OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

In the framework of the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030 and UNESCO’s Environmental Sustainability and Management Policy, UNESCO is implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS), which is coordinated by the Executive Office of the Sector for Administration and Management (ADM/EO). The overall goal is to minimize any negative impact on the environment by UNESCO’s operations and programme activities worldwide, and contribute positively to protecting the environment and communities in which the Organization operates.

One of the activities to reduce the environmental impact of UNESCO is an internal carbon tax, charged on all air travel paid for by UNESCO. The revenue is collected in a Special Account for Environmental Action and is used to support UNESCO’s ‘climate neutrality’ by purchasing carbon offsets for unavoidable emissions, and by financing emission reduction projects across UNESCO’s Offices and Category I Institutes.

In addition, the unit organises a broad range of regular communication activities to raise staff awareness and commitment, such as action days, pledges, workshops and engagement campaigns that require some logistical arrangements.

Under the overall authority of the ADM/EO, and the direct supervision of the Environmental Sustainability Officer, the incumbent will support all initiatives falling under the Special Account, including the calculation and collection of the internal carbon tax on air travel.
In particular, the incumbent will:

• Facilitate the collection of the internal carbon tax on air travel on a monthly (staff travel) and quarterly (non-staff) basis, including the calculation of the tax using a macro in Excel and preparation of budget files for posting in SAP.
• Liaise and follow up with the relevant colleagues at Headquarters and in UNESCO Field Offices and Category I Institutes to correct any potential errors in carbon tax postings.
• Support staff engagement activities with respect to environmental sustainability, including communication with internal and external partners, support for translations, publications and intranet articles, logistics of meetings and events, etc.
• Coordinate the organization of regular workshops in the biodiversity and vegetable garden.
• Carry out the daily administrative work of the ADM Executive Office (contract management, correspondence, room booking/meeting organization, note-taking, etc.).
• Assist with other tasks related to the implementation of UNESCO’s Environmental Management System and any other necessary administrative assistance for ADM.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Completed secondary, technical and/or vocational education.

Work Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of work experience in administration, budget and/or human resource management.
• Experience in working in an international environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy to be able to engage with a variety of partners internally and globally.
• Good knowledge of MS Office suite, including Excel.
• Proven ability to work with large data sets or budgets.
• Proven drafting and communication skills.
• Ability to operate with a considerable degree of autonomy, to take initiative and work effectively in a team.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and spoken) and good knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Specialized secretarial training/certification or first University degree in administration.
• Experience in the UN system or international organization.

Skills and competencies

• Basic knowledge of SAP for budget monitoring.
• Experience with the calculation of Greenhouse Gas emissions, preferably using the UN ICAO calculator.

Languages

• Knowledge of other official language(s) of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).