in his/her field of expertise as requested and required. -Drafts publications, press releases public relations bulletins and other communication material. -Publishes information on the Convention's website and keep the webpages on the NPDs updated. -Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to water and other environmental issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to manage and coordinate projects and programmes at the international level. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 the 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 (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in environmental management, science, law, engineering, economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international levels in the areas related to water resources management or environmental management is required. Experience in managing environmental or water projects at the national or international levels is required. Experience in servicing multi-stakeholder intergovernmental processes and meetings is desirable, preferably in connection with global or regional environmental legal instruments. Experience in resource mobilisation and reporting to donors is desirable. Experience in providing policy and technical advice on water or environmental issues to national authorities is desirable. Relevant professional experience in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia 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 and Russian is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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 resources. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval and extension of the mandate. • 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. • 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. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • 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.