Careers at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

Human Resources Management

• Initiates, processes, monitors, reviews and follows-up on actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, relocation, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation, training, ensuring consistency in the application of regulations and procedures.
• Enters, maintains and certifies administrative data and records for time and attendance, performance appraisal in electronic information systems.
• Reviews entitlements-related claims and reports.
• Provides advice and guidance to staff with respect to administrative procedures, processes and practices, liaising with central administrative services as necessary.
• Maintains and reviews organizational staffing tables; prints and reviews UMOJA reports.

Budget and Finance

• Monitors status of expenditures and allotments through UMOJA, records variations, updates budget tables.
• Consolidates data received and provides support to higher-level staff with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Reviews status of relevant expenditures and compares with approved budget.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged and (b) availability of funds.
• Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions.
• Prepares statistical tables and standard financial reports.

General Administration

• Prepares, processes and follows-up on administrative arrangements and forms related to the official travel of staff.
• Drafts routine correspondence.
• Maintains files of rules, regulations, administrative instructions and other related documentation.
• Maintains up-to-date work unit files (both paper and electronic).
• Coordinates extensively with service units and liaises frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field.
• Performs other related administrative duties, as required, e.g., operational travel programme; monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services; physical space planning; identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems; organizing and coordinating administrative arrangements for seminars, conferences and translations.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

Contract Administration

• Assists with day-to-day administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services.
• Audits the contractors' invoices against the goods and services provided by the contractor and approved by the UN.
• Processes the payment of contractors' invoices and monitor payments.
• Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions for contractual and work Unit, Section or Service UN staff, including UN grounds passes, property passes, UN parking permits, swipe-card access and door keys.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management.
• Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations.
• 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.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

TEAMWORK:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING AND ORGANISING:

• 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

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources or related area is required
• The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
• Work experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Oracle or SAP is required.
• Experience in an international organization such as the United Nations is desirable.
• 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area 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.
• NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand), and 'Knowledge of' equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

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Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

• 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.
• UNEP's Regional Office for Africa (ROA) works to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of environmental capacity-building and technical support in Africa, at all levels in response to regional, sub- regional and national needs and priorities. ROA, under the Regional Sub-programme on Environmental Governance, supports implementation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 6 Project on Capacity Development in Reducing Illegal Wildlife Trade and Improving Protected Area Management Effectiveness in South Sudan.
• The purpose of the project is to combat illegal wildlife trade by strengthening Protected Area legislative and management systems through institutional strengthening, improved information management and monitoring, and community empowerment through both national and site level actions.
• The project will be executed in three components:

Component 1:

• Development of International and National legal Frameworks and Coordination Mechanisms for Wildlife.
• Outcomes include consolidating and strengthening relevant policies and laws for wildlife protection and building additional capacity to manage information and enforce laws and regulations.

Component 2:

• Improved Wildlife Conservation Demonstrated through Strengthened Management of Nimule National Park.
• Component will support improved park management and wildlife protection, to ensure sustainable and effective management of Nimule National Park and the buffer zone.

Component 3:

• Wildlife Protection Initiative in the Sudd Ecosystem.
• This component will strengthen protection of the ecosystem services and biodiversity habitat in the Sudd ecosystem, with a focus on enhancing the management effectiveness of existing protected areas, extending the total area included in protected areas, community conservancies and corridors, and developing effective community partnerships to support conservation and livelihoods objectives.
• The position will support the Project Focal Point/Regional Sub-programme on Environmental Governance and is located at its Africa office at the Nairobi duty station.
• Duties and responsibilities The incumbent will work in liaison with the Project Focal Point/Regional sub-programme Coordinator Environmental Governance in carrying out the following duties:
• Provide legal and technical services for the execution of component 1 as stated above through review of legislation, policies and regulations developed in the project.
• Coordinate the development of transboundary wildlife management protocols developed under component 1 through review and technical coordination of developed protocols.
• Provide legal and technical coordination to the capacity development, coordination, and awareness for key national institutions such as the police, judiciary, prosecution, among others, on laws and policies for the effective management of wildlife and protected areas.
• Liaising/coordinating with other sub-programmes in Africa Office and UNEP Divisions and Offices in providing scientific and technical coordination and advice to the project, including expertise in project management, etc.
• Provide technical expertise to the development of an Illegal wildlife Trade Strategy for South Sudan.
• Following up on the management and disbursement of GEF funds in accordance with rules and procedures of UNEP and providing administrative, human resource, procurement, logistical services and travel arrangement support of the Project.
• Coordinate in convening technical and management meetings related to the Project.
• Preparing the annual Project Implementation Review (PIR), including the annual rating of the project, project implementation progress, risk, quality of project monitoring and evaluation for consideration by the Project Focal Point.
• Coordinate the preparation of project revisions requests, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete and in accordance with UNEP and GEF requirements.
• Managing any needed project(s) mid-term reviews and or terminal evaluations in accordance with Global Environment Facility (GEF)/UNEP guidance and in collaboration with the Evaluation office.
• Preparing and overseeing executing partner agreements with Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism (MWCT) and Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF) and liaising with the Project Management Unit (PMU).
• Preparing summary reports of intergovernmental meetings to relating to PAs networks in the African region so as to link the project activities with biodiversity related MEAs and SDGs at the global, national and PA levels.
• Monitoring and assessing the implementation of the project, including delivery of services for quality control.
• Monitoring reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback on the contents of the report and consolidating progress reports, terminal reports and participate in evaluation for projects.
• Any other duties as required, including preparation of background documents, briefing notes, concept notes, outcomes, presentations, proposals.
• The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Focal Point/Regional Sub-Programme Coordinator, Environmental Governance in Africa Office, UNEP.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• An Advanced University Degree in Public International Law, Public Policy, Natural Resources Management, Environment Management, Project Management, Social Sciences or related field is required.
• A first level degree with an additional 2 years of work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced Degree.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project and/or programme management, work in a broad range of sustainable development issues in Africa, working with Governments and civil society in environment and natural resources management is required.
• Experience in development and implementation of environmental laws and governance is required.
• Experience within the UN system or similar international organization is required.
• Practical experience in working with GEF projects is desirable.
• Experience in analytical skills, ability to work with minimum supervision is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

