Legal Officer, P4 Job Vacancy: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Closing date: 17 Jan 2010

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 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 position is located in the United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions at the Nairobi duty station.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief, Climate and Energy Law and Governance Unit, DELC, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

1. Programme Development: Identify, assess and monitor relevant priorities, trends, developments and policies relating to Climate Change and Governance and incorporate them into DELC’s programme proposals;

Provide advice to the Division on emerging issues concerning future undertakings of the parties and the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change); Take initiatives to strengthen the further implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and incorporate new global and regional initiatives to strengthen the reduction of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions.

2. Develop legal frameworks and regulatory mechanisms on UNEP’s climate change programme: Provide technical advice to countries on this subject; Collaborate with relevant multilateral regimes responsible for the development of climate change and energy law to ensure compliance and implementation of these legislations; Develop, in collaboration with UNEP Divisions and other partners, normative tools and methodologies.

3. Liaise with stakeholders to support global and regional inter-governmental climate change processes: Enhance expertise of national stakeholders in climate change and energy governance and compliance through capacity building, networking and training; Monitor on-going and emerging international processes, identifying potential areas for UNEP’s strategic interventions and catalyze UNEP-wide response and actions.

4. Facilitate a series of high-level meetings/fore on the nexus between climate science and climate policy with a particular emphasis on latest findings and negotiations: Guide national negotiators in effective participation in international negotiation process on climate change and energy; Analyze emerging issues related to climate change and energy negotiations and prepare position and policy papers on UNEP’s approach.

5. Represent UNEP in policymaking and substantive inter-agency meetings: Provide guidance and coordinate the scientific, technical and administrative actions; Generate and disseminate reliable information on climate change and energy law issues and approaches;

Identify and develop new portfolio of climate change and energy law, concepts and project proposals; Provide substantive guidance to Governments to help integrate climate and energy law in project proposals; Advise Governments on emerging issues to enable them identify their needs and requirements.

6. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in the field of national and/international law and conventions; Knowledge of MEAs as they are used in the UN system; Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and complex nature.

Team work: Experience and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different backgrounds; Proven record in working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor; Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open and positive environment.

Planning and Organizing: Proven excellent organizational and planning skills; Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and make necessary adjustments as required; Foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning, and ensure timely delivery of results.

Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills; Ability to draft/edit a variety of written technical reports including those of a legal nature, and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, environmental law or related area. 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 environmental programme or related field, five of which should be at the international level, preferably within the UN system. Experience with MEAs and intergovernmental processes with particular emphasis on climate is desirable. Experience in capacity development and training is desirable. Experience in an international or policy analysis setting is an added advantage.

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.

Other Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet) are required.

How to apply

http://www.unep.org/vacancies (See Professional Positions)

Social Worker Job Vacancy: Johari UK

A Social worker who will run an Outreach program to the highest possible standards, with an aim of giving the most vulnerable children an opportunity to go beyond surviving and to develop their talents, self belief, and potential.

Developing strategies of incorporating and monitoring each child’s progress, and the progress of the programme and ensuring that it will have a long term impact through investing in children.

Johari Foundation
P.O.Box 2529 00200
Nairobi
E-mail: info @ johari.co.uk

www.johari.co.uk

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Jobs: Programme Associate, RC Office

The UN is scaling up its recovery and development efforts in Somalia, under the overall coordination and leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office is responsible for supporting the RC and the UN Country Team, carrying out their vision through developing strategic frameworks and work plans, day to day coordination of operational activities of UN Agencies operating in Somalia, streamlining existing coordination mechanisms, harmonizing administrative rules and policies of the UN, supporting common services and premises in advance of the UN Reform Agenda, sharing-information and advocating on key issues and objectives with national partners, donors and other key stakeholders.

In this regard, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Somalia has identified the need to recruit a Programme Associate to support the functioning of the RC Office in Nairobi and in Somalia.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the coordination experts and strategic planners in the Resident Coordinators office as well as with the finance, operations, programme and project staff in UN Somalia.

The programme associate is required to maintain external contacts with the government, civil society, embassies, donors, other UN Agencies and NGOs to exchange information and support programme delivery.

Closing date: 08 Oct 2009

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

Summary of Key Functions:

• Financial management & monitoring
• Administrative support to the RC office
• Provision of logistical and secretarial support through organization of workshops, meetings, & missions.
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.
• Backstopping the executive officer to the Resident Coordinator.

