UNEP Project Management Officer (Pollution and Health Unit / Science-Policy Panel Secretariat).

Result of Service

The consultant will provide technical project support to the PHU with the aim of ensuring the efficient and effective management, coordination and monitoring of the project “supporting the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment and its chemicals and waste working group, and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020”, and broader pollution and health programmatic efforts.

The consultant will also provide technical support to the SPP Secretariat with the aim to ensure the efficient and effective preparation and execution of the OEWG process and the smooth operation of the secretariat.

Work Location

Working Remotely / Home Based

Expected duration

12 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The Chemicals and Health Branch aims to minimize the adverse effects of chemicals on human health and the environment. It works closely with governments, industry, and civil society organizations around the world to develop and mainstream solutions for the sound management of chemicals and waste and is host to both the Science-Policy Panel Secretariat and the Pollution and Health Unit.

The Pollution and Health Unit, based in UNEP HQ in Nairobi, promotes the environment and health nexus, and coordinates work under the pollution pillar of the UNEP Medium-term strategy 2022-2025 on Pollution and Health. It is responsible for the implementation of various projects, including on “Environment, health and pollution”.

Recognizing the need for a strengthened science-policy interface for chemicals, waste and pollution prevention, UNEA Resolution 5/8 was passed at UNEA 5.2 in February 2022. The resolution calls upon the UNEP Executive Director to constitute an ad-hoc Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) in 2022 in order to develop proposals for the establishment of a Science-Policy panel on chemicals, waste and the prevention of pollution. In response to the resolution the UNEP Executive Director has established a Secretariat to the OEWG, hosted by the UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch and based at UNEP HQ in Nairobi.

The Pollution and Health Unit (PHU) and the SPP Secretariat need support from a qualified programme management officer to help coordinate and implement their programmatic activities. In particular, the PHU needs support in the efficient and effective management, coordination and monitoring of projects on environment and health and chemicals and waste, and the SPP Secretariat needs support in the overall coordination and the undertaking of the preparatory work for and the conduct of the meetings of the ad hoc Open Ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. The Project Management Officer will work closely with the Head of the Pollution & Health Unit and the Principal Officer, Science-policy Panel Secretariat, and be responsible for supporting effective portfolio planning, administration and management, project coordination, knowledge management, drafting, research, and providing technical support. Much of this work will be desk-based, with the possibility of international travel for meetings.
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Support efficient and effective management, coordination, monitoring and implementation of the Pollution and Health programme and associated projects:

a. Support the completion of the Pollution Summary Report and its publishing and dissemination
b. Support the development and updating of detailed project implementation plans and budgets, and initiate budget and project revisions and project closure when needed, with inputs from project staff and implementing partners, and support project inception and steering committee meetings
c. Prepare TORs and liaise with HR focal point for the recruitment and onboarding of consultants and project partners
d. Support the substantive organization of webinars and in person meetings
e. Support regular coordination meetings with project implementers from relevant units and regional offices, and with external implementing partners, as well as broader pollution and health programmatic coordination
f. Liaise with outreach and communication colleagues and support the preparation of presentations and briefing notes to inform project implementation, as required
g. Maintain accurate data and information to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of projects, and to institutionalize and disseminate knowledge.
h. Monitor progress in project implementation, from a substantive and financial perspective, in consultation with the substantive project team and the financial management officer’s team
i. Generate narrative reports, in line with donor, programme, and other requirements, and provide inputs to the project finance teams for the development of financial reports

2. Support the Science-Policy Panel Secretariat:
a. Establish and maintain a virtual project management/monitoring tool
b. Contribute to weekly updates of project management and implementation via project management/monitoring tool
c. Assist with the development and submission of project proposals for donor funding
d. Contribute to the development of working/information documents and options papers to support the OWEG process
e. Support the preparation and submission of a GEF project document
f. Conduct research of Flagship UNEP reports
g. Provide technical support to facilitate online and in-person OWEG meetings

3. Any other related duties as assigned.

It is expected that all outputs will be prepared to a high technical standard and delivered by electronic submission to the supervisor. Key performance indicators will include: timeliness of submission, technical soundness and demonstrated inclusiveness of the consultation process(es) undertaken to prepare the document(s).

During the first week of the assignment the consultant will prepare and submit for approval a detailed work plan listing the deliverables to be produced each month for the remainder of the assignment. This will be approved by the two-line managers and the consultant will then provide monthly reports detailing the status of delivery compared to the detailed work plan. Based on the assessment of progress each month the consultant will be paid in accordance with the schedule above.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

Task A: Support efficient and effective management, coordination and monitoring of the project “supporting the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment and its chemicals and waste working group, and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020” and related Pollution and Health programmatic efforts

Deliverables due by 31 March 2023:

1. Project implementation and budget monitoring tool developed and maintained up to date
2. Detailed project implementation plans, and budgets developed
3. Three coordination meetings with internal and external implementing partners
4. Quarterly progress report developed for internal use

Deliverables due by 30 June 2023:

5. 6-month narrative progress report developed (for internal, donor and member states audience)
6. Project implementation plan is updated in line with project progress and to mitigate project risks
7. Three coordination meetings with internal and external implementing partners

TASK B: Support the Science-Policy Panel Secretariat
1. Development and finalization of information documents, and written inputs to 2 working documents for the OEWG 1.2 meeting.
2. Technical support to the OWEG 1.2 meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.
3. Project implementation and budget monitoring tool developed and maintained up to date.
4. Two project proposals developed for donor funding to the SPP.
5. Technical inputs provided to 4 information documents and 2 working documents for OWEG 2, informed by research of flagship UNEP reports and other reports.
6. Summary report to the Principal Officer of the SPP Secretariat, including overview of the implementation of relevant GEF and corporate projects.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, environmental science, or a related field is required. A professional certification in project management and/or monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management in the fields of chemicals and waste management or pollution prevention is required. Strong analytical and technical writing skills as well as experience in supporting inter-governmental meetings on environmental matters are also required. Prior experience working in an international organization setting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

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.