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. UNEP’s Africa Office 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 the United Nations Environment Programme Africa Office at the Nairobi duty station.
Responsibilities
The incumbents will be under the direct supervision of the Chief, Post-Conflict and Disasters Management Branch (PCDMB) and overall supervision of the Regional Director Africa Office. Within delegated authority, the incumbents will be responsible for the following duties:
• Serves as a senior policy officer, advising UNEP, and particularly the UNEP Coordinator for the Disasters and Conflicts Sub-programme, on overall policy direction in the region on specific issues; and, more generally, reviewing and providing advice on a diverse range of policy issues in the region related to humanitarian affairs as they relate to the environment;
• Coordinates the regional input into UNEP’s programming related to the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis initiatives;
• Serves as the primary UNEP focal point in the region on the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis initiatives and related policy issues, drawing on knowledge of the impact of humanitarian activities on the environment; keeps abreast of latest developments; liaises with other humanitarian organizations an donors;
• Monitors, analyses and reports on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management programmes or emergency situations in assigned country/area, identifying where best an environmental dimension is warranted;
• Facilitates a coordinated approach in the region to the environmental dimension within international humanitarian/emergency assistance of complex emergency/disaster situations and in large, complex projects; ensures necessary support (such as staff, funding, specialized equipment or supplies, among others); prepares situation reports to the international community, apprising of situation to date and specifying unmet requirements of stricken countries;
• Assists in the integration of an environmental dimension to the production of appeals within the UN system for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channelled through OCHA in relation to the environmental dimension of such assistance;
• Coordinates in collaboration with the relevant UNEP division(s), UNEP’s work in the region to assist Member States in capacity-building, technical cooperation and technical assistance for handling the environmental dimension of emergency situations and disaster response preparedness; develops region and country specific recommendations based on the analysis of pertinent information;
• Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting on UNEP’s work in the region related to the environmental dimension of crisis risk reduction and post-crisis; Organizes and prepares strategies on the environmental aspects of humanitarian, emergency relief and related issues for the region; organizes follow-up work in the region, including inter-agency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; and ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant reports;
• Establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions or media, among others; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UN system, including on early warning and contingency planning, as it relates to the interface of the; environment and humanitarian activities;
• Organizes and participates in relevant work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters;
• Perform other related duties as required.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of the environmental dimension of a wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyse and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to environment and humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected country/region.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, tailor’s language, tone, style and format to match 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.
• 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 environment or development related field is required. A first university degree with a combination of two additional years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Supplementary training in Disaster Risk Reduction is highly desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development, or post conflict issues in Africa is required. Experience in Disaster management and post-conflict issues in Africa is highly desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• This position is temporarily available for 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
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.
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