Department/ Office
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
Duty Station
NAIROBI
Posting Period
21 December 2010-20 January 2011
Job Opening number
10-PGM-UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME-17973-R-NAIROBI (O)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems 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 policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in UNEP/DEPI at the Nairobi duty station. The Project Officer reports to the head of the Ecosystem Services Economics Unit of UNEP/DEPI.
Responsibilities
The focus of this post is to lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, operations and other activities related to Projects on Ecosystems Services (ProEcoServ). The incumbent will develop, implement and evaluate assigned projects; Monitor and analyze project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties and ensure follow-up actions. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following: 1. Technical assistance support assignments, in collaboration with clients at the project sites: Plan facilitating workshops; Assist in developing action plans that clients will use to manage the change. 2. Research, review, analyze and interpret responses and reports from project sites; Identify problems/issues; Prepare conclusions and consolidated reports; Organize and prepare written outputs such as draft background papers, analysis, progress reports and studies and inputs to project publications. 3. Coordinate project activities on policy development including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of project impact evaluation or equivalent studies. 4. Provide substantive backstopping to project consultative and other meetings, conferences; Propose agenda topics, identify participants, prepare documents and presentations. 5. Initiate and coordinate project outreach activities; Conduct training workshops and seminars; Make presentations on assigned topics/activities. 6. Lead and/or participate in field missions; Provide guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties; Draft mission summaries. 7. Coordinate activities related to budget funding and prepare related documents/reports 8. Perform other related duties.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of Ecosystem Services Economics, Ecosystem Assessment and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment follow-up; Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
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.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area; Experience in and familiarity with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) and MA Follow-up initiatives with specific experience in biodiversity conservation initiatives required; Experience in the design and/or implementation of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and in the field of economic valuation of Ecosystem Services required; Experience in UN and GEF-funded projects of a similar nature and complexity desirable.
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 another UN official language is an advantage.
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.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
1. 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. This position is funded for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension..
2. 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. If the problem persists, please send an email to recruitment@unon.org, quoting the job opening number in the subject header of your email.
