Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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. UNEP's mandate is to coordinate the development of
• environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging
• issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Communications Division communicates UNEP's core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide.
• The Senior Writer (consultant) will focus on key areas of UNEP's programme of work and the Medium Term Strategy. He/she will produce well-researched, innovative stories, messages, and other written content to engage the public on issues related to climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste. Under the supervision of the Head Writer, the consultant will perform the following duties: * Liaise with UNEP's communication division and subprogramme coordinators to identify, research,

conduct interviews and develop story ideas.

Draft stories, interactive texts, message pyramids, and film and animation scripts for UNEP and partner websites to support UNEP's Medium Term Strategy and core programmatic work.

Follow the news agenda on these topics, proactively identify and pitch topics for stories.

Qualifications/special skills

• Academic Qualifications : Advanced university degree in journalism, communication, international relations, social
• sciences or another related field is required. A first level university degree with an additional two years of
• qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience :

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information,
• communication, programme management or related field is required.
• Language : English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post,
• fluency in written and spoken English is required

Deadline: 14th April 2022

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Responsibilities

•  Independently provides full range of programme/project management and implementation assistance at all phases of the programme/project cycle for, typically, a large and highly complex component of the Marine and Freshwater Branch with a focus on marine litter initiatives, seeking guidance only in exceptional circumstances.
•  Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on wide range of source to sea pollution programmes/projects and related topics such as marine litter, highlighting noteworthy issues/trends for consideration by appropriate parties.
•  Tracks resolutions and other legislative decisions that affect programme/project content and oversees the preparation of the relevant database(s) to ensure the incorporation of programmatic and other changes enacted by legislation.
•  Reviews, appraises and revises, as necessary, all submissions for substantive programmes/projects, ensuring compliance with guidelines and programme/project objectives; identifies problems/issues, seek clarification from departments, assess replies, and prepares a summary for the manager with suggestions for further action.
•  Works with funding agencies in arranging financing modalities; obtains requisite clearances; ensures establishment of proper monitoring systems through scheduled reporting, review meetings and missions.
•  Drafts budget and forecast based on submissions; prepares monitoring checklists, identifying stages of programme/project development, funding source, inputs by reviewing internal and external bodies, and follow-up actions required.
•  Monitors budgetary commitments, including verification of charges and obligation documents Umoja/IPMR for all financial transactions; prepares periodic budget revisions and ensures appropriate resource allocations; reconciles accounts with amended budget; evaluates trends of financial implementation and makes necessary recommendations to line manager.
•  Prepares newsletters on programme/project-related activities; drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence.
•  Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of implementation activities and participates in programme/project evaluation; monitor implementation at all stages to ensure work is proceeding according to established plans, including analysing implementation difficulties and initiating remedial action; liaises with diverse organizational units to initiate requests; prepares standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtains necessary clearances, processes and follows-up on administrative actions and resolves issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organization of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services.
•  Arranges for formal closures of projects, final budget revision, transfer of equipment, clearance, publication and distribution of final report.
•  Provides secretariat services to committees, meetings, ad hoc tasks forces, etc.; drafts and circulates agenda notes to members/participants; assembles background documentation; drafts minutes of the meeting; monitors follow-up actions.
•  May undertake mission/field work in support of above activities, e.g. specific administrative, operational/control tasks for programme/project activities.
•  Establishes internal databases; sets up, files, stores and manages data and information relevant to the scope of programme/project activities.
•  Supervises office support staff, including distribution and review of work assignments, training, and inputs to performance evaluation.
•  Performs other related 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, independently assess, formulate recommendations and/or resolve a wide range of issues/problems, undertake research and gather information from standard sources and to work well with figures including ability to analyze and understand financial data. Ability to design information data bases from multiple sources into an integrated programme evaluation system. Ability to direct, supervise and train office support staff. Demonstrated ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given and discretion, resourcefulness and ability to deal proactively and tactfully with offices throughout the organization. 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.

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.

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 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 ten (10) years of experience in administrative services, programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required.
• Experience in organizing conferences is required
• Experience working in United Nations or similar international organization 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 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.

Deadline: 04 May 2022

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Responsibilities

Human Resources Management:

•  Initiates, reviews, processes and follows-up on actions related to the administration human resource activities, e.g.,recruitment of staff and consultants, placement, promotion, relocation, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures.
•  Responds to enquiries and provides information and advice to staff regarding their entitlements, administrative procedures, processes and practices, conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations.
•  Oversees the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and keeps track of status of job openings.
•  Monitors recruitment tables and prepare relevant statistical data/charts.
•  Supports the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme through proactive actions to advertise, extend contracts, costing and documentation for JPO recruitment.
•  Prepares and maintains the JPO portal, monitoring and updating as donor selections and commitments are made.
•  Liaising with Divisions and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) human resources focal points and UNON on matters relating to JPOs.

General Administration:

•  Drafting routine correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant administrative, financial audit, personnel matters.
•  Coordinating extensively with service units and liaising frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field.
•  Performing 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 seminars, conferences and translations).
•  May be responsible for guiding, training, and supervising the work of more junior General Service staff.

Contract Administration:

•  Providing support as HR Focal Point for Corporate Services Division to review and create job openings; assist in assessment of candidates; interview documents and finalize panel reports.
•  Reviewing of staff appointments and related actions for extension, process Special Post Allowance (SPA) and Classification/Reclassification for Corporate Services Division.
•  Assisting with day-to-day administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services.
•  Preparing and processing 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: 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.

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.

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

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Candidates must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally administered test at Offices Away from Headquarters. 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 and prior to the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

Work Experience

• Seven (7) years of experience in administrative services, human resources or related area is required.
• Experience in the application of Human Resource Management Systems, such as PeopleSoft, Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) such as SAP or similar is required.
• Experience acting as focal point for general administration and/or human resources to staff is required
• Experience in handling high-volume recruitments and supporting clients is desirable.
• Experience in the application of human resources policies and procedures of the United Nations or a similar international organization 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 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.

Deadline: 05 May 2022