Closing date: 16 May 2009
Location: Kenya - Nairobi
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 Law and Conventions (DELC) identifies synergies and promotes the substantive collaboration among Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). DELC also encourages interlinkages between UNEP's programme and those of MEAs. This post is located in UNEP/DELC at the Nairobi duty station.
Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Director, DELC and the direct supervision of the Regional Director, Regional Office for Africa (ROA), the Programme Officer will:
1. Support UNEP's programme of work for ecosystems and biodiversity: Integrate UNEP's Ecosystem Management programme across national and regional priorities and action plans; Enhance cross-sectoral cooperation for integrated management across ecosystem types; Promote integration of ecosystem services into national planning processes; Develop and support capacity-building; Assist in data collection and information gathering; Facilitate scientific assessment and knowledge networking; Facilitate the internalization of externalities through exchanges of commitments on various environmental issues; Identify emerging priorities, challenges and opportunities for UNEP's interventions in national and regional programmes and processes including on issues of conservation and development.
2. Act as the focal point for the MEAs Secretariat: Support the preparation and dissemination of implementation actions under MEAs; Serve as the focal point for the capacity building programme for implementation of MEAs in Africa, Pacific and Caribbean (ACP) countries; Assist in the preparation of MEA focal points on issues for discussion at the Conference of the Parties (COP) and other related negotiation processes; Support the implementation of national and regional activities; Assist with the monitoring and reporting requirements by MEAs and related processes on compliance and enforcement of MEAs; Ensure the implementation and mainstreaming of UNEP's programmes and MEAs [COP and the Meetings of the Parties (MOP) decisions]; Support the national and regional implementation of MEA decisions; Assist countries in preparation for various MEA events and processes.
3. Assist UNEP Regional Offices, regional institutions and national governments including relevant stakeholders: Support general environment processes at the national and regional levels; Facilitate dialogue for direct participation in problem identification and policy analysis; Assist in technology transfer, including South-South cooperation and promote the adoption of best options; Ensure coordination with institutions with primary implementation responsibility, national governments, UN Agencies, business, civil society organizations; Make better use of synergies between the MEA Conventions for supporting coordination at national and regional levels.
Competencies
Professionalism: Good knowledge of the work of UNEP and the MEAs and advanced technical knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems issues; Affinity with the United Nations and its policies, procedures and operations; Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, synthesize and generate quality products; General understanding of environmental issues; Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues; Ability to review and edit the work of others; Ability to advice on problems with proven capacity to lead to fact-based and practical recommendations and creative solutions.
Communication: Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; Proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; Ability to prepare reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.
Teamwork: Good inter-personal skills; Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of diverse national and cultural backgrounds; Ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavor.
Qualifications
Education: An advanced university degree in environmental sciences, social sciences, environmental management or in a related field. A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of working experience in environmental project/programme development, project administration, implementation and management, of which some should be at the international level, preferably within the UN system. Experience in Biodiversity law-related issues, is strongly preferred.
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in oral and written English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
Other Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet) are required.
How to apply
www.unep.org/vacancies (See Project Positions)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Programme Officer/MEA Focal Point (Biodiversity and Ecosystems) - ROA, L4 Job Vacancy: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
