Environment Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Environment Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Environment Officer will work closely with colleagues responsible for protection, site planning, water and sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, health, community services and livelihoods. The incumbent will support the UNHCR Office on all issues related to environment and energy, including mainstreaming into all sectors and aspects of the country operation. S/he will lead in coordination of environment and energy sector, ensuring all UNHCR policies are in line with global and national strategies.

Regular and frequent discussions between the incumbent and his/her supervisor(s), including at headquarters, are necessary to ensure that the latest best practices and procedures are shared and applied consistently on issues related to environment. The incumbent will undertake missions to the camps and liaise with field offices on the implementation of environment, and energy programmes. In addition, the staff member will maintain regular contact with UN technical agencies, development partners, line ministries and agencies, implementing and operational partners as needed.

Refugee operations inherently degrade environments because of changes in land use and increased use of natural resources.  It is imperative to ensure environmental mitigation measures are in place to ensure sustainable natural resource use for wellbeing refugees and host communities.

Proactive coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including refugees and host communities, is required to synergise resources.  Interventions are evidence-based to ensure their appropriateness.  Environment and social screening in addition to environmental impact assessments will be required to evaluate the operation.

The incumbent should be capable of working with minimum supervision in project submissions, revisions and reallocations throughout the project lifecycle in the environment and energy programme. S/he will be instrumental in contributing to the development of specific inputs related to the sector and must meet reporting requirements.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- In collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, support the office in undertaking regular assessments on environmental conditions in refugee-hosting areas and measure the extent those conditions are affected by the presence of refugee camps; collect and update data on main areas of environment, energy, livelihood and shelters and identify means to mitigate the impact on natural resources.
- Undertake an assessment of the current domestic energy situation in the refugee camps together with the concerned persons.
- Provide project management support to the Environmental Audits. 
- Provide technical support to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) team and help facilitate discussion with UNHCR colleagues and partners on operational entry points for energy and environmental interventions and, where possible, seeking synergies with the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
- Provide technical support to the GCF and help facilitate discussion with UNHCR colleagues and partners on baseline surveys and the development of concept notes for energy and environmental interventions and, where possible, seeking synergies with the CRRF.
- Provide technical input to, and liaise with, the UN Joint Programme with regards to the protection of the environment and combatting deforestation.
- On the basis of the assessment, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, identify effective interventions in the sector of energy both from the demand and supply sides.
- Assist in the management of UNHCR's assistance programmes in the form of project submissions, revision and reallocations in the environment sector throughout the project lifecycle, needs assessment, budgeting, monitoring, implementation and evaluation.
- Assist the UNHCR Office in organizing training activities of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address key areas of environmental management, climate change and domestic energy issues to refugees and other persons of concern.
- Ensure regular updates and share of information within UNHCR as well as relevant government, UN, NGO counterparts and donor community.
- Document best practices/lessons for dissemination and implementation in the areas of natural resource management, forestry, sustainable agriculture, domestic energy and environmental education sectors.
- Provide technical support in developing project proposals and implementation arrangements to address environmental rehabilitation needs within the framework of UNHCR policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Provide technical input on reports related to environmental issues.
- Coordinate and monitor, as well as support partners in the environment sub-sector.
- Liaise with the government, donors and other organizations with common goals.
- Coordinate matters related to environment amongst different sectors within UNHCR, the local authorities, and implementing partners.
- Represent UNHCR in relevant national meetings and technical conferences in the area of environment.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Environmental Studies;
Management of Natural Resources;
Agriculture;
Forestry;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Minimum 6 years of experience in environmental assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation of integrated environmental programmes/projects in displacement and stable situations. Awareness of and practical experience with refugee-related environmental problems. Familiarity with emerging environmentally sustainable and appropriate technologies, and renewable energy. Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches.
Desirable:
Budgeting, planning and managerial skills, ability to work with various (relevant) computer software. Proven coordination experience with multi-sectorial stakeholders and interlocutors. Broad understanding of climate change narrative and initiatives geared towards mitigation of impacts.

Functional Skills
MS-Analysis;
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation;
MS-Producing Reports;
IT-Computer Literacy;
CM-Cross-Cultural Communication;
MG-Negotiation;
MG-Project Management;
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this addendum 3 to the  September 2019 Compendium is Monday 30 December  2019 (midnight Geneva time)