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ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Geneva

  • Organization: UNECE - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
  • Closing Date: 2025-03-04

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Transboundary Cooperation Section of the Environment Division in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The broad aim of UNECE's environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the P5, Senior Environmental Affairs Officer (Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section), Environment Division and with guidance from the P4, Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), the incumbent will be responsible for and managing the extrabudgetary projects implemented under the Water Convention’s programme area on “Promoting an integrated and intersectoral approach to water resources management at all levels” in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asian countries . The main objective of the work is to improve the management of water resources, in particular of transboundary waters in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, by strengthening water governance at the national and transboundary levels through National Policy Dialogue (NPD) and Regional Policy Dialogue processes, and by supporting the application of the water-food-energy-ecosystem nexus approach, including the operationalization of nexus solutions and investments and the development of regional/basin level strategies, to foster transboundary cooperation. The incumbent will manage extrabudgetary projects, provide strategic and technical expertise and be responsible for the relationships with donors and with partners, including fund-raising, reporting, etc. • Manage the National and Regional Policy Dialogue process with a focus on intersectoral and transboundary cooperation. - Manage the National Policy Dialogues (NPDs) and Regional Policy Dialogues by, facilitating the work of national Steering Committees and regional steering bodies with the direct participation of high-level decision makers. - Direct the achievement of the dialogues’ strategic objectives and guide the development and implementation of the national and regional workplans, in cooperation with the national and regional steering bodies and their chairs. - Review, produce and deliver substantive and strategic presentations/reports. - Liaise and ensure coordination with activities under the projects implemented by other actors, in particular the activities led by OECD, relevant activities of partners in the region and other activities under the Water Convention and its Protocol on Water and Health. - Assist national authorities in building consensus and articulating common positions, by providing technical and policy advice on a broad range of issues related to water governance, intersectoral and transboundary cooperation, effective resources planning, and climate adaptation and mitigation. - Supervise and guide the work of government-appointed rapporteurs, consultants, interns, and other resource persons in the drafting of legislation, strategies, assessments, research studies and background papers. - Contribute strategically and substantively to the policy packages, regional and basin strategies and other activities developed in the framework of the projects. - Participate and represent UNECE in project meetings and in other related meetings. • Manage and develop the projects. - Oversee the administrative and financial aspects of the projects and arrange for the appropriate use of funds in compliance with the donor agreements. - Oversee consultancy contracts, grant agreements, and other needed contracts to carry out activities. - Establish, monitor, and ensure compliance with the project deliverable deadlines for specific tasks established in the annual work programme/donor agreements, including preparation of the budgets and other working documents. - Identify and develop partnerships with donors, private sector, and other actors in the field. - Produce project reports to the donors in accordance with the project documents. - Draft project proposals to donors, develop budgets and fundraise for activities. - Supervise staff responsible for the implementation of the projects. • General - Perform other related duties as required and assist the rest of the Convention’s secretariat to implement the programme of work under the Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health. - Represent the UNECE secretariat at international meetings and be willing to travel as required. - Provide input to UNECE senior management as requested and required. - Prepare and/or review publications, press releases public relations bulletins, and other communication material to promote the project’s visibility. - Publish information on the Convention’s website and keep the relevant webpages updated. - Undertake on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

Professionalism: In-depth knowledge and understanding of environmental issues, with a particular knowledge on water-related issues. Ability to manage programmes and projects from design, to implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Proven ability to organize and service intergovernmental bodies and technical meetings. Ability to work with countries with economies in transition in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia in developing and implementing water-related projects. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. Planning and 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. Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental management, law, science, engineering, economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international levels in the areas related to water resources management or environmental management is required. Extensive experience in managing projects at the national or international levels is required. Experience in servicing multi-stakeholder intergovernmental processes and meetings, preferably in connection with global or regional environmental legal instruments is desirable. Experience in resource mobilisation and reporting to donors is desirable. Experience providing policy and technical advice on water or environmental issues to national authorities is desirable. Professional experience in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Russian is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This post is financed by project funds. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval and extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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