Job: REGIONAL COORDINATOR, P5

Department/ Office

United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station

PANAMA CITY

Posting Period

21 November 2013-20 January 2014

Job Opening number

13-ADM-UNEP-31481-R-PANAMA CITY (X)

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 Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyse and promote international cooperation and action on the environment.

Under the supervision of the Chief, Capacity Development Branch of the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA), and in co-ordination with the Regional Director of UNEP'S Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the planning, direction and implementation of projects of the Division of Early Warning and Assessment in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC);
• formulate regional strategies and projects for the implementation of DEWA activities in LAC in consultation with regional governments and DEWA Headquarters;
• Oversee development of the DEWA Programme in such a way that is responds to UNEP's global mandate as well as regional needs and priorities expressed by countries in LAC directly or through appropriate regional fora;
• develop a network of partnerships with governments (policy guidance0 and expert institutions (technical expertise) for carrying our specific activities related to the implementation of the DEWA programme in LAC.
• Develop regional budget for DEWA and oversee expenditure of funds/sub-allotments, including the development of contracts and Terms of Reference for staff and consultants, formulation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partners;
• develop fundraising strategy in agreement with UNEP Headquarters, establish links with major regional and global donors such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and governments and undertake fund raising to help complement UNEP financing for the implementation of key DEWA activities in the LAC region and according to UNEP Headquarters fundraising policies and instructions.
• Oversee the development of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO) reports in LAC;
• design training materials and oversee capacity building in integrated environmental assessment for regional and national partners, including the organization of workshops and the development of training sessions.
• Guide and oversee development of regional inputs by DEWA technical staff and partners for the UNEP.net global environmental information system, including regional, sub-regional and national datasets (non-and geo-referenced) and images;
• Coordinate the implementations of early warning activities to complement the global early warning programme, including the setting up of an early warning network capable of producing timely assessment on relevant topics such as forest fires, environmental change, etc., and the identification of environmental emerging issues and threats, climate change etc.; coordinate and guide data collection activities and facilitate the development of datasets containing environmental data for LAC and liaise with partners and relevant UN bodies (incl. UN HQ, ECLAC) as needed, in support of DEWA's assessment and early warning activities in the region.

Competencies

Professionalism

• Proven technical and project management expertise in environmental assessments, including strategic and integrated assessments, and indicators of sustainable development, preferably in projects in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
• Relevant work experience in developing countries, especially with institutions from the public sector, as well as a deep understanding of Latin American and Caribbean context.
• Capacity to mobilize resources for new initiatives in the area of expertise in the region;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements and initiative to identify alternatives ahead of project challenges;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• has knowledge of UN processes and operations, both at the global, regional and national levels.

Planning and organizing

• Proven ability to plan, organize and manage projects, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction;
• Ability to coordinate with specific sectoral initiatives of the organization in the region;
• Ability to organize and service inter-governmental bodies and technical meetings.

Teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

Communication

• Effective written, oral and presentation skills, including the ability to draft and edit reports, studies and other documents;
• Ability to effectively facilitate and present at meetings and conduct training sessions;
• Ability to provide advice and guidance.

Leadership:

• Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communication links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals;
• demonstrated innovate technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation;
• tact and negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environment, sustainable development, environmental management, environmental policy, environmental economics or related fields.

Work Experience

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project/ programme implementation, in the area of environmental assessments, environmental data and indicators, preferably in projects of the Latin American and Caribbean region, is required.
• Experience in REDD, and ecosystem-based adaptation projects and initiatives; policy analysis, knowledge of regional environmental issues acquired through extensive work with both governments and expert institutions in Latin America and Caribbean region.
• Familiarity with scenario building approaches, Geographic Information System (GIS) and other appropriate tools. Proven resource mobilisation ability.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For this post, fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

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

Initial appointment against this post is for a period of one 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.

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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. 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.

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