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Technical Expert, Sustainability and Climate Change Adaptation

Geneva

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Climate Change
    • Climate
    • Environment
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) was established in 1990 and mandated by name in United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/45/181.The WSSCC Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and aims to accelerate the achievement of sustainable sanitation, hygiene and water services for all people, with special attention to the unserved poor, by enhancing collaboration and coordination of all sector stakeholders. The WSSCC Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. More information on WSSCC can be found on the website at www.wsscc.org.

The Technical Expert, Sustainability & Climate Change Adaptations the Council expert on Sustainability & Climate Change Adaptation adapting and developing new thinking and promoting successful approaches that improve the relevance of country and regional initiatives.   The Technical Expert adapts and develops new thinking into practical applications for ease of utilization by WSSCC membership, National Coordination Mechanism and programme teams.  The Technical Expert contributes to all teams of the WSSCC elevating their collective knowledge and capacity.    

Functional Responsibilities

  • Adapt and refine sector-specific WSSCC technical approaches that advance the Council strategy and has practical utility for National Coordinators and membership.  
  • Provide technical guidance to WSSCC’s country programme teams and in-country engagements, collaborating with and advising National Coordinators and other partners and implementing agencies ensuring WSSCC supported activities are strategically aligned, evidence based and results focused.
  • Support GSF country programme development and implementation in selected countries, with a specific focus on Sustainability & Climate Change Adaptationis and hygiene behavior change that enhances local capacity for sustainable knowledge management.
  • Authors components to reports with guidance from the Head, Technical Unit or other lead experts, for the Global Policy and Innovation team with evidence based results demonstrating impact of sustainability and climate change adaptation in WSSCC’s work.
  • Develop practical partnerships with other organizations/programmes towards further thematic learning, capacity development, networking and knowledge management.
  • Build a peer network of experts across national, regional and international organizations and academia that keeps the sustainability area relevant, showcases the work of the Council and attracts interest in, and collaboration with, WSSCC.
  • Facilitate expert knowledge exchange and policy enhancement through strategic engagement in practitioner workshops, regional conferences and sector events.
  • Support in-country, theme-related learning events in technical area, collecting feedback data on relevance of new initiatives that informs continuous improvements to learning initiatives.  
  • Develop learning products and tools in collaboration with National Coordinators, Membership and prgrammme teams that reflect specific country requirements while promoting global policy.    
  • Design and support theme-related capacity development for WSSCC programme staff. 
  • Collaborates with other Council Technical Experts on coordination, alignment and integration of work, identifying areas for cooperation and learning that synergistically improves the work and contributions of the entire technical team.
  • Perform other related duties as required.


Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 
  • Master's degree in a relevant field such as development studies or environment science or international relations or social science or political science or other relevant areas is required.
  • A bachelor's degree in any of the above relevant areas with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted  in lieu of the master's degree.
Experience

  • with master's degree minimum five years working on development or humanitarian or climate change sectors or related areas within international development is required.   
Language

  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.   

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Functional competencies


  • Proven ability in approaches to capacity building suitable for policy makers, planners and practitioners in public health, climate change and related sectors
  • Demonstrated ability to network and create linkages across diverse groups, including    extensive knowledge of the current evidence and approaches to tackling social determinants of health and equity is preferable.
  • Proven ability to understand and translate complex concepts and evidence into understandable language, including presentations, written documents, and policy relevant to non-specialists is preferable
  • Knowledge and skills in approaches to strengthening national policies for equity and translating those policies into action at the community level preferable.
  • Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities and an analytic approach to information management.
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice  Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Contract type, level and duration



Contract type: Fixed Term Staff Contract
Contract level: ICS10 / P3
Contract duration:One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.


For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen, Denmark, time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT A COVER LETTER.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

This vacancy is now closed.
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