Job Opportunities at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

• Identify trends, patterns and early warning of issues related to the GEF portfolio size, shape and relevance. Guide staff in ensuring coherence of both UNEP and GEF compliance of their projects. Coordinate with GEF Secretariat and focal area Portfolio Managers in pipeline management.
• Assist divisions to enhance the quality of projects developed. Participate in the UNEP Project Review Committees for all GEF projects and ensure all project review criteria have been followed. Improve the project cycle in UNEP. Work with UNEP's Policy and Programme Division (PPD) to harmonize the GEF and UNEP project cycles.
• Oversee the implementation of the UNEP GEF Fee Model in a way that ensures adequate reserves to cover UNEP’s costs across the full GEF project cycle. Work with Portfolio Managers on annual targets and budgets and authorize annual budgets accordingly. Report to Division Directors periodically on the financial positions of the GEF focal area units.
• Monitor GEF projects in UNEP, including coordinating responses to the GEF Secretariat, GEF Evaluation clients, portfolio management indicators which GEF Secretariat reports to Council etc. Coordinate the preparation of periodic progress reports to GEF Secretariat and to UNEP colleagues. Respond to requests for information from UNEP divisions and offices. Liaise with the UNEP Evaluation Office on all matters related to independent evaluations of GEF projects. Coordinate UNEP input to GEF corporate evaluations and contribute to the preparation of the Management Action Record, as appropriate.
• Assist the Director in enhancing the monitoring, reporting and risk management of GEF projects. Work with UNEP Evaluation Office and PPD to improve monitoring and evaluation of GEF projects.
• Take the lead in ensuring corporate knowledge management and contribute to communications and outreach on the GEF portfolio. Ensure effective internal and external communication through website maintenance; Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within UNEP and with the GEF Secretariat; Identify media and other outreach opportunities, contribute to the portfolio and project information and written materials.
• Brief new staff on UNEP and GEF policies, strategies and procedures. Develop a yearly budget for the GEF Unit. Provide on-going feedback on performance and guidance on work plan implementation to Unit staff and mentor the staff for career development and capacity development, Conduct performance evaluations for Unit staff. 8. Represent UNEP to the GEF Secretariat on matters of policy, programming and operations. Participate in GEF Agency Retreats and GEF Council Meetings, reporting outcomes to UNEP colleagues. Participate in key UNEP processes and events, flagging them as and when appropriate to GEF Secretariat.
• Lead UNEP in adapting to and positioning within the evolving GEF policy and programming context.
• Perform other corporate tasks; Council document review and preparation of comments and briefings for management; Provide input to UNEP and GEF policy and information documents; Assist in providing training to UNEP staff on GEF matters.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:

• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of international development and policies relating to the environment, in areas such as biodiversity, climate change, chemicals and waste, sustainable development and global environmental challenges.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to environmental management.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing and managing projects including the allocation and management of resources. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction.
• Ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of portfolios/projects.
• The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues.
• 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.

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.

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.

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 improvement, 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, PhD degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, natural resources, social sciences, economics or environmental management is required.
• A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in design and implementation of environmental projects and programmes is required.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, and risk assessment in an institutional context is required.
• Proven experience in budget and financial management of project portfolios is required. Prior experience in GEF policy and/or programming is desirable.
• Experience in a corporate role, developing policies, guidelines and providing oversight is desired Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
• Experience in integrating gender approaches in programme and/or policy formulation and implementation is desirable.

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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 UNEP Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
• To fulfil its mandate, the work of the Law Division focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive developmental of environmental law; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among MEAs and between UNEP and those agreements; working with MEA Secretariats to support Parties to the respective MEAs in implementing their treaty obligations; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance.
• Under the supervision of the Head, Environmental Policy Unit and Procedures Unit and Chief of the Environmental Conventions and Policy Branch, the consultant will: Output 1: Develop knowledge products for policy makers which supports and guides global policy process on sustainable trade and biodiversity and related communication material. This will be delivered through
• Two (2) policy briefs; A note on trade and biodiversity policies supporting BioTrade, the SDGs and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) developed to share the programme findings, policy recommendations and support global policy processes on sustainable trade and biodiversity, including the GBF.
• Content for 4 infographics and 4 videos and facilitate their production. Output 2: With UNEP and UN Trade and Development organize at least two trainings using the online BioTrade self-assessment tool by project beneficiaries.
• This work will be undertaken in collaboration with UN Trade and Development team, and the activities include development of background material, identification of participants, preparing announcement(s), supporting organization of the training(s) and prepare a brief report on outcomes. 
• Prepare a note related to UN Trade and Development’s future work of trade and biodiversity and potential collaboration opportunities.

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Task description

• Under the direction of and reporting to the Textiles Lead Programme Officer, within the Consumption and Production Unit of the Resources and Markets branch of the Industry and Economy Division, the Sustainable Textiles Specialist will undertake the following activities:
• Support implementation of the One UNEP Textile Initiative, including representing the One UNEP Textile Initiative in calls/meetings with UNEP colleagues working or planning to work on textiles, as well as with external organisations, including within the UN, with the textile industry, industry associations, and other organisations.
• Apply UNEP’s eco-innovation methodology in textiles, both with industry (especially SMEs) and governments in developing countries (including for instance Kenya, India, Viet Nam), including providing training modules on the eco-innovation methodology to implementing partners, SMEs, or policymakers, reviewing eco-innovation reports such as policy analyses and SME assessments.
• Identify opportunities for potential collaboration and represent the One UNEP Textile Initiative in in-person meetings with UNEP colleagues based in Nairobi
• Support UNEP’s work across areas including chemicals in textiles, fashion marketing, and textile standards.
• In undertaking these duties, the Sustainable Textiles Specialist will establish and maintain relationships to support collaboration with other UNEP teams working on textiles, as well as technical staff across UNEP and in UN as well as representatives in national governments, international organizations, consultants, and NGOs.
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

• The Sustainable Textiles Specialist will be expected to contribute to One UNEP Textile Initiative indicators, including increasing the number of textile companies and industry standards and initiatives shifting practices and/or norms towards sustainability.
• The Specialist will help stakeholders understand and apply the eco-innovation methodology to their context (e.g., the needs of an SME versus the needs of a national-level policymaker) to enable the implementation of circular business models and the adoption of circular products.
• They will, through their understanding of the textile value chain developed through the application of the eco-innovation methodology, have developed an in-depth understanding of the textile sector, and be able to build and leverage networks in the sector, identifying areas of synergy for potential partnership and collaboration.
• Eligibility criteria; Age,18 - 80
• Nationality; Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

• Required experience
• 3 years of experience in relevant fields of which at least two years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability in textiles.
• Knowledge of chemicals in textile products, fashion communication and marketing, textile standards, or other sectoral work is highly desirable.
• Experience with project management, or concurrent priority management is desirable.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate they are organized, reliable, and efficient. An understanding of how to work effectively as part of a team, and a willingness to learn and grow professionally by taking on new competencies and remaining abreast of developments in the statistical analytics field is essential. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of various actors is also required. As well, UNEP highly values creativity and innovative thinking, coupled with a problem-solving mindset.

Required education level

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in International/Public Affairs, Business Studies, Engineering, Fashion Design, Sustainability. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.