Closing date: Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Posting Title: SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER, P5
Job Code Title: SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER
Department/ Office
United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station
NAIROBI
Posting Period
9 January 2015-10 March 2015
Job Opening number
15-PGM-UNEP-38565-R-NAIROBI (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
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.
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Organizational Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. The Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) provides timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental analyses, data and information for decision-making and action planning for sustainable development. It monitors, analyzes and reports on the state of the global environment, assesses global, regional and national environmental trends and provides early warning of emerging environmental threats. The Division works closely with a large number of partners and collaborating centres in all regions of the world, and has established functional networks for data, information, assessments and capacity development. This post is located in the Scientific Assessment Branch (SAB) of UNEP/DEWA at the Nairobi duty station.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Scientific Assessment Branch (SAB), the incumbent will function as Head of Thematic Environmental Assessment, SAB. The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Developing the strategic approach to the work of the section aimed to deliver the relevant mandates of the Division and UNEP in a context of sustainable development and supervise the staff to implement the relevant activities; Planning, co-coordinating and mobilizing resources to implement programmes and activities related to thematic assessments, working with partner institutions and networks of experts that will enhance the scientific credibility of UNEP’s assessment programme; Implementing methods and procedures to integrate and analyze global and regional assessments, data quality and trends of environmental conditions as an element of integrated assessment and global outlook; Developing and co-ordinating global and regional technical and scientific co-operation networks comprising: scientific institutions, governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations in UN regions, intergovernmental organizations active in the field of relevant thematic assessments as mechanisms for co-operation and consultation for the production of global and regional thematic environmental assessments; Initiating and maintaining agreements, processes and procedures with specialized scientific institutions as well as governmental and intergovernmental structures involved in thematic assessments of global significance; As necessary and appropriate, integrating the scientific thematic assessment processes with the monitoring, capacity building, technical co-operation activities of DEWA and in close cooperation with UNEP’s divisions, strategic partners and relevant national, international organizations’ and programmes.
- Liaising with the UN system agencies and with other international and non-governmental organisations and national focal points with respect to intergovernmental assessments activities, focused environmental assessment programmes and outputs, capacity building and broker partnerships and collaboration; Preparing and organizing intergovernmental, interagency and expert meetings required to implement the work of the section and of the branch; Participating in international scientific advisory groups and speak at seminars, symposia and other meetings. Overseeing and contributing to the preparation of outputs and reports; Overseeing the preparation of project documents, Memoranda of Understanding, identifying and supervising consultants, staff and interns in support of the above; Overseeing the implementation of the Programme of work and budget planning, reporting and evaluation; Assuming the overall leadership of the Thematic Environmental Assessment, overseeing and be accountable for the implementation of the Programme of Work and budget planning, reporting and evaluation.
- Supporting the overall management of the branch, the programme planning and evaluation and perform other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to identify key strategic issues and to provide innovative technical and scientific inputs and guidance for the production of integrated, comprehensive, policy relevant, global environmental assessments and reports, including related projects, incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Proven ability to analyze and integrate diverse information and to communicate it (verbally and in writing) clearly and effectively to senior managers; while ensuring that global scientific assessments integrate, reflect and contribute to UNEP’s work in all sub-programme areas. Broad knowledge of environment and development issues; shows pride in work and in achievements; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, remains calm in stressful situation.
Leadership: Demonstrated innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development and management of operations; tact and negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills; empowers others to translate vision into results; shows the courage to take unpopular stands; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Teamwork: Demonstrated team building and team leadership skills. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, in order to achieve organizational goals; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts join responsibility for team shortcomings.
Planning and organization: Track record of excellent time management and ability to meet tight deadlines. Demonstrated ability to plan, budget, coordinate and manage complex projects, including foreseeing risks and allowing for contingencies when planning; uses time effectively; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Proven ability to write in a clear concise manner and to convey complex scientific content to non-technical audiences. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keep people informed; speaks and writes clearly and effectively; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in an area of environmental science or natural resources management, with particular emphasis on the ability to understand and synthesise the many branches of environmental knowledge; PhD an asset. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
At least 10 years progressively responsible experience in environmental assessment and reporting, planning or resource management; proven experience of progressive responsibility for environmental assessment at international or regional level, including capacity building and partnership development in the last five years is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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