Environmental Affairs Officer, Nairobi

Environmental Affairs Officer, Nairobi
Job Title
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P4
Department/ Office
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
Duty Station
NAIROBI

Posting Period

19 August 2010-18 September 2010

Job Opening number
10-ADM-UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME-15974-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, Ecosystem Services Economics (ESE) Unit at the Nairobi duty station. DEPI's ESE Unit hosts and manages the Global Secretariat for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) follow-up, in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of ESE Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Oversee the implementation of the Global MA Follow-up Strategy at the Global Secretariat, in close consultation with UNDP: a.Provide support to the Co-Chairs of the Executive Committee; b. Prepare progress reports on the activities of the various thematic working groups; c. Plan annual meetings for the MA Follow-up Advisory Group and monthly teleconferences for the Executive Committee; d. Liaise with the secretariats of the various thematic working groups and ensure that progress on activities is moving forward; e. Provide contents to be uploaded on the MA follow-up website, based on activities and outputs produced under different components of the Global MA Follow-up Strategy; f. Develop a business plan for the implementation of the Global MA Follow-up Strategy; g. Spearhead the resource mobilization for the implementation of the business plan; h. Monitor, backstop and assess the implementation of the Global MA Follow-up strategy related to technical cooperation programmes and projects, including project budgeting. 2. Provide substantive inputs to programme activities relating to the implementation of the Global MA Follow-up Strategy:
a. Provide technical inputs into programme activities relating to the integration of ecosystem services within national budgetary and development planning processes; b. Participate in activities of technical cooperation programmes and projects including field missions;

c. Provide inputs, on the basis of the Global MA Follow-up Strategy, to analytical studies and reports; d. Organize and attend expert group meetings and seminars on ecosystem services and economics of ecosystem services, including training workshops for government officials, and other appropriate stakeholders; e. Prepare documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects, including training modules; f. Prepare briefing notes, speeches and presentations on issues relating to ecosystem services issues; g. Provide support to intergovernmental processes by preparing inputs to reports of intergovernmental bodies such as UNEP's Governing Council and the UN General Assembly on issues relating to ecosystem services; h. Develop policy recommendations and formulate proposals for presentations to intergovernmental bodies on ecosystem services. 3. Provide general support to meeting requirements for the delivery of DEPI's Programme of Work pertaining to the global MA follow-up initiative, through the following activities: a. Provide support to the Chief of the Unit in reporting on the progress and outputs through the UN Integrated Monitoring and Documentation Information System (IMDIS); b. Assist in coordinating activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, etc.); and prepare related documents and reports; c. Prepare appropriate technical and progress reports on the activities of the Unit and/or the Division relating to the global MA follow-up initiative for use by UNEP management as necessary; d. Undertake other activities and duties as assigned by the Chief of the Unit and the Division Director, relating to the global MA follow-up initiative.

Competencies

Professionalism - Sound analytical skills, including good understanding of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, ability to apply ecosystem services theory and concepts to environmental and development policy, ability to understand and assess the policy implications of particular proposals in ecological economics, solid publication record. Communication - Strong drafting ability, particularly in preparing reports that are clear, logical, concise and intelligible; good interpersonal skills; good communication skills and good presentation skills. Planning and Organizing - Good planning and organization of own work.

Teamwork - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues with different national and cultural backgrounds and respect for diversity.

Client Orientation - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials from developing countries, donors and other external collaborators.

Education

An advanced university degree, preferably a Ph.D. in ecological economics, systems ecology or political science. A first university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in the programme areas associated with this post, including some at the international level. Project management skills and proposal development experience is required. Experience in working with developing country and/or industrial country governments is highly desirable. Publications in internationally peer reviewed journals would be an advantage. Involvement in the MA is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the official languages of the UN Secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is 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.

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.