1. Provide effective and efficient financial management and monitoring of the RC Office Budget, focusing on the achievement of the following results

• Provision of efficient support on day to day financial issues to enable better planning.
• Support the formulation of the annual work plan.
• Maintenance of internal expenditure control system which ensures that purchase orders, vouchers and direct payment are prepared and completed and transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas. Preparation of required budget checks, and budget revisions.
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, & unapproved vouchers.
• Preparation and review of financial reports, including expenditure and progress reports against the work plan and amendments made accordingly.
• Track and report on mobilized resources.
• Review of contribution agreements and management in Atlas.

2. Ensure efficient administrative support to the RC office, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support to all administrative functions, including drafting correspondence, organizing meetings and liaison with government officials, UN Agencies, NGOs, donors and civil society are carried out efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Supports all human resource related issues, logistics and procurement in close contact with UNDP Operations staff.
• Maintenance and monitoring of attendance and leave records for all RC Office staff, and submitted to UNDP on a monthly basis.
• Regular liaison with field staff on relevant policies and procedures to ensure effective fulfillment of administrative duties in field offices. Preparation of travel arrangements, including processing of Travel Authorization, documents, payment and security clearances for all RC Office staff traveling. Regular briefing to staff on policies and procedures relating to official travel. Provides guidance on proper completion of travel claims, and follow-up to ensure timely processing.
• Support to protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination with UNDP on space and other administrative matters
• Ensure electronic and paper filing systems are set up and maintained. Record-keeping system is regularly updated for audit and other purposes. Recommendations from audits are carried out.
• Ensures that the RCO is represented in relevant operational (financial, human resources, logistics, administrative, etc) meetings and discussions, and feedback is provided to all RCO staff.

3. Provide logistical and secretarial support to the workshops, meetings, missions, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide secretarial support to workshops, high-level missions, and meetings
• Ensure timely and organized delivery, collection, reproduction and transmission of correspondence, documents, publications, pouch services and administrative supplies.
• Inventories for Nairobi and the field are established and updated.

4. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of training for staff on programme, administrative, financial and operational matters.
• Synthesis of lesson learnt and best practices in programme
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

5. Provide backstop support to the Executive Officer to the UN Resident Coordinator.

• Provide full administrative support to the RC on an as needed basis.
• Other tasks are performed as required.

Impact of results

• Provision of up-to-date and accurate financial information, improving the quality of RCO support to the UN Country Team.
• Improve donor relations and increase future fund raising ability.
• Strong administrative support, increasing the value of day-to-day engagements, meetings and workshops and allow for more efficient delivery of UN programmes in Somalia.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Advanced organizational skills.
• Technological skills, IT experience, including in Microsoft Office and related programmes
• Knowledge of United Nations systems, including UN Reform.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to Results Management, including screening and collecting of programme/ projects documentation, projects data entering, preparation of revisions, filing, and provision of information.
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems, including new IT based systems.
• Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

• Completion of Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences or Social Sciences is desirable but not a requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 to 6 years relevant and progressively responsible work experience in management, human resources, finance and administration.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc) and experience in handling of web based management system.
• Knowledge of budget management is desirable.
• Work experience within the UN or NGO is desirable.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of Somali is desirable.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit electronic application by visiting http://jobs.undp.org/

The closing date for receipt of applications is 8th October 2009.

Applicants are required to fill a P11 Form and submit it together with the Curriculum Vitae on the online application.

Find the P11 form for Fixed Term Contract Holders on this link
http://www.so.undp.org/P11_Form_For_Fixed_Term_.doc

Women and Somali Nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

Swahili Language teacher vacancy

The Language Center at Stanford University invites applications for a full-time three-year position of Lecturer in Swahili beginning September 1, 2009. The position is renewable. Minimum qualifications are an MA in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and/or African Languages, Ph.D. preferable. Applicants should have experience teaching Swahili language as an instructor at the college level. Candidates should be able to teach Swahili language courses at all levels and should possess native or near-native fluency in Swahili with an excellent command of English. Familiarity with standards-based instruction and ACTFL OPI principles, with a commitment to pursuing rater/tester certification preferred. The successful candidate will be expected to assume leadership of the Swahili program and take an active role in the Center for African Studies. The salary is competitive. Applications, including current vita, the names of three persons who can serve as recommenders, and a brief description of teaching philosophy, should be mailed or faxed to

Swahili Language Search Committee,
Stanford Language Center,
Stanford University,
Stanford, CA 94305-2015.
Fax number 650-725-9377.

The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Stanford University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Applications from minority and women candidates are especially encouraged. No phone inquiries please.