Programme Scientific 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 128,450 USD and 165,609 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 The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn - the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS).

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. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA and EUROBATS Secretariats.

In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA and EUROBATS Secretariats. This post is located in the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany.

Under the supervision of the Executive Secretary of CMS, the incumbent is responsible for the following:

Responsibilities 1. Facilitate the work of the CMS Scientific Council and its Sessional Committee, by: a) Maintaining regular communication with key members of the Scientific Council, notably its chairperson, vice-chairperson and the members of its Sessional Committee, with regards to its work program, schedule, procedures and other matters as they arise; b) Serving as Secretary for and coordinating the organization of the meetings of the Scientific Council and of its Sessional Committee and ensure their successful and timely preparation and completion; c) Overseeing and coordinating implementation of the outcomes of meetings of the Scientific Council and its Sessional Committee including the Programme of Work of the Sessional Committee and supporting the activity of selected intersessional working groups; and d) Providing guidance to the Executive Secretary and carry out any other activities related to ensuring the smooth functioning of the Scientific Council and its Sessional Committee;

2. Lead within the Secretariat on implementation of specific COP Resolutions and Decisions on scientific and technical matters, by: a) Supporting the implementation of activities concerning impacts on migratory species related to such cross-cutting issues as climate change, light pollution, and insect decline; b) Acting as technical focal point in the Secretariat on wildlife disease and zoonoses including avian influenza; c) Leading on the preparation of a report on the conservation status of migratory species, to be submitted to the ordinary meetings of the COP; and d) Leading on the development of an Atlas on animal migration;

3. Contribute to CMS COPs, Standing Committee meetings and other CMS meetings and processes, by: a) Preparing, and/or giving input to the preparation of selected documents for meetings of the Conference of the Parties and the Standing Committee; b) Servicing the meetings as a member of the Secretariat; c) Providing guidance on the process for revision of CMS Appendices, and updating the Appendices after each meeting of the COP; and d) Coordinating the technical revision of the format of CMS National Reports and the preparation and analysis of National Reports for regular meetings of the CMS COP;

4. Engage with scientific meetings and processes of other relevant bodies, by: a) Acting as focal point in the Secretariat for the IPBES, inter alia by coordinating input from the CMS Family to relevant IPBES assessments, and analyzing the relevance of IPBES products to CMS; b) Monitoring the development of other relevant reviews and assessments, such as the The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Global Environment Outlook (GEO), the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO), and others, and analyzing their relevance to CMS; c) Acting as focal point in the Secretariat on One Health issues, notably by monitoring progress in the context of the quadripartite collaboration for one health between Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), UNEP and World Health Organization (WHO) and coordinating contributions from CMS as appropriate; d) Liaising with other relevant intergovernmental entities and stakeholders, in particular MEA Secretariats, UNEP, and other relevant organizations on scientific issues of relevance to CMS; and e) Representing the CMS Secretariat in relevant meetings and processes;

5. Provide inputs to the overall work of the CMS Secretariat, by: a) Giving input to the development of strategic plans (or equivalent documents) for the Convention and the assessment of their implementation; b) Supporting the Communications Team in reviewing, maintaining and updating the content of the CMS website from a scientific standpoint, including the CMS species database and the List of Range States of species listed on the CMS Appendices.

6. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting

7. Perform other duties as required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

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.

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.

JUDGEMENT /DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biology, ecology, zoology or environmental studies or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in the field of biodiversity conservation, management of natural resources or related area with up to three (3) years in an international environment is required.

Relevant experience working at the science-policy interface is desirable.

Experience with the IUCN Red List and other relevant conservation databases is desirable.

Experience with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) conference procedures, practices and administrative rules is desirable.

Experience in working on issues related to migratory species of wild animals is desirable.

Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.

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

Special Notice Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.