Programme Officer, Nairobi

Programme Officer, Nairobi
About UNEP: The Organization
Mission:
To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Closing Date: Saturday, 14 August 2010
      
    Job Title:
    PROGRAMME OFFICER, P4
    Department/ Office:UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
    Duty Station:     NAIROBI
    Posting Period:    15 June 2010-14 August 2010
    Job Opening number:10-ADM-UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME-15685-R-NAIROBI (O)
  
    United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
          
    Organizational Setting and Reporting
      
    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 for action. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) 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/DEPI at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecosystems, the incumbent will manage the Secretariat of the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP), a World Summit on Sustainable Development type II partnership including UNEP and UNESCO, range states and other governments, the biodiverstiy related multilateral environment agreements (MEAs), NGOs and the private sector.
  
    Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for formulating, and implementing the GRASP work programme approved by the GRASP Executive Committee, and within delegated authority s/he will manage the human and financial resources of the Unit and preparing reports to the GRASP partnership and to the Division for UN reporting requirements in IMDIS and will perform the following duties: 1. Coordination and development of the GRASP Partnership: Coordinate activities to facilitate the smooth functioning of the partnership, including its Council, Executive Committee and Scientific Commission including liasing with partner organisations such as UNESCO, the biodiversity related MEAs, range and donor states, NGOs, the private sector, scientists and GRASP patrons. 2. Undertake fundraising activities to ensure that the secretariat has sufficient funds and capacity to implement its work-programme and develop innovative concepts and tools designed to improve implementation of GRASP's goals and objectives. 3. Lead, organize and/or participate in substantive discussions, meetings and conferences and represent the partnership at international, regional or national meetings, and provide programmatic and substantive expertise on great apes and tropical forest conservation issues including intergovernmental meetings. 4. Management of the GRASP Secretariat: Recommend the allocation of financial resources, justifying administrative and/or results-based budget proposals and work plans; monitor and report on budgetary performance. 5. Manage staff performance and ensure ongoing professional development, continued learning and the right mix of skills and competencies; initiate and recommend personnel actions. 6. Integration of GRASP Objectives into the work of UNEP: 7. Provide policy and programme advice to UNEP senior management to align secretariat activities with UNEP's overall mandate and strategic objectives and advise the branch and the division on substantive scientific and technical matters relating to tropical forest and great ape conservation within the framework of key issues such as tropical forest conservation, Reducing Emissions from forests Deforestation and Degradation, payment for ecosystem services, climate change and conflict and environment issues.
  
    Competencies
     Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competency in the field of forest issues, coupled with hands on experience in policy making and policy development processes at national regional and global levels with ability to make strategic direction recommendations to foster cooperation with partners for delivery of the Great Apes Programme (GRASP)as a biodiversity issue within the ecosystem management programme. Familiarity or exposure to implement national projects and mainstream UNEP programme objectives into national planning processes. Ability to manage the human and financial resources of the Unit. Planning and Organizing: Demonstrated planning and organizational skills to handle multiple environmental issues related to biodiversity and to work well under strict deadlines as required. Communication: High quality communication skills in English, both written and oral are essential. Ability to convey messages/ideas in a clear, concise style, both orally and in writing to various audiences. Ability to develop networks at all levels, desirable. Creativity: Innovative thinking, to develop tools and action plans to assist governments in the formulation of environmental policies for sustainable environmental management practices.
  
    Core Values
        Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Others
  
    Education
        Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in natural resources management with particular emphasis on forestry, biodiversity, land and related issues. A first university degree in combination with work in natural resources management in the above disciplines may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
  
    Work Experience
        A minimum of 7 years experience in the area of environmental project/programme development and management in forestry or climate change or biodiversity and natural resources of which at least 3 years should be at the international level.
  
    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 other United Nations languages an asset.
  
    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.
  
    Special Notice
      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.
  
    No Fee
      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.

Apply now..