Consultant

       

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-13-06
ORGANIZATION:	UNEP/Division of Regional Cooperation (DRC)
DUTY STATION:	Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:	Consultant
GRADE:	Level A
DURATION:	March – September 2013
CLOSING DATE:	22/02/2013

Background:

This consultancy is located in the United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Regional Cooperation at the Nairobi duty station.  Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, DRC, the consultant will carry out the following duties:

1.      Support the development of the biannual UNEP Programme of Work (POW) component on UNEP country-level engagement and the integration of environment sustainability in UN Common Country Programming processes (CCA/UNDAF); Contribute to the development of project documents to deliver the relevant regional-based POW outputs.

2.      Liaise with UNEP Delivering as One (DaO) Regional Coordinators and provide backstopping support to UNEP engagement with the UN Country Teams, Country Analysis/UNDAFs, One UN programmes; Support and facilitate UNEP internal discussions and consultations to enhance coordinated and coherent UNEP country-level operations; Co-ordinate the organization of the annual internal strategic planning retreat; Represent UNEP in relevant meetings of the UN Country Teams and national processes.

3.      Operational effectiveness: Provide substantive technical inputs in the operationalisation of key components of the Guidance Note on UNEP operations and engagement at country level and provide regular advice on UNEP’s practical and effective country-level engagement as “One UNEP”. Liaise with staff of UNEP Regional Offices compile and analyze priority issues to guide UNEP’s engagement on One UN programmes, CCA/UNDAFs and other country programming processes and; document and important lessons emerging from this engagement;

4.      Capacity Development: Provide capacity development support to UNEP staff on common country programming process.

5.      Project management: Coordinate the management of the UNDAF projects including development of annual work plans, budget management,  monitoring and reporting.

6.      Knowledge management and communication: Contribute to the development of communication and outreach materials including further development and operationalization of the PIMS programming and reporting module on UNEP country level engagement; in cooperation with the DRC Communications Officer, develop outreach materials to raise awareness about UNEP’s country level engagement 

7.      Funds mobilization; Prepare briefing notes for donor consultations; Draft new fund raising project concepts and documents.

8.      Perform any other duties assigned.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Proven ability to coordinate and implement programmes/projects; Broad knowledge of environment and development issues; Experience in mainstreaming environment in development strategies; Demonstrated ability to research and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources; Ability to prepare comprehensive reports with respect to key environment and development issues; Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Knowledge of the UN system, including the UN common country programming process.

Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills with ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team-based information sharing environment.

Planning and Organizing: Excellent coordination skills, with the ability to work under pressure and handle multiple activities and projects concurrently; Ability to develop clear goals for planned activities, foresee risks and allow for contingency plans; Ability to meet tight deadlines and handle conflicting priorities.

Communication: Ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing; including ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff and senior officials; ability to draft/edit a variety of reports on UN policy issues and strategies relevant to own work as required; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Qualifications:

Education:

Advanced university degree in environmental policy/science, development issues or related field is required.  A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in the field of sustainable development, environmental studies or related area is required.  Experience in the UN country operation and programme in developing regions of the world is desirable.

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. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment.

Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. All applications to be sent to the following address on or before the deadline of 22/02/2013. 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: recruitment@unon.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-13-06 (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.