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Duties and Responsibilities

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:

• 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 Policy and Programme Division is responsible for consolidating the policy, programme, monitoring, gender and social safeguards functions of UNEP as well as its engagement with the United Nations system and key global processes such as the 2030 Agenda.
• The Division ensures coherence and coordination at the strategic, policy and programmatic levels.
• This position is located in the Policy and Programme Division at the Nairobi Duty Station and the incumbent will report to the Associate Programme Officer, Strategic Planning Unit.
• The Strategic Planning Unit leads the development of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s strategic plans, and also leads and supports organizational transformation and improvement efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Associate Programme Management Officer, Strategic Planning Unit, the contractor will be engaged to provide:

• Support system transitions in UNEP by implementing the change management strategy through communications and consultations with multiple stakeholders.
• Support knowledge management by developing the user manual for the new system based on discussions and consultations.
• Support capacity building by developing training materials and facilitating training workshops.
• Provide technical support to new system users by addressing questions and queries in a responsive and comprehensive manner.
• Undertake continuous data quality checks of all projects to ensure that all relevant information is verified and issues are addressed by the project manager.
• Support in executing an IPMR communication plan for UNEP, covering basic IPMR functionalities for different users, new system updates, and regular statistics of usage.
• Collaborate with pertinent staff in the Policy and Programme Division and Corporate Services Division on relevant project enrichment following ad-hoc guidance from the New York office, such as tagging, data analytics rollouts, and testing of IPMR.
• Explore possibilities, test, and advise on how to automate processes and improve data analysis and extraction in collaboration with relevant staff from the Policy and Programme Division, Corporate Services Division, and New York DMSPC, utilizing key functionalities of dashboards in Self-Service Analytics and Enterprise Dashboard.
• This includes collaborating with teams on SDGs, Country Dashboards, and Gender.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Supplemental training in business administration, information technology, project management, finance/accounts, or related areas, is desirable.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience in data and project management is required.
• Experience in the UN and in particular with respect to UMOJA and the Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) module is desirable

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
• NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

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Responsibilities

Budget

• Acts as Certifying Officer for the INC Secretariat.  
• Undertakes reviews, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions.      
• Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates.
• Provides support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements and assist in the preparation and submission of budget proposals and allocations for INC Secretariat.  
• Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Provides input into the preparation of allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
• Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.
• Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions as well as periodic and ad-hoc reports including monthly budget dashboard reports to senior management, Programme Performance Reports (PPR) to UNEP Senior Management as well as to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR).
• Assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Monitors integrity of various financial databases.
• Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued. Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.  

Treasury:

• Reviews incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds.
• Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier.
• Dispatches payment instructions and cheques to banks.
• Creates receipts and deposits for all incoming funds.
• Notifies payees of status of payments.
• Assists staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues.
• Identifies and annotates bank account movements.  Monitors bank balances worldwide.
• Assists Cashier in cash management and investment issues, including cash flow forecasts.
• Liaises with banks worldwide regarding outstanding items and payment instructions.
• Investigates complaints on non-receipts.
• Monitors cheque stock and orders new stock as required.
• Reviews inter and intra-unit processes with aim to optimize workflow and customer orientation.
• Monitors/reviews methods used to remit payments.
• Assist in preparation of periodical reports: cash flow, contributions.
• Follows-up on audit recommendations.
• Follows-up on fraud cases.
• Assists cashier in the daily operation of the Cashier’s Unit responsible for the transmittal of payments worldwide.
• Files and archives as required.  

General:

• Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.
• Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.
• Develop and maintain Budget related Business Intelligence (BI) Web Reports to be shared and utilized by all Programme and Fund Management Officers across UNEP.
• Manage approved staffing table for the INC Secretariat.
• Prepare monthly post incumbency reports and update the positions' cost distribution in Umoja (UN SAP based ERP system) Organization Management module to ensure correct coding blocks are charged.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:

• Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations.  
• Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.
• 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.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.  

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments.  
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.  
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

• High school diploma or completion of secondary school is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Supplementary courses/training in finance, audit, administration, project management or a related field is required.    

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in administration, budgetary and financial operations, procedures and practices is required.
• The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two (2) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree.    
• Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, such as Umoja, in finance and budget modules is required.    
• Demonstrated experience working with a Business Intelligence (BI) reporting tool is required.    
• Experience with budget management is desirable.    
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.  
• NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.  
• This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules.
• All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country.
• Applicants for General Service and related categories must be authorized to work in the country where the position is located.
• The candidate is responsible for any travel and relocation expenses incurred to take-up the appointment.
• A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.  
• 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.  
• When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date.
• This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.  
• 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.  
• 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.  
• All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.
• On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
• If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received.
• If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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.  
• Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.  
• By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).  Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.  
• This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.  
• Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

Deadline : Jul 12, 2024