Environmental Affairs Officer

Jan 21, 2021 | UN Global Service Centre
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The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all peacekeeping and special political missions around the world.

This position is located in the Environmental Technical Support Unit, Planning and Sourcing Support Section, Supply Chain Service, based in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi. The incumbent will report to the Chief Environmental Technical Support Unit (ETSU). 

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief ETSU, and in line with the established United Nations Rules and Procedures, the incumbent is responsible for supporting missions in implementing the Standard Operating Procedure for Environmental Impact Assessments. In fulfilling some of the duties and responsibilities, the incumbent may be required to travel to remote locations in field missions for site assessments.


Within delegated authority, the Environmental Affairs Officer (Impact Assessments) will be responsible for the following duties:


Policy and Guidance

  • Participate in the drafting and/or review of various environmental guidance documents, including integrating and institutionalizing the approved methodology to control and minimize environmental impacts, with a view to review and update the SOP (including through the participation of practitioners and experts to collect and integrate lessons-learned after implementation);
  • Review environmental assessments and surveys of operations in missions;
    Review missions' Environmental Action Plan (EAP), suggesting ways to institute control, and methods to improve infrastructure and services to reduce cost and environmental footprint for the United Nations;
  • Assist in the review of all relevant policies, and provide inputs to mainstream environment in all guidance documents;
  • Prepare various written outputs, e.g. input to communication materials, briefing notes, and talking points for senior management.

Environmental Action Plan – Implementation

  • Participate in the technical review of offers submitted, studies and discussions to determine the extent of work required to mitigate identified impacts. Present alternative solutions to identified problems;
  • Draft papers, technical documents, advice notes and operational guidance to support the mainstreaming and implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment framework;
  • Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the missions' EAP, including data collection and reporting;
  • Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon at the missions;
  • Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, health hazards and other environment-related incidents;
  • Recommend to the Chief ETSU and management to undertake such measures as may be required to prevent or mitigate environmental problems;
  • Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies, and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the Department and/or the missions.

Awareness and Training

  • Develop appropriate training and guidance materials to support missions in implementing environmental impact assessments across their operations, with a focus on capacity building;
  • Undertake outreach activities and promote awareness on environmental issues;
  • Liaise with DPO/DOS DPET Integrated Training Services to develop a strategy of environmental briefing to all mission personnel including police and military contingents during their induction training;
  • Facilitate the network of Mission Environment Affairs Officers and Environmental Focal Points by sharing best practices and lessons learned from missions and/or organizations, and by managing the online Peace Ops Environment Community website.

Coordination and Partner Relations

  • Provide support in liaising on environmental issues with Permanent Missions and member states and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies;
  • Evaluate opportunities to extend this support to host nations to build local capacity;
  • Participate in or lead field visits, including provision of guidance to external consultants and other parties and drafting mission summaries;
  • Prepare DOS responses and inputs (and representing DOS as necessary) for interagency working groups on environmental/sustainability management established under the Environment Management Group (EMG) or the UN Secretariat Steering Group on Environmental Sustainability Management; and
  • Perform any other tasks required to support the DPO/DOS Environmental Policy for UN Field Missions and the environmental objectives.

Competencies

  • Professionalism: Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to environmental management, environmental conflict, and sustainable development. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, and development of operational plans. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Proven ability to analyze complex data and produce reports leading to sound policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development; Ability to identify key emerging sustainable development issues and related policy implications. 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.
  • 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
  • Planning and 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 environmental management, science, environmental engineering, law, natural resources management, urban planning, development and social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 years’ experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Environmental Impact Assessment certification is desirable.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the environmental management field with a national government/administration, a large firm or international organization, including policy-oriented work, on a broad range of issues relevant to post conflict intervention, organizational management, environmental management, or environmental assessment is required.
  • Experience in coordinating environmental management in an international organization is desirable.
  • Experience in supporting change management in a large organization or complex, strategic setting is desirable.
  • Experience in project planning, evaluation or oversight of environmental compliance is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

  • This temporary job opening is for an initial period of 364 days with a possibility of an extension. Both internal and external candidates are encouraged to apply. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
  • 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.

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.


The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.


Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.