Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Environmental Performance Reviews Unit (EPR) of the Operational Activities and Review Section (OARS) of the Environment Division (ED) in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The broad aim of UNECE’s environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda. The P4, Environmental Affairs Officer, serves as Chief of the EPR Unit, coordinating the work of the Unit and supervising the staff of the Unit. The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the P5, Chief of Section, OARS, and the overall supervision of the D1, Chief of Service, ED. The P4 implements and monitors the coordination of Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs); evaluates strategy and management practices regarding environmental management policies and international cooperation in environmental matters, and formulates sound policy recommendations to countries; and prepares and services meetings held in the framework of the EPR Programme.

Responsibilities

The incumbent defines the outline and structure of an EPR report through interviews of experts in the country under review; and in selecting and building up teams of experts. The incumbent liaises and coordinates secretariat actions with senior officials in environmental and other ministries of the reviewed countries, senior national experts in the areas that are subject of the review, as well as with the EPR team experts; researches information; organizes exchange of information; schedules the review as well as the assessment missions and assists EPR team experts during the missions; after the mission participates in integrating and assembling the components of the report, and verifies and harmonizes data contained in the report; participates in the preparations of and assists in the Peer-review Meeting of the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy, amending and adopting recommendations. The incumbent provides an overarching view of recommendations, analyses findings in terms of own experience and knowledge, and adjusts a series of recommendations to executive officers of the environmental and other ministries of the reviewed country that are involved in environmental management, taking into account inter-linkages with economic, political and social factors. The incumbent raises funds to ensure proper functioning of the programme; designs activities to build capacities in reviewed countries to follow-up on and implement recommendations through policy and technical advice; organizes seminars and workshops for government experts and others; and communicates and shares programme results for policy learning. The incumbent independently prepares and services meetings held in the framework of the Programme; assumes responsibility, or stands by to assume responsibility when necessary during preparatory EPR missions, review missions and assessment missions by sharing the role of facilitator on the basis of knowledge and expertise gained in environmental management issues, presents and discusses the findings from evaluation with senior national experts and ministerial representatives in order to reach a consensus on the selection of issues to review. The incumbent undertakes research complementing EPR studies and professional training in substantive issues of relevance to EPRs, thus preparing for taking up such subjects when required by special circumstances; contributes to the evolution and improvement of the EPR methodology.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the effectiveness of environmental policies and institutions, sustainable development and the integration of the environment into sectoral policies. Ability to conduct independent research on environmental topics and determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. 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. 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. Empowering others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environment, economics, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in environmental or economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic or environmental principles in development programmes or related area is required. At least three years of experience in providing national environmental policy advice is required. Experience in organizing international multidisciplinary studies is required. Experience in organizing and managing multidisciplinary, multicultural teams for timely delivery of results is desirable. Experience in building effective working relationships with government officials and other stakeholders is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or Russian is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 October 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, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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.

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.