Job Title: PRINCIPAL
OFFICER, D1
Department/ Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: MONTREAL
Posting Period: 24 October
2012-23 December 2012
2012-23 December 2012
Job Opening number: 12-ADM-UNEP-25165-R-MONTREAL (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity,
Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is
the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental
issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the
development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment
under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and
the international community for action.
the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental
issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the
development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment
under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and
the international community for action.
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de
Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable
development’. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological
Diversity . The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of
biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in
Montreal and is administered by UNEP. This post is located in UNEP/SCBD in
Montreal. Under the guidance and supervision of the Executive Secretary, the
incumbent will perform the following tasks:
Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable
development’. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological
Diversity . The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of
biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in
Montreal and is administered by UNEP. This post is located in UNEP/SCBD in
Montreal. Under the guidance and supervision of the Executive Secretary, the
incumbent will perform the following tasks:
Responsibilities
a) Develop and maintain a plan for the Secretariat’s
support to mainstreaming the strategic plan with relevant organizations
internationally to advance its implementation, monitoring, assessment and
review;
support to mainstreaming the strategic plan with relevant organizations
internationally to advance its implementation, monitoring, assessment and
review;
b)
Coordinate programmes within the Secretariat to promote the implementation of
the strategic plan of the Convention at the national, regional and global
levels;
Coordinate programmes within the Secretariat to promote the implementation of
the strategic plan of the Convention at the national, regional and global
levels;
c) Liaise with out-posted regional UNEP staff to
promote implementation of the strategic plan and monitoring of the Aichi
targets;
promote implementation of the strategic plan and monitoring of the Aichi
targets;
d) Liaise
with other organizations within and outside of the United Nations system to
facilitate contributions to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and
contributions to the UN Decade for Biodiversity;
with other organizations within and outside of the United Nations system to
facilitate contributions to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and
contributions to the UN Decade for Biodiversity;
e) Oversee
the preparation and ensure quality of reports for presentation to senior
management, the Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI) and the
Conference of the Parties (COP) on the assessment and review of the
implementation of the strategic plan;
the preparation and ensure quality of reports for presentation to senior
management, the Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI) and the
Conference of the Parties (COP) on the assessment and review of the
implementation of the strategic plan;
f) Analyze scientific, technical and policy
developments relevant to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and prepare
proposals for additional activities;
developments relevant to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and prepare
proposals for additional activities;
g) Ensure follow-up action to relevant decisions of
the Conference of the Parties and other bodies of the Convention related to the
strategic plan and Aichi targets;
the Conference of the Parties and other bodies of the Convention related to the
strategic plan and Aichi targets;
h) Act as focal point in the Secretariat for
national focal points and partnership with development agencies externally;
national focal points and partnership with development agencies externally;
i) Lead,
organize and/or participate in substantive discussions, meetings, and
conferences and represent SCBD in those meetings;
organize and/or participate in substantive discussions, meetings, and
conferences and represent SCBD in those meetings;
j) Establish
and maintain inter-linkages and partnerships with partners internationally to
enhance synergy and integration of biodiversity in their programmes;
and maintain inter-linkages and partnerships with partners internationally to
enhance synergy and integration of biodiversity in their programmes;
k) Establish external contacts and partnerships
with governments and international agencies for the purpose of planning, approving
and improving collaboration and coherence in mainstreaming biodiversity;
with governments and international agencies for the purpose of planning, approving
and improving collaboration and coherence in mainstreaming biodiversity;
l) Determine
priorities and the allocation of resources for the effective completion of
outputs and in ensuring their timely preparation and high-quality standards;
priorities and the allocation of resources for the effective completion of
outputs and in ensuring their timely preparation and high-quality standards;
m) Manage staff performance to ensure ongoing
professional development and continued learning;
professional development and continued learning;
n) Report to the Executive Secretary, donors and
the intergovernmental bodies of the Convention on budget proposals, programme
performance and programmatic/substantive issues;
the intergovernmental bodies of the Convention on budget proposals, programme
performance and programmatic/substantive issues;
o) Oversee the recruitment of staff, including
short-term staff and consultants;
short-term staff and consultants;
p) Manage, guide, develop and train staff; foster
teamwork and communication among staff and across organizational boundaries;
teamwork and communication among staff and across organizational boundaries;
q) Participate as a member of the Management Committee
of the Secretariat;
of the Secretariat;
r)Liaise with all stakeholders for their inputs
into the preparation of the GBO;
into the preparation of the GBO;
s) Ensure
the timely production of the GBO;
the timely production of the GBO;
t) Lead in the Secretariat-wide coordination for
the production of the GBO,
the production of the GBO,
u) Perform other related duties as requested by the
Executive Secretary.
Executive Secretary.
Competencies
Professionalism: Proven analytical capacity and
in-depth knowledge of the various complex dimensions of environment and
sustainable development; good research skills and ability to coordinate the production
of reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of
others; Shows pride in work and in achievements and is conscientious and
efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains
calm in stressful situations.
in-depth knowledge of the various complex dimensions of environment and
sustainable development; good research skills and ability to coordinate the production
of reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of
others; Shows pride in work and in achievements and is conscientious and
efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains
calm in stressful situations.
Client orientation: Establishes and maintains
productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
Identifies client needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Meets
timeline for delivery of product of services to client.
productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
Identifies client needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Meets
timeline for delivery of product of services to client.
Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that
are consistent with agreed strategies; Foresees risks and allows for
contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as
necessary.
are consistent with agreed strategies; Foresees risks and allows for
contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as
necessary.
Leadership: Empowers others to translate vision
into results; Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives;
Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
incorporates gender perspectives and ensures the equal participation of women
and men in all areas of work.
into results; Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives;
Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
incorporates gender perspectives and ensures the equal participation of women
and men in all areas of work.
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.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or
equivalent) in environmental sciences , sciences, natural resources management,
environmental law , international law or related area. A first level university
degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the
advanced university degree.
equivalent) in environmental sciences , sciences, natural resources management,
environmental law , international law or related area. A first level university
degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the
advanced university degree.
Work Experience
At least 15 years of progressively responsible
experience, including in the field of environment and sustainable development
or related area is required. Profound management experience including resource
management in human resources and financial management, as well as experience
in programme and project planning and analyses is required. Experience in
strategy setting and implementation as well as international negotiations is
required. Work experience in senior officer assignments in an international
organization is highly desirable.
experience, including in the field of environment and sustainable development
or related area is required. Profound management experience including resource
management in human resources and financial management, as well as experience
in programme and project planning and analyses is required. Experience in
strategy setting and implementation as well as international negotiations is
required. Work experience in senior officer assignments in an international
organization is highly desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the
United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and
written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an
advantage.
United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and
written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an
advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this
position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a
competency-based interview.
position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a
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.
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.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well
before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be
acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well
before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be
acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
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. If the problem
persists, please send an email to recruitment@unon.org, quoting the job opening
number in the subject header of your email.
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 send an email to recruitment@unon.org, quoting the job opening
number in the subject header of your email.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the
United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a
non-smoking environment.
the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under
conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the
United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a
non-smoking environment.
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.
STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING,
OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON
APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Closing Date: Sunday, 23 December 2012
