Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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 Africa Office helps to implement UNEP's Regional programs in Africa by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental, challenges, opportunities and emergencies. This position is located in the UNEP/Africa Office at the Nairobi Duty Station.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director, Africa Office, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the formulation and implementation of a coherent, relevant and effective regional strategic programme for Africa based on UNEP Programme of Work.
• Monitor the quality of the clay-to-clay programming, operations and management performance of the Africa Office and ensure timely delivery of results, reporting to donors and compliance with corporate management policies and guidelines with regard to planning and programming.
• Support the United Nations Delivering as One, particularly through substantive participation in the Regional Directors Teams meeting and the Regional Coordination Mechanism.
• Promote the building of strategic partnerships with relevant Government Agencies, Regional bodies such as African Union Commission (AUC) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Secretariat, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Civil Society Organizations and all relevant regional, sub regional and national stakeholders.
• Mobilize resources to support the implementation of UNEP's Programme of Work.
• Undertake regional and national environment intelligence gathering.
• Enhance UNEP's visibility and raise public awareness of environmental issues in the region.
• Support the generation of knowledge and learning on African environment and development issues.
• Act as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Regional Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned as directed by the Regional Representative and Director.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated competence in programme formulation, coordination and management, policy making, planning and monitoring; conscientious and efficient in observing deadlines, achieving results; takes accountability for goals and challenges; ability to identify and resolve key issues in a complex situation. 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 audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
• 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 improvements; 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 degree or equivalent) in natural or environmental science, economic/ political science, or a relevant scientific discipline 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development or environmental science, of which five (5) years should be at the international level are required.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in regional programme/projects coordination and resources mobilization is required
• Work Experience in African countries preferably in the area of strategic policy setting and diplomatic negotiations is desirable

Closing: 26 June 2022

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Objective of the consultancy

The main role of the consultant is to collate, organize, design, analyse and visualize data and datasets on coastal and marine biophysical data in the Nairobi Convention area and present these in data dashboards. The dashboards will provide a centralized, interactive means of monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and extracting a wealth of insights from relevant datasets in several key areas while displaying aggregated information in a way that is both intuitive and visual. This will facilitate data-driven decision making leading to promotion of responsible ocean governance and enable policy makers make timely, sound decisions.
The consultant is expected to develop interactive dashboards and visualisations and attempt at quality assurance of the collated data to identify and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data. The dashboard should represent key data insights visually in a meaningful way using leading data visualisation tools in the market e.g., Tableau, Microsoft Power BI etThe consultant is also expected to translate complex data analysis concepts and visuals into clear and useable messages for different audiences.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer of the ACP MEAs 3 programme

• Create visualization of the human environment datasets and awareness products on:
  • Population demographics and trends, coastal population growth in urban and rural areas, migration estimates
  • Built up areas, ports, harbours, shipyards, maritime transport, submarine cables, recreational areas, coastal tourism, roads, railway, hospitals, schools, fish markets
  • Fish land sites, mariculture (seaweed farms, cages, ponds, molluscs, sea cucumbers, sea horses), beekeeping, coastal agriculture (cashew farms, spice farms, livestock farming, bixa), irrigation (sugarcane, grains, horticulture)
  • Industries (oil and gas, wind/current/tidal/wave energy, mining/seabed mining, dredging, desalination plants,
  • Planning and management (administrative units, policies,legislation, coastal zones/areas, territorial waters, internal waters, EEZ, marine spatial/area plans, urban spatial plans, fish closure zones, locally managed marine areas, fishing areas, navy/military use, institutional coastal planning bodies/departments, community and cultural areas,
  • Pilot projects of the Nairobi Convention, best practices and lessons learnt
• Identify trends and provide feedback regarding the thematic data in (1) above.
• Refine the data model and processes to improve the underlying data and processes that impact data analysis, dashboard creation and reporting.
• Employ strong analytical and database skills for analysis, identify data gaps, and develop awareness products.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Experience

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Geoinformatics or related fields is required;

Work experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in information and knowledge management, data analysis, collection and visualisation systems, results and online reporting or related area is required.
• Proven skills in designing and developing effective data visualizations (preferably in marine and coastal areas) using data visualization platforms such as advanced Excel visualizations, Tableau, PowerBI, and other business intelligence tools such as Geonetwork.
• Experience in information and knowledge management within the UN common system or another comparable international organization is desirable.

