Sustainable Environmental Management Specialist

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.

OHCHR is a United Nations Secretariat department with its Headquarters in Geneva and various types of human rights field presences in over 90 countries. At Headquarters in Geneva, the Office is organized in three Divisions, namely the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division (which develops research in priority areas and supports the High Commissioner’s policies and advocacy in these areas including climate change and the environment and also provides substantive support to the special procedures mechanisms of the Human Rights Council), the Human Rights Council and Treaties Division (providing support to the Human Rights Council, its Advisory Committee and the human rights treaty monitoring bodies), as well as the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (supporting our human rights field presences) as well as Programme Support and Management Services and Executive Direction and Management. OHCHR seeks to be recognized as a lead sustainability advocate within the UN Secretariat by demanding transparency, accountability and a holistic, rights-based approach to sustainability that fully embraces its environmental and social aspects advancing the human right to a healthy environment. OHCHR’s thought-leadership on the human right to a healthy environment should be backed by effective internal sustainability action, operations and management that supports a paradigm shift in sustainable development practices within and outside the UN system. By taking more effective sustainability action now, OHCHR has the opportunity to influence broader, potentially more impactful UN Secretariat wide and business practices. Taking internal action to implement the highest possible sustainability standards will amplify OHCHR’s advocacy throughout the environmental policy space including with respect to efforts to improve sustainable environmental management systems within and outside the UN Secretariat.

Under the direct supervision of the chair of the OHCHR Sustainable Environmental Management Group or his delegate, the UN Specialist Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support OHCHR’s internal Sustainable Environmental Management Group, its sub-groups and inter-office coordination efforts; • Support the development, monitoring and implementation of OHCHR’s organizational effectiveness action plan on sustainability and an Environmental Management System (EMS); • Contribute to the development and implementation of OHCHR strategies, policies and practices on sustainable environmental management including with respect to procurement, facilities, waste management and travel; • Research, review and analyse information related to human rights and sustainability including environmental management systems and good practices; • Review existing policies and practices; and analyse operational data in liaison with internal OHCHR counterparts to feed into the development of new activities and practices; • Strengthen OHCHR field office capacity related to sustainable environmental management through provision of direct technical support and development of appropriate tools, training and capacity-building activities; • Contribute to the set up and management of a small seeding change programme, where internal sustainability related project proposals are evaluated, selected, operationalized and monitored; • Contribute to sustainability efforts and GHG reporting for OHCHR within the United Nations system including through Sustainable UN, Greening the Blue and under the UN Sustainability Strategy 2020 – 2030 including, but not limited to, by collecting, analysing and reporting related data and supporting data collection for the carbon footprint of OHCHR HQ and its country presences; • Contribute to the development of strategic institutional partnerships and joint activities in the field of sustainable environmental management including 2050 Today; • Support OHCHR advocacy related to sustainable environmental management and human rights including the human right to a healthy environment; • Contribute to statements, speeches and reports by the High Commissioner and other senior staff on the issue of sustainable environmental management; • Liaise with representatives of governments, regional and international organisations, human rights treaty bodies, special procedures, and civil society organisations on human rights and sustainable environmental management; • Perform other related duties as required.

Results/Expected Outputs:

On completion of the assignment, the UNV will be able to: • Draft substantive briefing notes, talking points, and reports on human rights and sustainable environmental management; • Develop tools and materials on sustainable environmental management and human rights and carry out capacity-building activities; • Research issues involving sustainable environmental management; and • Critically assess developments in the area of sustainable environmental management; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Integrity and professionalism • Accountability • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Communication • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

human rights, sustainable development and/or environmental management and administration; Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; Experience working on human rights and environmental management is desirable.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, there are no direct threats to UN personnel or assets within the country. It is the incumbent’s responsibility to comply with immigration, customs and health requirements while entering/exiting the country. The incumbent is responsible for finding and securing their own accommodation. Geneva is a cosmopolitan metropolis with modern amenities, cultural attractions, public transportation restaurants, and nightlife.