Organizational Setting and Reporting
Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.
This position is to be located in the Climate Change, Environment & Natural Resource Management Division (CEND) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme), in close collaboration with the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support) and under the overall guidance of the Executive Secretary.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Director of the Climate Change, Environment & Natural Resource Management Division (CEND) will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provides support to Member States and intergovernmental organizations in formulating and implementing gender sensitive policies in the areas of climate change, green and blue economy, natural resources management, science, technology and innovation in support of the key drivers of Africa’s sustainable structural transformation, including strengthening human and institutional capacities of Member States;
- Establishes research to improve capacities of policymakers in analyzing and managing policies to address issues of climate change, environment and natural resource management, science, technology and innovation and transitioning to low-carbon, inclusive green and blue economy;
- Enables research to support and promote policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for – sustainable management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (minerals and extractives, fisheries, forest, water land marine and other biodiversity resources); and efficient utilization of science, technology and innovation to address issues of climate change, natural resources management;
- Assists Member States in development of databases and indicators;
- Nurtures current strategic partnerships with the AUC and AfDB-NEPAD, identifying new partnerships for the section to leverage outputs and implement activities;
- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Division under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate;
- Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Division under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Division and by other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others;
- Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and other policy-making organs, as appropriate;
- Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports;
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates;
- Assists the Deputy Executive Secretary – Programme in preparing the work programme of the Division determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery;
- Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting;
- Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance;
- Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision;
- Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries;
- Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars;
- Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;
- Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings.
Results expected: Produces high-quality outputs on key issues. Effectively and efficiently manages available human and financial resources to ensure the timely delivery of programmed outputs. Provides solid substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies; reports for these bodies are clear and focused on the issue at hand and the meetings or seminars are well-organized meetings or seminars and address the topics covered in a comprehensive manner. Effectively develops staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development. Effectively assists, guides and supports programme managers in meeting their objectives and outputs.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of climate change, environment and natural resource management and sustainable development policies and strategies in general and in the specific areas being supervised; has proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others; ability to manage teams with in-depth understanding of overall strategic direction; ability to provide expert advice on substantive/difficult issues and defend/explain key decisions to staff, senior officials and members of the intergovernmental bodies. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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 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.
- 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 honours 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.
Managerial Competencies
- 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.
- Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in natural or earth sciences, economics or development or related area is required. A Doctorate is an advantage. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in climate change, environment, natural resource management or science, economics and policy research, analysis and international development or related fields is required. Technology and innovation and sustainable development experience is required. Senior-level experience in programme and project planning and management and work in regional and sub-regional organizations is desirable. Experience with development issues in Africa and in high-level dialogue on policy development with senior government representatives, heads of bilateral or multilateral institutions are desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French is required and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment exercises which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
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.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2018, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on ‘Manuals’ hyper-link on the upper right side 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.
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
