Environmental Affairs Officer - United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi

Job Title: Environmental Affairs Officer (Project Post), P4

Department/ Office
United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station
NAIROBI

Job Opening number

13-PGM-UNEP-27813-R-NAIROBI (E)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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.

UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental law and policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit, Climate Change and Adaptation and Terrestrial Ecosystems Branch of UNEP/DEPI in Nairobi. Under the supervision of the Head, UNEP UN-REDD Team and in close collaboration with the Coordinator of the Biodiversity/Land Degradation portfolio of UNEP's Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Facilitate the linkages between the UN-REDD Programme and broader UNEP activities related to forest policy, forest ecosystem management, and sustainable land-use.

2. Coordinate the development of forest-related GEF projects that are complementary to the UNEP activities under the UN-REDD Programme.

3. Facilitate the coordination of the forest-related activities within UNEP, and contribute to the integration of relevant forest-related expertise into the work of other Units and Divisions.

4. In close collaboration with the Environmental Economist of the UNEP UN-REDD team, conceptualize and contribute to key reports linking forest ecosystems and their services to green economy transitions.

5. Draft and coordinate UNEP inputs to the work of Collaborative Partnerships on Forests (CPF) and represent UNEP at technical CPF meetings.

6. Provide capacity building support to developing country governments on key issues related to forest policy reform and improvements of forest governance.

7. Collaborate with the UNEP UN-REDD Programme Regional Technical Advisor for Africa to support the implementation of national and international consultants engaged in the implementation of projects related to the implementation of the forest-related Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

8. Draft, edit and secure clearances for key documents and missions reports.

9. Establish and maintain contacts and generate good will with current and potential partners, funds managers and non-traditional sources of funds. Translate opportunities into concrete partnership activities, outputs and goals at the project and thematic levels.

10. Analyse the objectives and scope of major regional and sub-regional REDD+ meetings and workshops; advise on UNEP's participation in and eventual contribution to such events; report on events and propose and co-ordinate subsequent follow-up activities, and represent UNEP at key technical workshops in the region

11. Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences etc.

12. Select and supervise project consultants, and contribute to the development of UNEP legal instruments for project implementation.

13. Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Knowledge and understanding of the global forest and climate change debate; understanding of REDD+, and of forest policy, ecosystem management and economics. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; has excellent judgement, including in establishing and maintaining working relations with senior government officials; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication:

Highly developed communication skills (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational), including the ability to present sensitive issues/positions and prepare reports on short notice, and the ability to communicate complex topics in easily and widely understood manner.
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

Ability to work collaboratively to achieve organizational goals in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Planning and Organizing:

Ability to identify priorities, work to tight deadlines, handle concurrent projects and coordinate the work of others.
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Clear ability to plan and execute complex undertakings such as organizing international conferences.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in forest policy, forest management, natural resources management, or environmental economics.
A first university degree with a combination of two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

At least 7 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in forest policy, forest management, climate change or ecosystem management, including at least three years at the international level with key international organizations related to forests and climate with emerging forest issues.
Experience in policy development is required.
Working experience at any UN agency is an asset.
Working experience in a developing country is an asset.
Private sector experience would be an asset.
Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations.

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. Knowledge of French and other UN languages would be 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.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of 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. This position is funded for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

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.

How to Apply:

https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=27813

Deadline:18/05/2013