Environmental Affairs Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General in the Department of Operational Support. The Environmental Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Environment Section (Senior Environmental Affairs Officer).

The mission of the United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) is to help Secretariat entities, including peace operations, departments and offices, succeed by providing rapid, effective, efficient and responsible support services. Its core services include supply chain management, operational human resources management, health-care management, support for uniformed capabilities, support to entities in special situations, information and communications technology (ICT) support, and UNHQ facility management.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Environmental Affairs Officer [DOS/OUSG/ENVS], the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring actions on environmental issues in field missions, chiefly supporting the missions in their participation in the global Environmental Management System [EMS] and coordinates with partners. Overall, the incumbent would help ensure field missions implement environmental practices to meet Environmental Policy and Strategy objectives and protect the health and safety of mission and local personnel and the reputation of the United Nations from the possible negative consequences of poor environmental management. The duties listed below are part and parcel of the EMS and coordinated tasks.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Policy and Guidance
•Participate in the drafting and/or review of various environmental guidance documents;
•Review environmental assessments and surveys of operations in the missions;
•Review missions' Environmental Action Plan (EAP);
•Assist in the review of all relevant UNHQ Policies, and providing inputs to mainstream environment in all guidance documents;
•Prepare various written outputs, e.g. input to communication materials, briefing notes and talking points for senior management.

Environmental Action Plan - Implementation
•Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the missions' EAP, including data collection and reporting;
•Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon at the missions,
•Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, health hazards and other environment-related incidents;
•Submit periodic reports on environmental issues of the missions, to the Senior Environmental Affairs Officer including policy compliance status reports as required for the DPKO/DFS Environmental Policy;
•Recommend to the Senior Environmental Affairs Officer and management to undertake such measures as may be required to prevent or mitigate environmental problems;
•Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the Department and/or the missions;

Awareness and Training
•Undertake outreach activities and promote awareness on environmental issues;
•Liaise with DPO/DOS DPET Integrated Training Services to develop a strategy of environmental briefing to all mission personnel including police and military contingents during their induction training;
•Facilitate the network of Missions Environment Affairs Officers and Environmental Focal Points by sharing best practices and lessons learned from missions and/or organizations, and by managing the online Peace Ops Environment Community website;

Coordination and Partner Relations
•Provide support in liaising on environmental issues with Permanent Missions and member states and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies;
•Support the coordination and management of the DPO/DOS-UNEP partnership under the Rapid Environment and Climate Technical Assistance Facility (REACT);
•Participate in or lead field visits, including provision of guidance to external consultants and other parties and drafting mission summaries;
•Prepare DOS responses and inputs (and representing DOS as necessary) for interagency working groups on environmental/sustainability management established under the Environment Management Group (EMG) or the UN Secretariat Steering Group on Environmental Sustainability Management, and
•Perform any other tasks required to support the DPO/DOS Environmental Policy for UN Field Missions and the environmental objectives.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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.

Education

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

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the environmental management field with a national government/administration, a large firm or international organization is required.
Experience in coordinating environmental management in an international organization is desirable.
Experience in supporting change management in a large organization and/or complex, strategic setting is desirable.
Experience in project planning, evaluation or oversight of environmental compliance is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

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.

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.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.