Kenya: Programme Management Officer

Apr 25, 2023 | UNEP
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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.

This is a UN Environment Programme position, embedded in the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-Horn) as part of the work of the UN Climate Security Mechanism. The Programme Officer will report to the OSE-Horn, and (second reporting line) to UNEP Disasters and Conflicts Branch, Ecosystems Division. The Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa is mandated to support the region in sustaining gains in peace and security, supporting Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in line with the framework for cooperation between the United Nations and IGAD, and other relevant regional organizations in promoting peace and security across the Horn of Africa, inter alia via enhancing sub-regional capacities for conflict prevention and mediation and addressing cross-cutting issues. The Special Envoy is tasked with carrying out a good office's role and special assignments on behalf of the Secretary- General as required. The mission has been tasked with enhancing linkages in the work of the United Nations and other partners in the Horn of Africa region, with a view to promoting a joined-up regional approach, including facilitating coordination and information exchange within the United Nations system. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The incumbent will report to the Senior Political Affairs Officer, Office of the UN Special Envoy to the Horn, with a second reporting line to the Chief, Environmental Security Unit, UNEP and will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

  • Supports the UN Special Envoy in all aspects of work relating to environment, climate change, natural resources, biodiversity, and related issues.
  • Develops analysis relating to the environment and climate change; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
  • Performs advisory functions/assignments, in collaboration with UN, government and international counterparts, including IGAD counterparts, by identifying scientific analysis relevant to the situation on the ground; facilitating the introduction of science-based analysis into policy making processes; facilitating meetings and workshops to communicate analysis; assisting in developing action plans to address identified environmental challenges, with all relevant partners.
  • Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, and serving as rapporteur for Pillar 4 of the UN regional strategy for the Horn of Africa.
  • Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes, and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
  • Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
  • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
  • Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
  • Works with government and other relevant counterparts, including donors, to propose action plans to address priority environment- and climate-related issues.
  • Leads and/or participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to UN and government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
  • 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.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sector, functional area or another specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.



TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 environment, development studies, international relations, geography, economics or a related field is required.
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work 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 desired.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in international affairs,project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
  • Experience working in an international organization in a conflict-affected or developing country context, especially in the Horn of Africa, is desirable.
  • Experience working with government counterparts is desirable.
  • Two (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 this position fluency in English is required ; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four area.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.

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.

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 applicant eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact them.

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 an applicant does not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, the 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.

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.


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