Jobs at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This position supports UNEP's work in relation to One Health. In March 2022 UNEP joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to form the Quadripartite Alliance for One Health. UNEP will specifically aim to strengthen the environmental dimensions of human and animal health and contribute to the joint objectives of the expanded One Health alliance and the Global Action Plan on One Health, which is currently under development. UNEP has also embarked, in partnership with seven other organizations, in a new Nature for Health Fund.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer for One Health, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies,
• Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to One Health, EcoHealth, Planetary Health and other integrated approaches to health, particularly from the environmental angle, but complemented by a good understanding of the animal and public health aspects. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
• 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 degree or equivalent) in environment, ecosystem health, public health or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, on biodiversity, climate change and ecosystems or related area is required.
• At least three (3) years of international work experience is required.
• Experience working on interdisciplinary approaches to environment, including through one health approaches is desirable.
• Experience managing diverse teams is desirable.

Languages

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

Closing date 27 May 2022

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This position is located in UNEP's Corporate Services Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the Chief, Financial Management Service, the Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

Financial Management:

• Providing corporate guidance to UNEP finance staff, issuing policies and monitoring compliance with established procedures.
• Overseeing and managing effective and timely processing of pledges and preparation of invoices for contributions and ensuring compliance to the decisions of the governing bodies of UNEP and UNEP administered Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs) as well as those of individual donors.
• Overseeing and managing timely and accurate recording of contributions. Managing the unidentified deposits in line with established policies and procedures. Preparing financial reports to donors, intergovernmental and legislative bodies.
• Managing the establishment of grants and monitoring the financial life-cycle of projects including the clean-up of closed projects, grants and trust funds. Monitoring cash and loan balances of grants.
• Ensuring that UNEP financial records are accurate and up-to-date and that they are properly reflected in the Annual Financial Statements. This includes regular analysis of cash and receivable balances and review of donor reports.
• Liaising with internal and external auditors by coordinating requests for information, following up on finance related audit recommendations and preparing reports to various UN Bodies.
• Reviewing legal instruments related to donors and Implementing Partners agreements.
• Developing and managing a corporate approach to UNEP’s relationship with Implementing Partners.

 Certifying Officer functions:

• Reviewing and analysing data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals for extra-budgetary funded activities, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from divisions /offices at Headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects.
• Providing support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Reviewing, analysing and providing input into finalization of programme budget/financial implications.
• Providing substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their budget review; assisting in securing approval from the relevant Governing Bodies.

Budget administration:

• Issuing allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
• Monitoring budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary.
• Monitoring expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels.
• Administering and monitoring extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Preparing relevant documentation with respect to budget performance submissions.
• Reviewing and making appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.

General:

• Keeping up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Monitoring and supervising the work of subordinate staff as required.
• Performing other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. 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.
• PLANNING & 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.
• 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or in a related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Finance or accounting qualification, such as Certification in Public Accounting (CPA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budget, business administration or related area, is required.
• Experience in preparing/analyzing financial statements with application of private sector or public sector accounting standards such as International Financial Report Standard (s) (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) is required.
• Working experience with Systems Application and Products (SAP) system or another Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required.
• Experience with data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting, using Microsoft Excel, is required.
• Working experience with managing and monitoring implementing partners of international organisation, inlcuding but not limited to audits or financial spot checks, is desirable.
• Experience with the Grantor Management (Implementing Partner) Module, is desirable.
• Experience of managing external and in-house coordination, at procedural and policy levels, is desirable.
• Experience in an international organization such as the United Nations is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

Closing date 27 May 2022

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Responsibilities

Political and Policy Analysis, Relations and Support:

• Identify, assess, analyze and monitor environmental and relevant political, economic and social development trends in the region to generate knowledge, information and early warning for policy and decision making and incorporate them into UNEP's policy and programme development, and effectively contribute to strengthening the UNEP strategic regional presence in Africa.
• Provide leadership for the effective provision by the Secretariat of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), ensuring that its decisions contribute to the environmental priorities for the region and the delivery of the sustainable development goals.
• Formulate short-term, mid-term and long-term strategic and practical recommendations for UNEP's global regional and sub-regional environmental policy development for the implementation of programmes and projects in the region.
• Represent UNEP and the Executive Director in the region at the international and regional forums and inter-agency meetings, and coordinate UNEP's relations with stakeholders in the region. Initiate, coordinate, organize and advise on UNEP meetings, high-level visits, missions and events in the region, sub-region and
• countries and follow-up on activities.
• Provide substantive policy support to regional, sub-regional trans-boundary political processes in the region.

Programme Coordination, Management and Implementation:

• Identify environmental sustainability challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the development and implementation of UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), Programme of Work (PoW), and projects at regional, sub-regional and national level.
• Lead the integrated delivery of UNEP's PoW and associate programmes, frameworks and projects through matching UNEP's services with regional, sub-regional and national needs and priorities. Draw on technical support from UNEP Divisions, facilitate capacity building and technology support, to ensure the delivery of programme and projects in the region.
• Coordinate UNEP's cooperation with government and inter-government institutions, partners and other stakeholders, regional and sub-regional centers and networks for the implementation of UNEP's PoW commitment under Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEAs) and regionalization of international environmental agreement goals and process in the region.
• Coordinate UNEP's engagement in UN regional coordination structures: the Regional UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) Teams and the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCMs) to ensure that UNEP is fully aligned with the objectives of the UN Reform in the region.
• e) Coordinate UNEP's engagement with the UN system, the regional UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), the UN Resident Coordinators and the UN Country Teams (UNCTs).

Operations:

• Oversee the management and administrative services of UNEP's strategic presence in the region. Liaise with UN Regional and Country Offices to ensure enhanced cost effectiveness of UNEP's implementation at regional and country level.

Partnership:

• Build, coordinate and advise on strategic and programmatic partnership in the region with government authorities, UN organizations, partners, and other stakeholders. Support UNEP's activities and strengthen capacity at the regional, sub-regional and national levels.
• Facilitate and support inter-regional cooperation and partnership in the context of promoting South-South, and triangular cooperation.
• Oversee the coordination and support the involvement of major groups and stakeholders in the region, sub-regions and countries in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of environmental information.

Communication and Outreach:

• Oversee the implementation of UNEP'S external and internal communication strategies in the region and contribution of regional inputs to global level efforts.
• Develop and implement UNEP's regional communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise UNEP's profile.
• Lead UNEP’s advocacy in the region, and support advocacy of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and their objectives in coordination with the global and regional secretariats of the MEAs.

Resource Mobilization:

• Lead and Coordinate UNEP'S fundraising from bilateral and multilateral donors at regional and country level for up-scaling UNEP intervention in the region. b) Provide information and advice for UNEP's corporate resource mobilization and resource allocation efforts and develop and maintain regional resource mobilization strategies.

Perform other related duties as requested by senior management of the Organization.

Competencies

• POFESSIONALISM: Knowledge in inter-governmental and inter-agency negotiations and networking functions. Ability to analyze environmental, political and economic and social developments and provide technical and substantive support in the field of environmental sustainability and policy development. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.
• 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in environmental management, international relations, economics, political science or law or related field 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 fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible working experience in environmental management, sustainable development, policy development or science or economic is required.
• At least five years of international experience in a multi-cultural setting is required.
• At least three years of experience in a supervisory capacity is required.
• Experience in international governance processes is required.
• Experience in resource mobilization and partnerships building, including at the highest level of Government is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Closing date 19 April 2022