Posting Title: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT, D2
Job Code Title: DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 28 April 2020 – 11 June 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-Programme Management-UNEP-134534-D-Nairobi (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational 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 global environmental issues. The mandate of UNEP’s Policy and Programme Division is to strategically position UN Environment’s vision and engagement through innovative policies and creative programmes. The Policy and Programme Division consolidates policy, programme, monitoring, gender and social safeguards functions, as well as engagement with the United Nations system and key global processes such as Agenda 2030. The Policy and Programme Director operates under the general guidance of UNEP’s Executive Director and is a member of the Senior Management Team.
Under the overall guidance of the Executive Director, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
- Lead the formulation of corporate strategy and policy related to the organization’s strategic objectives and programmes, including Medium Term Strategy and Programme of Work, liaising with Member States, partners and other stakeholders as appropriate, ensuring that relevant programme strategies and related instruments are developed in a coherent and cohesive fashion, are of the highest quality and in line with priorities approved by Member States. Coordinate the integration of UNEP’s activities across Divisions, Regional Offices and environmental conventions, as appropriate; coordinate the periodic review and reporting of corporate performance against the strategic objectives, as well as the formulation of strategic performance indicators and targets and their measurement.
- Lead UNEP’s efforts to promote a culture of results including by enhancing UNEP’s reporting and communication on results as well as by increasing the use of data; lead’s UNEP’s efforts to strengthen results-based management. Develop capacity in the various operational units of the organization: establishing and communicating quality standards, and providing advisory services related to project design, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Provide guidance to the Project Review Committee secretariat that reviews project concepts and documents and provides guidance on how they can align to corporate goals.
- Contribute to UNEP’s corporate decision making and the Senior Management Team’s policy and strategic discussions; coordinate and supervise the preparation of policy analyses, formulation, contributions, in collaboration with the Executive Office, the relevant Divisions, Chief Scientist and UN entities as appropriate. Oversee the formulation of overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting as required in an advisory capacity to the Executive Director.
- Lead UNEP’s positioning vis-à-vis the UN Development System reforms, including by providing overall guidance on optimal modes of service delivery in support of the new generation of UN Country Team and reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system; coordinate UNEP’s position setting vis-à-vis the inter-agency and inter-government activities carried out through the New York Office; lead the integration of UNEP’s programme and policies on the 2030 sustainable development agenda; contribute to the preparations of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the UN Environment Assembly, the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, and other inter-agency coordination and policy making organs as required; support and provide guidance to the organization’s corporate policy advocacy work.
- Coordinate and identify the strategic engagement opportunities for UNEP with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Global Climate Fund (GCF), as well as with the with key financial institutions and global funds. Provide leadership and act as an incubator and ‘docking station’ for strategic initiatives on key global and cross-cutting issues, in coordination with relevant divisions and regional offices; and support negotiations with donors, partners and supporters, as appropriate.
- Lead UNEP’s engagement in South-South Cooperation and Triangular Cooperation, and provides strategic support to Regional Offices and Divisions in engaging with relevant partners, including diverse development banks.
- Oversee ongoing efforts to incorporate and mainstream cross-cutting issues such as, inter alia, gender, environmental and social safeguards, human rights; facilitate the collaboration and interactive process of programme formulation and implementation between Divisions and Regional Offices.
- Performs other related duties as requested by the Executive Director.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the global and national environment, corporate strategy and policy related to the organization’s strategic objectives and programmes and engagement with UN system entities and related system-wide strategies, including the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development; Excellent knowledge of the institutional mandates, policies and procedures of the United Nations; Ability to provide policy advice on a range of managerial and political issues. Strong analytical skills and proven ability to develop policy options and strategies; ability to establish and maintain contacts at all levels. Sound political judgment and diplomatic skills. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations 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 when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
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.
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.
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
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Political Science, International Relations, Development, Economics, Environmental Management, or other relevant fields is required. A first level university degree in the specified fields of studies in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience
More than fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of political affairs, international relations, policy analysis and formulation on global political, development or environmental issues, environmental management, development, programme management or related area is required.
Experience in managing programmes with global partners and stakeholders is required.
Experience within the international environment governance system is required.
Ten (10) years of experience in a senior management leadership position at an international and/or multicultural organizations is required.
Experience in politically complex environment is desirable.
Experience in public and governmental institutions is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French or any other official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is available for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.
All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
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. 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.
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.
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 professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
- 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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
- If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira ‘Need Help?’ 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.
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.
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