Programme Management Officer, Nairobi 290 views0 applications

Posting Title: PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title: PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Posting Period: 18 October 2018 – 16 November 2018

Job Opening Number: 18-Programme Management-UNEP-100949-R-Nairobi (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

UN Environment 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 the global environment. UN Environment’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

This post is located in the Ecosystems Division, UN Environment, at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Chief,Terrestrial Unit, the incumbent will perform for the following duties

Responsibilities

Programme Planning and Coordination

1. Coordinate on a regular basis the development and implementation of the ecosystems in productive landscape with focus on agriculture and food security with other UN Environment Divisions and Regional Offices, and with FAO and other UN agencies.
2. Coordinate with other UN Environment technical team the development and implementation of the FAO-UN Environment partnership Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) on Work Area 2: ‘ecosystem services and biodiversity in agriculture, forestry and fishery’
3. Establish and maintain cooperation on sustainable food and agriculture throughout UN Environment via coordination of an organisational-wide response to the 10-Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) Sustainable Food Systems Programme, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Food and Agriculture as well as other relevant international programmes on food and agriculture, land-use and ecosystems resilience.
4. Represent UN Environment on food and agriculture related coordination calls/meetings related to global, national-level implementation and regional activities, and represent UN Environment in global, regional and national meetings relevant to sustainable food and agriculture.

Policy Analysis

1. Provide expert advice on programmatic and policy issues related to catalysing and implementing a shift to sustainable food and agriculture and resilient ecosystems.
2. Analyse the potential for common approaches that bring together Ecosystem-based Adaptation, Climate change mitigation and resource efficiency that contribute to other UN Agencies approaches to food and agriculture development and ecosystem resilience.
3. Initiate conceptual frameworks, tools and policy options to support a shift to more sustainable food and agriculture and ecosystem resilience including options for medium to long term governance of the sector and/or landscapes.

Programme / Project Development

1. Gather information from stakeholders (e.g., partner countries, UN agencies, civil society, private sector), and analyse their needs in terms of sustainable food and agriculture and ecosystem resilience.
2. Initiate and coordinate the development of new and revised project design, formulation, review, and approval methodologies.
3. Review and analyse project proposals for suitability with programme objectives and technical priorities.

Programme Implementation

1. In close collaboration with a core food and agriculture coordination group coordinate and/or contribute UN Environment responses to calls for proposals (Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund etc).
2. In close collaboration with relevant technical staff, lead and/or participate in large field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties; draft mission summaries.
3. Select and supervise project staff and consultants.
4. Draft, edit and secure clearances for key documents and mission reports; ensure that project interim and terminal reporting requirements are met.

Advisory, Liaison and Representational Work

1. Establish and maintain contacts and generate good will with current and potential partners, fund managers and non-traditional sources of funds. Translate opportunities into concrete partnership activities, outputs and goals at the project and thematic levels.
2. Establish and maintain a network of key contacts in relevant countries, UN Agencies, NGOs and the private sector. Keep abreast of appointments, thought leaders and key decision-makers in governments, NGOs, the private sector and other organisations relevant to UN Environment’s operations; gather intelligence on the countries concerned.
3. Analyse the objectives and scope of major international meetings and workshops; advise on UN Environment’s participation in and eventual contribution to such events; report on events and propose and co-ordinate subsequent follow-up activities.
4. Provide substantive backstopping to national and regional-level work of UN Environment in the development of projects and programmes that directly and indirectly promote a shift to a more sustainable food and agriculture sector and ecosystem resilience.
5. In close collaboration with colleagues from within the Ecosystems Division, the Economy Division and regional offices , identify and pursue funding opportunities for national- or regional-level activities of UN Environment that promote a shift to a more sustainable food and agriculture sector, land-use and ecosystem resilience.
6. Provide management support to the implementation of partnerships with donors.
7. Contributes to the fundraising and resource mobilization strategy of the unit.

Reports and Administration

1. Research and analyse information from diverse sources and organize and prepare written outputs, e.g., draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports, studies, and inputs to publications, etc.
2. Provide input to and development of budget and work elements for the work programme of the unit.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter in the area of agricultural policies, and sustainable landscape management; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Ability to develop strategies and empower others to accomplish objectives and solve problems.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.
• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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) environmental studies, agricultural development, or related 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.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible work in a field associated with this post, including at least three (3) years at the international level is required. Experience in the private sector, and/or with agricultural certification or similar environmental standards is highly desirable.Experience with engaging international policy and experience in the UN system is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This project post is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. 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. 1. 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. 2. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. 2. 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 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.