International Consultant for designing and implementing GO4SDGs initiatives in the West Asia region

Environment

Overview

Design and implement regional GO4SDGs initiatives in West Asia.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, environmental management/assessment, climate change, resource efficiency, economics, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project and programme management; experience with environmental projects is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Result of Service The development and implementation of the resource Efficiency Subprogramme is technically supported through preparations of new concepts, facilitating networks, technical workshops and training, as well as drafting and reviewing publications.

Work Location Beirut

Expected duration From: 01 February 2022 To: 31 December 2022

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting, Purpose and Objective: 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 West Asia Office, based in Beirut, Lebanon, coordinates the implementation of UN Environment’s Programme of Work in West Asia, with a focus on enabling member states and stakeholders to achieve their visions for sustainable development. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Coordinator of the Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) programme and the Coordinator of the project “Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals” (GO4SDGs), the consultant will be responsible for the regional GO4SDGs initiatives and will seek to build on UNEP’s leading knowledge while supporting the resource efficiency and SCP programme implementation of West Asia. UNEP’s work in the area of resource efficiency (RE) focusses on supporting regions, countries and businesses in their transition to inclusive green economies. This involves promoting green finance and investments, sustainable trade, mainstreaming of green economy pathways into sustainable development planning and sectoral policies in order to decouple (i.e. delink) economic growth and activity from environmental impact while improving human well-being and job creation. Through its focus on Inclusive Green Economies, the programme pays specific attention to the social dimensions of sustainable development and green economy. Fostering equality, equal participation and the creation of decent jobs are central to human well-being. Sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns are also essential in this regard. Through changing behaviour and consumption patterns, powerful market signals will be sent that will enable the transition to inclusive green economies. The GO4SDGs initiative aims to accelerate regional solutions for inclusive green economies and sustainable consumption and production by sharing best practices and offering science-based knowledge, policy tools and capacity development opportunities in priority areas to “build back better.” GO4SDGs aims to connect the dots towards decarbonization, resource efficiency and sustainability, integrating the circularity, climate and biodiversity agendas. It builds on existing partnerships, tools and pools of expertise around the world to further strengthen regional and local capacities, particularly for those countries transitioning their economies and societies to become more sustainable and inclusive. The core goal of the GO4SDGs initiative is to implement action and change by supporting: governments to strengthen policy coherence; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase capacities and access for financing innovation and circularity; and youth to amplify their voices and empower them to embrace sustainable lifestyles. This contract aims at designing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on a set of regional initiatives framed with GO4SDGs against three main focus areas: 1. Policy Coherence: Scaling up solutions for inclusive green economies & sustainable consumption and production. Providing science-based knowledge on the SCP/RE co-benefits to increase Climate Ambition and accelerate transition to an inclusive green/circular economy. 2. SMEs Innovation: mainstreaming RE in SMEs and advancing financing for circularity. 3. Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Lifestyles: Promoting active engagement of universities, green campuses, and youth empowerment through green campuses, campaigns, innovation awards, and leadership academy on sustainable lifestyles.

• Duties and Responsibilities (Included in JO Posting): Under the direct supervision of the Resource Efficiency Regional Coordinator, in UNEP West Asia Office, the consultant will take the overall responsibility of the following: - Conceptualize, design, and implement the GO4SDGs regional activities, monitoring the impact, and reporting against key performance indicators to the GO4SDGs global coordinator. - Support the SP coordinator in coordinating the West Asia activities with the other regions involved in GO4SDGs and cooperate in cross-regions activities. - Perform capacity building assignments related to the GO4SDGs initiatives, in collaboration with internal and external partners, by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing action plans that Governments, private sector and youth and universities networks will use to manage the change. - Develop training modules in the food waste and sustainable fashion topics, as well as in circularity and other resource efficiency areas. - Create a stakeholder network of SMEs, engaging them though training and other support activities. - Support the conceptualization, planning, and rolling out of raising awareness campaigns, as well as monitoring and reporting on the outreach impact. - Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., proposing agenda topics, concept note, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. - Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate assigned resource efficiency projects. Provide thorough, well-reasoned written contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. - Review relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks followup actions. - Research, analyze, and present information gathered from diverse sources. - Assist in green economy policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends related to circular economy situation in the region, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies on sustainable lifestyle. - Undertake survey initiatives related to resource usage and footprint; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyse, and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions. - Participate in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. - Perform other duties as required, related to the resource efficiency portfolio in the region. - Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. - Provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNEP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: enhance and ensure effective project management by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational and administrative outputs; Strengthening and maintaining a collaborative working relationship with project partners through effective communication, consultation and reporting; Strengthening the effectiveness and finally the completion of the projects within a timely, financial and quality manner.

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in, sustainable development, environmental management/assessment, climate change, resource efficiency, economics, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project and programme management; experience with environmental projects is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations. Solid background in resource efficiency, circular economy, green economy, and other related fields. Previous experience in facilitating and moderating workshops and events, as well as in dealing with multi-stakeholder projects at international level. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English.

  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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org