Environmental Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the CMS (O/CMS) supports the implementation of the Mission's mandate by providing the necessary managerial, logistical and administrative support, including in areas as budget, finance, human resources management, general services, logistics, occupational safety and health (OSH) and environment. It manages twelve regional offices throughout Afghanistan, including seven regional offices and five provincial offices, as well as one support office in Kuwait and two liaison offices in Tehran and Islamabad respectively.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of Administrative Officer in the Office of the Chief Mission Support, UNAMA, and within limits of delegated authority, the UNV will be responsible for the following duties:

Audit, evaluation and inspection:

Review and update the Environmental policy and measurable objectives on environmental issues in accordance with UN regulations, policy, guidance and recognized best practices;

Conduct environmental assessments and surveys of UNAMA compounds and operations in the mission;

Develop, review and amend environmental baseline studies as needed;

Implement a Mission-wide Environmental Action Plan that supports the achievement of the objectives of the DFS Environment Strategy;

Improve the Mission’s performance on the annual environmental performance and risk management scorecard;

Advice relevant stakeholders on issues arising from the environmental assessment and surveys undertaken;

Establish a list of potentially hazardous installations within the Mission in cooperation with fire marshals or other mission staffs designated to deal with emergencies;

Liaise on environmental issues with local authorities, the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, UNEP and other relevant United Nations bodies and agencies present in the country or region hosting the mission;

Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures in accordance with Mission Environmental Action Plan, as well as directives emanated from the Department of Mission Support;

Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, health hazards and other environment-related incidents. Ensure that all sewage and wastewaters are collected and receive all necessary pre-treatment prior to its discharge in the sewage treatment system and necessary sampling and monitoring of discharges to receiving water is carried out;

Follow up on the implementation of Mission environmental audits;

In coordination

, Creativity, Professionalism, Working in Teams

3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental projects or related areas. Experience in national and/or international organizations in the area of environmental emergency and/or crisis management is a plus.

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in an extensive compound in Kabul with good infrastructure and amenities. The mission has three compounds in Kabul: Compound Alpha, and UNOCA (UN Operational Complex in Afghanistan) the largest one.

Generally speaking stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are quite limited in all Afghan duty stations when it comes to movement, walking virtually not allowed. The movement is done inside the “green box” (only) mostly in armored vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers. Many places are off limits (including restaurants). There is also a curfew throughout the country, generally from midnight to 5:30 am but this can very between duty stations.

There are number of security measures to be compiled with, The UNAMA Security section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing up on arrival in the mission area.

Upon arrival, volunteers are accommodated at the UNV designated accommodations within the UNOCA compound for a fix charge of US$ 10 per day (US$300per month for a room), exclusive of food. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias, a restaurant, a “Superette” and 3 small shops which provide a variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer. There is a Fresh vegetable market daily. There is also a social centre, a gym hall and a small library with books and DVDs, run by the welfare Office, within the same compound.

In the provinces, the situation is different where UN personnel are confined to guess houses in most of the regions, both electricity and water are readily available, although water can sometimes run low as a result of severe droughts in the last couple of years. Most guesthouses have secured water (e.g. through a well in the compound) and generators in the event of power failure.

Medical service is provided in all UNAMA duty stations. There is a UN clinic in UNAMA/UNOCA complex and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics. Most produce/staples are common in the markets e.g. rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt etc. UNOCA has a new minimarket where basic goods can be bought also. There are also a number of UN cleared supermarkets in Kabul, in Jalalabad, and in Mazar-I-Sharif. Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited. As mentioned many places are off-limits and the choice of recreational facilities are very poor.

Living allowances are paid in US$ at the end of each month, but bank transfers by UNAMA to accounts abroad are possible. There are several Western Union money transfer offices in Kabul and an international bank is operating in the UNAMA compound.

Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry but winter is the opposite, cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Most common consumer articles are available in Kabul (and in the regions).

Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are absolutely essential.