Job: Programme Officer

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Monday, 28 October 2013 

Description

Organisation:

UNEP Chemicals Branch

Find full details on the UN Career Portal here.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems 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. The overall objective of the UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The position is located within the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE), Chemicals Branch at the Geneva Duty Station. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Chemicals Branch and direct supervision of the Deputy Director and Head of the Metals Team, within delegated authority the incumbent will undertake the following functions:

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of strategies relating to the technical advisory work of the metals programme, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, consideration of innovative approaches and promoting cooperation between relevant organisations etc.
• Supports the work of the mercury programme with a focus on the coordination, continuous development, implementation and evaluation of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership; contributes to programme/project development and monitors implementation reviewing relevant documents and reports and identifies problems and issues to be addressed; proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifying and tracking follow-up actions.
• Organizes and provides substantive backstopping to meetings of the Partneship Advisory Group and other meetings, conferences etc. organized by the unit, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations
• Review and prioritise project proposals for consistency with the objectives of the programme and partnership, and identify suitable funding sources for such proposals
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities, with particular emphasis on conveying the priorities established within the programme in a clear and objective manner.
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised.;-Affinity with the United Nations and its policies, procedures and operations;

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, synthesize and generate quality products;

• General understanding of environmental issues;

• Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues;

• Ability to review and edit the work of others;

• Ability to advice on problems with proven capacity to lead to fact-based and practical recommendations and creative solutions.

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

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

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients ' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental issues, physical sciences (in particular chemistry or biological sciences) or related field.
• 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

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant and progressive experience in project management or programme coordination or chemicals management.

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 official UN languages is desirable.

Assessment Method

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

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.1). All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.2). If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira 'Need Help?' link.

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, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

Official vacancy web page: https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=30579&

More Info and Application