Jobs at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

This position is located in the Law Division, National Environmental Law Unit in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer and Head of the National Environmental Law Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides assistance in support of planning and implementation of activities/processes for the National Environmental Law Unit and the Law Branch, including those relating to the Fifth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V).
• Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes and projects and related topics.
• Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation of special service agreements, small-scale funding agreements, project cooperation agreements and project documents; monitors status of programme/project proposals; takes necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval.
• Assists in the preparation and analysis of programme/project budget proposals; provides assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; reviews and coordinates submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; proposes adjustments as necessary; prepares reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized.
• Assists in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data related to programmes/projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions.
• Collaborates with programme/project managers on periodic performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services scheduled in the biennial programme of work and various planning instruments such as the medium-term strategy and internal Law Branch and Unit work plans; drafts programme/project summaries, coordinates review and clearance processes, and coordinates with editors, translation services, on the finalization and publication of reports in multiple languages.
• Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organisational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organisation of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services.
• Prepares, posts, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
• Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.
• 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.
• Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. The 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
• The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required
• Experience In Using Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Is Required.
• Experience working with an international organization is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Closing: 06 December 2022

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Objective

A consultant is being recruited to provide technical development and administration of DaRT website, roll-out to countries and support its outreach plan.

DaRT Roll-out to countries

• Update the DaRT roadmap according to MEAs calendars and interested countries in DaRT and eligible countries and regions.
• Facilitate the organization of training workshops and learning in accordance with the DaRT roadmap to facilitate technical assistance and workshop working sessions towards strengthening the DaRT Tool use and operationalization by national stakeholders (under reserve of the covid situation and the confirmation by the government).
• Organize and implement a regional DaRT workshop for the GCC countries in coordination with the UNEP regional office.

Support DaRT outreach

• Systematize the outreach materials available for outreach activities.
• Identify, organize, and implement virtual outreach activities.
• Help countries to promote DaRT through statements during the negotiations at CBD OEWG-5
• Help countries develop case studies on their successful use of DaRT
• Organize a DaRT side event and help desk during CBD CoP 15 part 2 in Montreal Canada 7-19 December 2022
• Explore opportunities to organize DaRT information session at global and regional meetings.

Special Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent writing and communications skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Demonstrated capacity in organizing training workshops and engaging with national stakeholders in a consultative manner
• Good networking and good inter-personal skills
• Experience with UNEP policies.

The consultant will report to Programme Management Officer, Environmental Treaties.

Qualifications/special Skills

• Master's degree in Environmental Science is required.
• Must have work experience of 7 years of professional experience in the field of environmental governance, sustainable development or related areas, in particular the Multilateral
• Environmental Agreements (MEAs) governing processes, preferably with focus on
• knowledge management and reporting to different MEAs is required.
• Proven experience and expertise in designing knowledge management tools for MEAs and their rollout is required.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience with using the Data Reporting Tool (DaRT) is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of technical knowledge of biodiversity policy, information management, and environmental governance with preferred experience in coherent implementation of MEAs is desirable.
• Proven experience and expertise in designing knowledge management tools for MEAs and their rollout to countries is desirable.
• Strong expertise with the operation of the DaRT and proven experience developing national and regional information Portals and websites is desirable.
• Proven experience in DaRT training skills training for national and UN staff is desirable.
• Strong demonstrated skills on teaching and learning applied methodologies and in on-line environments, at tertiary level is desirable.

Closing: 15 November 2022

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Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice on the mandate and international status of the United Nations Environment Programme (Programme), its Governing Bodies, subsidiary bodies, rules of procedure and applicable United Nations regulations, rules and resolutions. Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, and reports.
• Reviews credentials. Lead officer in one or more areas of concentration, and independently handles a wide range of multidiscipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international public, private and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of instruments in that area of concentration, or, for Tribunals, criminal law (both substantive and procedural).
• Attends meetings and services diplomatic conferences, the meetings of treaty bodies, commissions, committees, taskforces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations and meeting reports. Advises presiding officers.
• Provides advice in conjunction with the UNEP World Environment Situation Room (WESR Unit in the Big Data Branch of the Science Division) on the correct use of terminology in documentation of the United Nations Environment Programme.
• Coordinates and direct teams of junior officer, including United nations Volunteers dealing with significant problems as required, and/or mentors and supervises the work of junior officers on specific projects.
• Review draft decisions of the CPR, UNEA and the Conference of the Parties of treaty bodies or inter-governmental platforms.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
• 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.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law 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.
• 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in law or related field, including legal analysis, research and writing including at least two (2) years of service with the legal office of a government department or ministry or of the secretariat of an international organization, is required.
• Experience in professional legal work relating to procedural and institutional issues is desirable.
• Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Closing: 21 December 2022