Geneva: Senior Programme Management Officer

Jun 30, 2014 | United Nations Environment Programme

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. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) provides technical assistance and advisory services to international and national partners, for implementation of environmental law and policy, strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Post-Conflict Branch (PCDMB) provides environmental assistance to post-conflict countries by investigating environmental impacts of conflicts and providing capacity building and technical assistance for post-conflict environmental administrations.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of Branch, the incumbent is responsible for the following tasks: (1). Technical advice on environmental engineering and sustainable energy in fragile states: Participate in the global level policy forum related to fragile states, with an emphasis on the role of environmental engineering and sustainable energy in sustainable post-crisis recovery. Plan the UNEP response to requests from Governments or UN-agencies to develop projects or programmes in environmental engineering and sustainable energy in fragile states. Lead research, needs assessment, planning, design and partners selection processes in partnership with UNEP offices. Liaise with host governments, donors, development banks and bilateral donors at country and HQ level. Provide direct and high level technical assistance to senior government officials on environmental engineering and sustainable energy issues in Haiti and other project countries on request. Lead implementation of the UNEP-project entitled "Haiti Sustainable Energy Project.

Liaise on sustainable energy technical and policy development with the key officials of the Governments of Haiti, Norway, and other key stakeholders including the Governments of the USA and Spain, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

(2). Technical advice to UN DPKO/DFS on environmental safeguards in peacekeeping: Support the implementation of the 2009 Environmental policy for UN peacekeeping operations and the recommendations contained in the UNEP report, "Greening the Blue Helmets: Environment, Natural Resources and UN Peacekeeping Operations" (2012). Provide advice and guidance
to DPKO and DFS on how to implement good environmental practices, behaviours and technologies at the field level by review of technical guidelines, conduct benchmarking and visit peacekeeping missions. Seek to advance the UNEP-DFS-DPKO five year technical cooperation framework - Greening the Blue Helmets - with the overall aim to systematically implement "Environmental Policy for UN Field Missions" (2009) policy across all peacekeeping missions by 2018.

(3). New programme development: In consultation with the Chief of the Post-Conflict & Disaster Management Branch and in cooperation with the Head, UNEP Environmental Cooperation for Peace-building programme, plan new programmes and interventions in the sector of natural resources management in fragile states. Review options for interventions by UNEP in the sector of natural resources management in fragile states and design thematic and country scale programmes accordingly. Prepare the necessary budgets, resource mobilization plans, and approach donors accordingly. Contribute to the development of an overall programme concept on environmental safeguards for the extractive industries in fragile states. Support the development of the first programme component on "environmental safeguards for the oil and gas industry in fragile states" oil-programme that is being developed within the branch, and review related documents when requested by the responsible colleague. Situate the new projects and programmes within the scope of UNEP's biennial programme planning.

(4). Post conflict environmental assessments: Participate in the design and delivery of post conflict environmental assessments. Lead the scoping process, assessment and document design. Build and lead the assessment team from in-house and external resources, lead field missions and liaise with key stakeholders. Oversee and technically contribute to document development, consultation, approval and publication. (5) Branch management and support: Participates as a member of the senior management team of the Post-Conflict & Disaster Management Branch. Provides technical guidance to projects and programmes from other parts of the organization, when requested.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to develop and implement complex and large scale multi-stakeholder technical assistance programmes in an international context. Ability to understand complex and volatile political issues at the country and trans-boundary level, analyze them for programmatic impact and propose solutions. Ability to work under pressure and to use limited time and resources effectively; flexibility to adapt rapidly to changing situations; ability to ensure that the highest possible quality outputs are produced. Ability to provide high level advice on diverse technical issues and problems; Understanding of and ability to engage with key partners such as host governments, UN agencies, multi-lateral development banks, bilateral donors and the NGO sector. Ability to engage with the multinational private sector (mining, oil and gas, energy) at a high level. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines and manage project document formulation, budgeting and reporting;

Communication: Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively; ability to communicate effectively with audiences of various levels of seniority and technical knowledge, tailoring
language, tone, style and format appropriately; ability to communicate with various stakeholders in politically sensitive situations with diplomacy and tact;

Teamwork: Good
interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with professional and technical staff at
senior and junior level from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Particular skills in project team
building and external partnership development;  Leadership: Provides leadership to the
programmes: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing
strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range
of people to understand needs and gain support, takes responsibility for ensuring equal participation of men and women in all areas of work.

Technical: Industry leadership level
ability in country scale environmental assessment and scientific standard reporting and the design and implementation of technically and socially complex environmentally oriented engineering projects in developing countries and post-crisis regions. Solid practical experience and working knowledge of two or more specialist fields within the larger subject of environmental engineering: oil and gas and mining environmental management, renewable energy and energy efficiency, solid waste management and pollution control.

Education

Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) in engineering or earth sciences, or
related field. Post graduate qualifications together with a publication and training track record
within the environmental engineering and/or renewable energy field is an asset. A first-level
university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be
accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least 10 years progressive work experience at the international level, preferably within a
UN programme. Experience at the senior national or international level in the field of environmental or energy with a focus on highly technical project programme management and implementation. At least 5 years’ experience in developing countries is an asset. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

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.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

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.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.