Organization: UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Mid level – P-4, International Professional – Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Project and Programme Management
Closing Date:
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division 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’s Ecosystems Division UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the supervision of the Head, Global Environment Facility Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:
Responsibilities
A. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT: 1. Liaises with internal and external partners to identify relevant and eligible project concepts. 2. Discusses and clears such concepts with the Senior Programme Officer. 3. Consults with UNEP’s Divisions and regional offices as necessary. 4. Advises project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer and other reviews. 5. Monitors Global Environment Facility project milestones to avoid delays and potential project cancellation. 6. Addresses Global Environment Facility Secretariat and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel reviews and ensures that Project Review Committee recommendations are considered in further project development by the executing agency. 7. Works with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the Project Preparation Grant upon approval. 8. Supervises Project Preparation Grant execution in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility policies and procedures. 9. Supports Project Preparation Grant execution in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility policies and procedures. 10. Verifies that the project proposals meet Global Environment Facility quality-at-entry standards before submission to Senior Programme Officer and Global Environment Facility Coordination Office for Project Review Committee review. 11. Supports the executing partners in mobilizing Co-financing for the project. 12. Upon Global Environment Facility Chief Executive Officer approval, works with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the project document. B. SUPERVISION OF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: 1. Prepares project supervision plans under his/her portfolio for their entire duration and applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the projects; 2. Organizes and manages the project inception meeting. 3. Provides oversight to project execution and prepares reports in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility criteria, rules and regulations. 4. Participates in Project Steering Committees and ensures that Project Steering Committee fulfills its function. 5. Regularly monitors project progress and performance and rates progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk. 6. Monitors reporting by project executing partners. 7. Promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and takes action and follows up on decisions made. 8. Prepares reports in accordance with Global Environment Facility and UNEP requirements. 9. Maintains adequate project-related documentation. 10. Applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project. 11. Assists with the preparation of project revisions. 12. Reviews project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met. 13. Manages any mandatory project(s) mid-term review. 14. Supports the project terminal evaluation. 15. Takes responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities. C. ECOSYSTEMS DIVISION KNOWLEDGE AND DATA MANAGEMENT: 1. Identifies and codifies lessons emerging from project implementation. 2. Ensures accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects under his/her supervision. 3. Contributes to project data reconciliation exercises within the Division and with the Global Environment Facility Secretariat. 4. Identifies media and other outreach opportunities and materials and provide project information and materials. 5. Participate in events organized by Global Environment Facility and UNEP to disseminate information on project results and lessons. D.UNEP AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY CORPORATE TASKS: 1. Contributes to the Council document reviews as needed. 2. Represents Ecosystem Division in UNEP and Global Environment Facility – related meetings. 3. Participates in the UN Environment Project Review Committees. 4. Provides input to UNEP and Global Environment Facility policy and information documents as necessary. 5. Provides input to Global Environment Facility corporate evaluations, country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and to the preparation of the Management Action Record. 6. Keeps abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develops competencies and skills. 7. Undertakes at least one relevant learning activity each year. 8. Prepares his/her annual work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators. 9. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. 10. Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of approaches relevant to project/programme management, environmental management, biodiversity sciences or related area. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • PLANNING & 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in biodiversity issues in developing countries / countries in transition is required. Experience with conceptualizing and developing projects and programmes in the ecosystems and biodiversity field is desirable. Experience working with the Global Environment Facility is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Working Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand), and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available for an initial 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.