Programme Officer

NOTE:

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 is a temporary vacancy.  Appointment against this post is for a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise for renewal.

                                                              

VACANCY NOTICE NO.:	NA-13-04
ORGANIZATION:	UNEP/DEWA/CDB
DUTY STATION:	Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:	Programme Officer
GRADE:	P-4
BAC NUMBER:
DURATION:	10 months, starting in February 2013
CLOSING DATE:	29/01/2013

Background:

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 Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. This position is located in DEWA’s Capacity Building  Branch (CDB). Under the overall guidance of the Chief, CDB, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

Responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the results-based management and delivery of UNEP’s capacity development programme in early warning and assessment: Play an active role in programme planning, and partnership building. Contribute to the planning of the early warning assessment capacity development programme. Promote strategic capacity development partnerships to support the overall training programme. Review and develop new environmental assessment training resources.
2. Develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate assigned capacity building projects: Prepare project documents and funding proposals. Assist in the preparation of UNEP Global Environment Facility (GEF) capacity building project documents. Prepare sub contracts for project implementation. Monitor and review project implementation. In charge of quality assurance mechanisms for all aspects of the project. Initiate and coordinate outreach activities.
3. Technical support and guidance to Regional Offices: Undertake capacity development activities at the regional and sub-regional levels. Conduct training workshops. Review draft documents. Make presentations. Ensure timely disbursement of capacity development funds. Promote South-South cooperation among all relevant stakeholders. Liase with national stakeholders.
4. Support UNEP’s participation in Delivering as One: Participate in development of specialized training courses. Contribute to Common Country Assessment (CCA) and United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) processes. Participate in the work of UNEP steering committees and expert working groups.  Support and assist UNEP staff in the regions with programme implementation and strategy and workplan developments.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Proven technical expertise in environmental assessment and state-of-the-art approaches to capacity building, including experience in developing countries or economies in transition; Capacity to mobilize resources for new initiatives; Shows pride in work and achievements; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges and takes initiative in identifying alternatives to overcome them; Knowledge of UN processes and operations at the global, regional and national levels.

Planning and organizing: Proven ability to plan, organize and manage projects; Ability to coordinate  other initiatives of the Organization as well as governments, UN partners and technical organizations; Ability to organize and service inter-governmental bodies and technical meetings.

Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Communication: Excellent written, oral and presentation skills, including the ability to draft and edit reports, studies and other documents; Ability to effectively facilitate and present at meetings and conduct training sessions. Ability to provide advice and guidance.

Qualifications:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in environment, sustainable development, environmental management/policy/economics. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first-level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

Experience:

A minimum of  seven years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme implementation in environmental assessment, environmental information,  capacity-building, or related areas of work.

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Due to nature of work at regional level, working knowledge of  French is also required.  Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

See UN website: http:www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. All applications to be sent to the following address on or before the deadline of 29/01/2013. Applicants should send a completed United Nations P.11 or Personal History Form together with a covering letter of one to two pages summarizing how they meet the requirements of the job to:                          e-mail: dewahrassistant@unep.org UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the email address above. PLEASE QUOTE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO.:            NA-13-04 (Applications without Correct Vacancy Number will not be Considered) 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.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.