GEF STAP Strategic Advisor

Senior Environment

Overview

Provide strategic advice on risk appetite and programming for GEF.

You have:

• An advanced university degree in a relevant field is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in relevant research is required.
• A peer-reviewed publication record on issues relevant to the GEF is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work across the GEF’s focal areas is required.
• Exceptional analytical, research, writing, and communication skills are required.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of French and/or another UN language is desirable.

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

This Vacancy Announcement is being published by the Water & Energy Cluster on behalf of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) to the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Background information: Water and Energy Cluster (WEC)

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and as part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Group, has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

STAP Secretariat

The STAP is supported by a Secretariat comprising UNEP staff members, which provides substantive and operational support in delivering the STAP mandate to the GEF Partnership.

Background information: UNEP

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Science Division, which hosts the STAP Secretariat, 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. UNEP is an equal opportunity employer.

Background information: GEF

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established 30 years ago on the eve of the Rio Earth Summit to tackle our planet’s most pressing environmental problems. They have a unique mandate as a financing mechanism for a number of MEAs: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the Minamata Convention on Mercury; and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The GEF also supports global and regional agreements on international waters, and transboundary water management. The GEF’s mission is to safeguard the global environment by supporting developing countries to meet their commitments under these agreements. The GEF’s sectoral responsibilities are often mutually supportive, which enables the synergies between them to be harnessed in a more holistic way.

Background information: job-specific The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is seeking a Strategic Advisor to support its work on risk appetite and advice on the GEF on future programming.

Candidates should have outstanding academic and technical credentials and a passion for tackling global environmental and sustainable development challenges. They should demonstrate the ability to work in a transdisciplinary manner that integrates environmental science, social science, and policy to address complex socio-ecological problems.

STAP was established to provide independent scientific and technical advice on the GEF’s policies, strategies, programs, and projects. UNEP provides the STAP’s Secretariat and operates as the liaison between the GEF and the STAP. STAP is hosted by UNEP’s Early Warning and Assessment Division. STAP reports directly to the GEF Council and comprises a Chair and Panel Members focused on the GEF Focal Areas: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, biodiversity, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste. At the discretion of the STAP Chair, Senior Advisors are recruited to support the work of the STAP on specific topics/issues pertinent to the work of the GEF.

Panel Members and Advisors provide intellectual leadership in their particular area of expertise, and they are expected to work effectively across the GEF’s focal areas, including advising on cross-cutting issues and integrated programming outside their area of expertise.

Functional Responsibilities

The Strategic Advisor will perform the following functions: Lead, under the guidance of the STAP Chair, and in coordination with the STAP Secretary, STAP engagement with the GEF Secretariat to develop and operationalize the GEF Risk Appetite Framework. Specifically: • Support the refining of guidance for project and program-level risk identification and monitoring, ensuring that STAP strategic advice on innovation and risks is well reflected, including preparing a STAP paper on how to reflect innovation and related risk identification in design. • Contribute to developing portfolio-level monitoring and reporting on risk-reward linking with STAP’s work on metrics and indicators of transformational change. • Contribute to dialogue with the GEF IEO on how to evaluate the implementation of the risk appetite framework, linking innovation, risk, and results. • Support the development of mechanisms for learning within and across program areas to better identify and manage risks and to learn where and how innovative approaches are yielding results (and where they are hitting barriers) and how to leverage this learning in strategic decision-making to improve the overall investment portfolio and accelerate progress towards GEBs.

Lead, under the guidance of the STAP Chair, and in coordination with the STAP Secretary, the development of STAP advice to the GEF on its Ninth Replenishment (GEF-9). Specifically: • Lead initial discussions with STAP Panel Members and Secretariat on the focus of STAP strategic advice to the GEF on GEF-9. • Design, in collaboration with the Panel and moderate STAP convening of external experts and scientific societies, as well as the GEF Family, on the focus of STAP strategic advice to the GEF on GEF-9. • Co-lead the drafting of STAP strategic advice to the GEF pre-GEF-9 replenishment.

Provide strategic advice on other related topics as requested by the STAP Chair.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - An advanced university degree (e.g., Masters) in a relevant field, e.g., environmental science, environmental policy, economics, systems analysis, environmental law, political science, institutional analysis, or sustainability studies is required. - A first-level university degree (e.g., Bachelor) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience Professionalism

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in research on sustainability issues, including in developing countries, is required.
• A peer-reviewed publication record on issues of relevance to the GEF is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an integrated, interdisciplinary manner across the GEF’s focal areas, with solid experience in systems thinking is required.
• The capacity to bridge scientific, technological, economic, social, and policy issues in the public and private sectors is required.
• Active engagement with scientific networks and partnerships on environmentally sustainable development in developed and developing countries is required.
• Exceptional analytical, research, writing, and communication skills are required.
• Familiarity with and understanding of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and knowledge management is desirable.

Leadership - Demonstrated expertise and leadership in global environmental issues and sustainable development, supported by a peer-reviewed publication record is required. - Demonstrated ability to initiate and manage scientific research with multiple stakeholders in different geographical settings is required. - Knowledge of the scientific processes required for the implementation of MEAs in developing countries is desirable.

Desirable competencies - Enthusiasm and commitment to dealing with global environmental issues, sustainable development, and transformational change. - Ability to collaborate effectively and remotely in a multicultural team and share responsibilities. - Ability and willingness to travel globally. - A good sense of humor.

Languages - Fluency in oral and written English is required. - Knowledge of French and/or another UN language is desirable.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Retainer

Contract level: IICA-3 (ICS-11)

Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension based on performance and needs of the organization.

Remuneration: Quarterly, based on actual days reported and approved.

Time Commitment

For this role, the Strategic Advisor will be expected to provide the number of days required to meet the specific responsibilities for this position up to 65 days per year. The Strategic Advisor will also participate in STAP Panel Members meetings and may be requested to attend meetings and undertake trips, for example, workshops or meetings related to the topics covered. Most STAP business is transacted online and by teleconference.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link.

The screening of your application will be conducted based on the information in your profile. Before applying, we strongly suggest that you review your UNOPS Jobs profile to ensure completeness, especially the education and experience sections.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org