Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the United Nations headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. We support programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other United Nations offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (www.unon.org). This post is located in Facilities Management and Transportation Section (FMTS), Central Support Services, Division of Administrative Services, UNON. This position reports to the Chief, Facilities Management & Transportation Section. Within delegated authority, the Environmental Sustainability Management Engineer will act as environmental sustainability focal point and be responsible for best practice across all section services related to environmental sustainability including section infrastructure engineering projects across the program areas comprising office space, construction, operations, maintenance and related environmental sustainability performance reporting and outreach activities, including coordination, management and oversight of UNON’s Environmental Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Certification, entity specific environmental performance reporting and associated environmental management services provision at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), and as such apply professional engineering knowledge and expertise in performance of the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Assists with inputs into section multi-year plans and budgeting activities for environmental upgrades and improvement projects, with specific focus on energy, water, wastewater, and waste management services, increased renewable energy capacities, reduced emissions and biodiversity. • Collaborates to provide technical expertise to multi-disciplinary teams on environmental sustainability best practice throughout facilities and operations, including research, feasibility studies, design proposals including energy modeling, drawings, specifications and cost estimates. • Supports with project management of environmental infrastructure projects across energy, water, wastewater and waste management services, working in close collaboration with technical teams to oversee contracted technical design, construction, operation and maintenance service providers in line with the established program of work. • Applies commonly used engineering calculations, practices and precedents in completing portions of larger projects related to the design, construction, or repair of buildings, waste disposal systems, water treatment facilities, electrical power generation and distribution systems, environmental control systems, and other related structures and activities. • Assists with management oversight and technical guidance to other section engineers and facilities specialists to develop technical data including plans, designs and specifications for projects, construction and related documents, including bills of quantities and drawings sufficient for tender out of construction works. • Assists to produce cost data and estimates on engineering-related requirements of current and planned new and retrofit projects. Analyzes project proposals to ensure technical feasibility and to ensure that project objectives are attainable within prescribed resources. • Supports in formulating environmental procedures, standards and guidelines into the program of work for construction and maintenance including life cycle replacement plans for infrastructure and operations. • Conducts research on development of new technical systems and follows development to identify improved methods and equipment. • Assists with guidance, coordinates and manages achievement of section environmental strategies, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on section environmental targets including associated projects in line with established environmental policies, environmental management system (EMS), requirements for ISO 14001:2015, and other UN sustainability strategies. • Coordinates, implements and manages activities related to the environmental management system (EMS), related external ISO 14001 certification, oversees collection, compilation, evaluation and distribution of facilities environmental performance related statistics to entities at the UN Gigiri premises as part of the established common back office services provision initiative, and reporting of environmental performance through www.greeningtheblue.org on annual basis. • Actively coordinates across section facilities and commercial services to ensure the timeliness, accuracy, completeness and adequate retention of supporting statistics related to the annual environmental performance reporting process, including compilation of audit related inputs. • Acts as advocate for environmental sustainability, participates in inter-agency environmental sustainability working groups to support common environmental targets and objectives. • Supports training and capacity building of section staff in environmental sustainability. Develops communication plans for section environmental outreach including preparation of outreach materials, carrying out environmental awareness training, including related interagency awareness raising efforts. • Prepares reports and presentations for management on progress and matters of a technical nature, as well as compilation of entity performance related content for UN environmental sustainability related reports. • Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Strong technical engineering knowledge and understanding of current strategies and practices related to environmental sustainability within the built environment, including environmental building solutions, renewable energy technologies, environmental performance assessment and sustainability rating tools, and requirements related to the implementation of entity specific environmental management systems and certification. 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. 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. 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 environmental engineering, environmental management, environmental sustainability, electrical and mechanical engineering (energy, water and or wastewater management), or another similar 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. Additional training in Environmental Management Systems and or ISO 14001:2015 certification is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in either environmental engineering, environmental management, environmental sustainability, electrical and mechanical engineering (energy, water and wastewater management), or related field, is required. Practical experience working as the principal responsible for planning, implementation, and delivery of environmental sustainability infrastructure or engineering (including improvements and upgrades to existing systems) projects with a specific focus on the built environment, energy, water, wastewater and waste services is required. Practical experience with planning, coordination, and implementation of an established entity wide Environmental Management System (EMS) and the related certification requirements for the same according to international standards such as ISO 14001:2015 is required. Practical experience working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to provide technical expertise, best practice and deliver on environmental building or engineering solutions, is required. Proficiency in use of REVIT, AutoCAD, or similar software is desirable. Prior experience in the United Nations system and or similar international environment working on environmental performance reporting, communication and outreach, is desirable. Practical experience with an environmentally certified building, or environmental performance assessment and rating tools, 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 another UN 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 for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone or teleconference.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. This post is a Fixed Term- Limited Duration position. Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA- limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. 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. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, 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. 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. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, USA, Vanuatu. 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.