Language

• Fluent written and spoken English is required

Competences

• Professionalism: Knowledge of information management and data analysis tools and techniques, including those related to spatial and operational data management.
• Ability to conduct research and provide policy recommendations based on data and information analysis and management trends.
• Ability to demonstrate conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills and conduct independent research and analysis, identifying and assessing issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Closing: 29 June 2022

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This post is located in the Law Division OzonAction Branch of the at the Nairobi duty station under the direct supervision of the Finance and Budget Officer and overall supervision of the Head of Programme and Management Unit and Head of OzonAction Branch, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

BUDGET

• Provides support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions.
• Prepare supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
• Assists Managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Undertakes research and provides support to Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant
• intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.
• Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing
• variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Assist in preparation of financial reports, donor reports and annual progress report required by governing bodies.
• Liaise with UNON to follow up on pending payments, adjustments and payables clearance on behalf of the Regional
• offices teams.
• Monitors integrity of various financial databases and following up with Regional teams to ensure open grants and
• agreements are within the validity dates.
• 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.
• Periodic reconciliation of accounts and review substantive completed projects for financial closure and management of open items in ERP system and related portals.
• Process fund distribution as per the approval of the governing bodies.

TREASURY:

• Identifies and annotates bank account movements.
• File and archives as required.
• Assists in cash allocation to the grants as per governing bodies approval. Monitor rejected payment ledger and ensure corrective action taken.
• Assist the Programme Officer in tracking the status of payments.

GENERAL:

• Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, 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.
• Maintain and keep up-to-date files.
• May be responsible for providing guidance, training, and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. 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. 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 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

• Completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required. Additional training in project management or other relevant field is desirable.
• 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 progressive working experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area, is required.
• Proven experience working with Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) systems such as SAP is desirable.
• Experience working with an International Organization or the UN system is desirable.

Closing: 20 July 2022

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The South-South Collaboration Forum is a joint effort of the UNEP–Ecosystems Management Partnership (IEMP) and Poverty-Environment Action to address poverty elimination, natural resource management and food security issues in Africa and Asia and the Pacific region through exchange of experience and lessons learned with partners, including Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Women in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and response. UNEP Ecosystems Integration Branch is the host of IEMP and the Poverty-Environment Action project at UNEP.

Responsibilities:

• During development and eventual delivery of the publications, the consultant will report to the UNDP–UNEP Poverty-Environment Action Programme Management Officer. The Consultant will perform the following tasks:
• Copy editing in English within 15 days of receiving the draft document;
• Check document for redundancy of language or content; ensure that the product highlight key
• messages in "plain" English, reducing jargon to deliver concise messages and ensure language
• consistency across the product, propose improvements to ensure concise text; perform quality
• assurance and correct consistency throughout the publications including review and correction of reference list and footnotes;
• Design infographics and illustrations that help convey the key messages of the publications. All
• infographics should be submitted as separate image files that can be used for social media. Layout and design the entire publication, following the UNDP–UNEP Poverty-Environment Action publishing guidelines, Poverty-Environment Action graphic design guide for cover illustrations and layout publications including use of graphics, boxes, figures, pictures, and bullet points to ensure the publications are easy to read, aesthetically pleasing, and consistent throughout;
• Review and proof reading of the designed version of the publication and identify and advise on any needed corrections of the text;
• Adjust the layout and design in accordance with feedback from Poverty-Environment Action Unit staff. Independently liaise with Poverty-Environment Action staff to ensure that necessary corrections are made; and finalize the design and format of the document’s graphs, tables and related artwork, making it ready for electronic publishing and online dissemination.
• Design of communications materials (invitation, poster/roll up).

Qualifications/special skills

• Skills: Demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team, ability to work well and deliver quality outputs under tight deadlines and excellent computer skills are an added advantage.
• Academic Qualifications: A university degree (1st degree) in English, Information science, knowledge management, media and communications, or other relevant fields is required.
• Experience: Minimum eight (8) years of experience in editing of technical/policy documents preferably in environment and/or development is required. Broad knowledge of the UN system in general and understanding of policies, sound editorial and journalistic judgment as well as political sensitivities is desirable. Work experience with UNDP or UNEP an advantage.

Closing: 29 June 2022