Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity. Ecosystems Division’s Marine and Freshwater Branch delivers science, governance, and strategic communications expertise to catalyze action across the marine, coastal and freshwater continuum and respond to the triple planetary crisis of – climate, biodiversity, and pollution. In co-operation with other units of UNEP and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, Ecosystems Division’s Marine and Freshwater Branch catalyzes and promotes action-oriented activities aimed at developing and strengthening global, regional and national programmes and action plans for assessing, valuing, conserving and maintaining ecosystems, and sustainable management and use of resources. Within this framework the incumbent will undertake the development and implementation of policy and technical approaches to facilitate and support UNEP’s work on water management with a focus on integrated ecosystem approach to water resources and related ecosystems. The incumbent will be responsible for leading and coordinating the work of the Freshwater Wetlands Unit, including resource mobilization and performance management of the staff of the Unit and reporting requirements. Under the general guidance of the Director or Deputy Director of UNEP’s Ecosystem Division and under the direct supervision of the Principal Coordinator of the Marine and Freshwater Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

A. Operationalize the UNEP Water Policy & Strategy and all other UNEP mandates on water: 1. In the context of UNEP’s Water Policy and Strategy, Freshwater Ecosystems Management Programme and other relevant UNEP sub-programmes and initiatives, lead development and implementation of the UNEP water programme in cooperation with other Divisions across UNEP. 2. Facilitate partnerships for dialogue and implementation with, inter alia, water experts from national and international organisations. B. Coordination and development of the Freshwater Ecosystems activities within the ecosystems programme: 1. Coordinate implementation of the UNEP Water Policy and Strategy within the UNEP ecosystem management programme and in cooperation with partners formulate methodologies, guidelines, and capacity building initiatives criteria for application of relevant technologies, and tools, for improving institutional capability, globally as well as regional and national programmes and action plans for monitoring, assessing, valuing, conserving, and maintaining water ecosystems. 2. Coordinate activities to facilitate development and implementation of the freshwater ecosystems programme including the mobilization of resources, initiating and/or assessing the viability of environmental projects and programme elements in ecosystem management and making recommendations to the Branch Coordinator and Division management. 3. Liaise with relevant UN agencies, intergovernmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations to ensure UNEP collaboration in water programme development and implementation nationally, regionally, and globally. 4. Coordinate the preparation of reports for presentation to senior management, governing councils and intergovernmental bodies ensuring quality of technical papers and follow up to Senior Management decisions related to freshwater ecosystems. 5. Facilitate and advocate innovative concepts and tools designed to improve or re-orient implementation of the freshwater ecosystems with UNEP’s water policy objectives and strategy: (i) Improved awareness of water issues; (ii) improved management of basins (including trans boundary basins), and linkage to coastal and marine waters, and (iii) improved cooperation in the water sector. 6. Lead, organize and/or participate in substantive discussions, meetings, and conferences an represent the unit at international, regional, or national meetings and provide programmatic and substantive expertise to promote ecosystem-based approaches for water management and impacts to water security and ecosystem services. 7. Provide policy and programme guidance to Branch Coordinator and Division management to align unit activities with UNEP’s overall mandates and strategic objectives as they emerge in integrated water resource management (IWRM), water security and ecosystem services. 8. Provide technical guidance at the national and regional level on freshwater/coastal linkage within the context of the UNEP Water Policy Strategy; and assist countries to develop regional or sub regional plans for the integrated management of trans-boundary water resources. 9. Report on the status of implementation of the work programme regularly as scheduled by the UN reporting requirements or as and when ca1led upon by the Division Management. C. Enhance UNEP’s engagement on freshwater ecosystems: 1. Review and analyse UNEP’s current work on water, global and regional trends and develop potential areas of future Ecosystems Division collaboration/cooperation into a comprehensive project portfolio with complementary linkages to the work of integrated water resources management (IWRM), within the ecosystem management and governance sub programmes in UNEP. D. Management of the Freshwater Ecosystem Unit: 1. Recommend to the Branch Coordinator the allocation of financial resources, justifying administrative and/or results-based budget proposals and work plans; monitor and report budgetary performance of the Unit. 2. Manage staff performance and ensure ongoing professional development, continued Learning and the right mix of skills and competencies; under delegated authority from the Branch Coordinator initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions. 3. Guide and support professional and general service staff in meeting their objectives an outputs; foster teamwork and communication in the Unit and across organizational boundaries. 4. 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. 5. Perform other duties as may be required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment 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. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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 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. BUILDING TRUST: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in freshwater ecosystems, ecology, environmental studies or management is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) 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

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in large-scale project or programme management in ecosystems management is required. At least five (5) years of experience at international level is required. Experience addressing environmental issues through multi-disciplinary approaches and partnerships related to freshwater ecosystems and water resources management is required. Experience in policy-oriented work in a broad range of sustainable development issues, particularly on Sustainable Development Goal 6 on Water and Sanitation and with SDG 14 Life Below Water, is required. Experience with intergovernmental processes is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations Official language is desirable. 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. Applicants who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.