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's Ecosystems Division
works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance
and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and
strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and
countries with economies in transition.
This position is located in the Ecosystems Division
at the Geneva duty station. The incumbent of the position reports to the Head
of the Biodiversity and Land Branch and will be responsible for the following
duties:
Responsibilities
• Directing substantive support to consultative and
other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics,
identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. This
includes the high-level TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity)
Advisory Board.
• Managing outreach activities; design of and
conducting training workshops, seminars, etc., making presentations on assigned
topics/activities.
• Leading field missions, including provision of
guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and
drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinating activities related to budget and
funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports,
financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports
(pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Serving as an effective spokesperson and
establishing collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels
inside and outside the organization.
• Ensuring effective utilization, supervision and
development of staff; guiding, evaluating and mentoring staff.
• Taking the lead in developing, implementing and
evaluating assigned programmes/projects for the Economics of Nature Unit and
for The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB); directing subordinates
in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment;
directing review of relevant documents and reports; identifying priorities,
problems and issues to be addressed and proposing corrective actions; liaising
with relevant parties; identifying and initiating follow-up actions.
• Ensuring implementation of gender mainstreaming
guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned
action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all
levels.
• Directing research and programme evaluation and
presenting information gathered from diverse sources on inter alia TEEB for
Agriculture and Food; TEEB for Oceans and Coasts and the valuation and policy
mainstreaming components of ecosystem accounting under the System of
Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA).
• Coordinating policy development; reviewing the
assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research
activities and studies.
• Undertaking survey initiatives; guiding design of
data collection instruments; reviewing, analyzing and interpreting responses,
identifying problems/issues and preparing conclusions.
• Supervising preparation of various written
outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and
studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze
data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven
planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone
can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Performing other related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM:
Ability to identify key strategic issues,
opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and
compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links
between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Demonstrated
ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or
overseeing the planning, development and management of operation. Demonstrated
ability to negotiate and apply good judgment 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. 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
audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people
informed.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors
commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed
time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational
regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes
responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for
his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
LEADERSHIP:
Serves as a role model that other people want to
follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in
developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains
relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain
support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable
solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo;
shows the courage to take unpopular stands. 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.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE:
Delegates the appropriate responsibility,
accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles,
responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately
judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches
task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly
discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages
risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the
development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or
equivalent) in environmental economics, resource economics, or ecological
economics or a related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with
two 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 ten (10) years of progressively
responsible work experience in project or programme management for applications
of economics in environment and development programs or related area is
required
At least five (5) years experience at the
international level is required.
Relevant professional experience in ecosystems
management, developing projects and raising funds for environmental
programmes/projects, specifically on leading research experience in agriculture
and food systems, is required.
Experience in national or international policy
development is desirable.
Experience in data analytics or related area is
desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the
United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is
required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of other official UN
languages 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 (1) 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.
Applicants, who successfully go through a
competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or
inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings
at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application
information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such
applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings,
subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no
guarantee of a future selection.
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.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to
applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in
the recruitment process.
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.
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