Deputy Regional Director, P5 at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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 Africa Office helps to implement UNEP's Regional programs in Africa by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental, challenges, opportunities and emergencies. This position is located in the UNEP/Africa Office at the Nairobi Duty Station.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director, Africa Office, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the formulation and implementation of a coherent, relevant and effective regional strategic programme for Africa based on UNEP Programme of Work.
• Monitor the quality of the clay-to-clay programming, operations and management performance of the Africa Office and ensure timely delivery of results, reporting to donors and compliance with corporate management policies and guidelines with regard to planning and programming.
• Support the United Nations Delivering as One, particularly through substantive participation in the Regional Directors Teams meeting and the Regional Coordination Mechanism.
• Promote the building of strategic partnerships with relevant Government Agencies, Regional bodies such as African Union Commission (AUC) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Secretariat, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Civil Society Organizations and all relevant regional, sub regional and national stakeholders.
• Mobilize resources to support the implementation of UNEP's Programme of Work.
• Undertake regional and national environment intelligence gathering.
• Enhance UNEP's visibility and raise public awareness of environmental issues in the region.
• Support the generation of knowledge and learning on African environment and development issues.
• Act as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Regional Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned as directed by the Regional Representative and Director.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated competence in programme formulation, coordination and management, policy making, planning and monitoring; conscientious and efficient in observing deadlines, achieving results; takes accountability for goals and challenges; ability to identify and resolve key issues in a complex situation. 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.
• 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 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.
• 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 improvements; 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.
• JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in natural or environmental science, economic/ political science, or a relevant scientific discipline 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development or environmental science, of which five (5) years should be at the international level are required.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in regional programme/projects coordination and resources mobilization is required
• Work Experience in African countries preferably in the area of strategic policy setting and diplomatic negotiations is desirable

Closing: 26 June 2022