EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Parties to the Vienna Convention (VC) for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985) and its Montreal Protocol (MP) on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987), designated UNEP as the Secretariat for these two international agreements in 1989. The Secretariat for the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol (Ozone Secretariat) is a small secretariat but highly effective and efficient, facilitating the implementation of the ozone treaties by the parties. This post is located in UNEP/Ozone Secretariat at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director of UNEP, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Providing accurate and wise thematic advice to the parties to the Montreal Protocol (MP) and Vienna Convention (VC), as well as to the technical bodies of the two agreements and relevant partner organizations and stakeholders in the form of meeting documents, consultations, reports or other media. 2. Conducting high level negotiations and persuasion when necessary to expedite the implementation of the MP, VC and decisions of the parties. 3. Organizing the meetings under the MP and VC including those of the subsidiary bodies and ad hoc workshops, ensuring that strategic direction and associated planning are in place for every meeting, holding necessary consultations with the parties and other stakeholders to prioritize issues and achieve the goals of the treaties. 4. Delivering statements and providing other information in the international meetings related to the environment at the policy level, on issues related to the ozone layer as a whole and the synergies amongst Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), in particular on ozone-climate interface, chemicals-pollution-waste front, life-cycle management of substances and equipment, trade-related issues and on the implementation of relevant policies. 5. Creating and maintaining cordial diplomatic links with high level government officials and staff of other international organisations is needed; as well as establishing and maintaining partnerships with other MEAs and relevant UN/international organizations to explore synergies and collaborative actions in areas of common concerns is needed. 6. Creating and maintaining functional reporting systems for the production and consumption of controlled Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS); analysing data from the 198 Parties, identifying non-compliance and preparing reports and action plans; maintaining and updating the various information reported by the parties and compiling, analysing and reporting on the information as appropriate. 7. Reviewing decisions to form a work programme for the Secretariat; managing the work programme; negotiating, coordinating and agreeing on the necessary actions with other organisations implementing the decisions. 8. In consultation with the Bureaux of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) and of the Conference of the Parties (COP), and the co-chairs of the Open-ended Working Group, agreeing on the substantive agenda of the meetings through coordination with host governments, the Conference Services and other units and partners involved in organising meetings of the Ozone Treaties. 9. Participating in the assessment process as an expert member or ex-officio as appropriate; providing the necessary organizational support and substantive advice to the assessment bodies; ensuring high quality reporting back to the Parties. 10. Developing the management strategy for the Ozone Secretariat; providing leadership to all staff and managing the resources of the Ozone Secretariat. 11. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Professionalism Professionalism: Knowledge of interactions among biodiversity, land degradation, desertification and restoration. Good understanding of the drivers of biodiversity loss. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Empowering others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, natural sciences, environmental management, economics, business/public administration or related disciplines is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Not available.

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional working experience, some of which is at national level with links to the international processes on environment; together with at least five (5) years professional experience at the international level is required Experience in facilitation and moderation of intergovernmental processes is required. Knowledge of the Montreal Protocol and experience in its implementation is required. Experience in the UN system or other international organizations is desirable. Experience in handling a multidisciplinary portfolio of tasks and duties and the ability to lead a team of specialists in interdisciplinary effort is desirable Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

French

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

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

This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA-limited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as affiliated personnel (for example as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme – such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS – which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. 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 "Contact Us" link.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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