environmental affairs officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

Under the general supervision of the P5, Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section, Environment Division, with the guidance of the P4, Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), and the direct supervision of the P4, Environmental Affairs Officer, the incumbent will support the implementation of the programme of work under the Water Convention, in particular its programme area on "Promoting an integrated and intersectoral approach to water resources management at all levels", by supporting the planning and implementation of activities under extrabudgetary projects in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asian countries.

The main objective of the work is to improve the management of water resources, in particular of transboundary waters in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, by strengthening water governance at the national and transboundary levels through National Policy Dialogue (NPD) and Regional Policy Dialogue processes, and supporting the application of the water-food-energy-ecosystem nexus approach, including the operationalization of nexus solutions and investments and the development of regional/basin level strategies, to foster transboundary cooperation.

Responsibilities

• Supports the National and Regional Policy Dialogue process with a focus on intersectoral and transboundary cooperation: o Supports the work of national Steering Committees and regional steering bodies which guide National and Regional Policy Dialogues (NPDs), including the technical and substantial organization of meetings. o Supports the preparation and implementation of the national and regional workplans. o Produces and delivers substantive presentations/reports. o Works closely with national authorities to provide technical and policy advice on a broad range of issues related to water governance, intersectoral and transboundary cooperation, effective resources planning, and climate adaptation and mitigation. o Supports the work of government-appointed rapporteurs and consultants to the secretariat, interns and other resource persons in the drafting of legislation, strategies, assessments, research studies and background papers. o Contributes substantively to the policy packages, regional and basin strategies and other activities developed in the framework of the projects. o Plans and organizes, in cooperation with international and national partners and including both substantial and logistical arrangement, capacity building events to strengthen water governance and integrated water resources management at the national, transboundary and regional levels. o Develops training modules at national and regional level. o Participates and represents UNECE in project meetings or in related meetings. o Plans and develops documents and publications.
• Supports the management and development of the projects: o Supports his/her supervisor in administrative and financial management of the extrabudgetary projects. o Arranges consultancy contracts, grant agreements and other needed contracts to carry out activities. o In collaboration with supervisors, drafts project reports to donors according to project documents, and prepare budget proposals. o In collaboration with supervisors, prepares project proposals to donors and participates in other fund raising activities. o Provides information required by UN organizations, donors and other partners.

General:

o Performs other related duties as required and assist the rest of the Convention's Secretariat to implement the programme of work under the Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services.

o Represents the UNECE secretariat at international meetings and is willing to travel as required. o Provides input to UNECE senior management in his/her field of expertise as requested and required. o Drafts publications, press releases public relations bulletins and other communication material. o Publishes information on the Convention's website and keeps the webpages on the projects updated. o Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies

Professionalism:
In-depth understanding of environmental issues and water management issues. Knowledge of international legal instruments in the field of environment and water. Knowledge of and ability to apply concepts in the area of environmental affairs. 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.

Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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 the 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

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in environmental management, law, science, engineering, economics or a related field is required.

A first-level or advanced degree (Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in any fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international levels in the areas related to water resources management or environmental management is required.

Experience in managing projects at the national or international levels is required.

Experience in servicing multi-stakeholder intergovernmental processes and meetings, preferably in connection with global or regional environmental legal instruments is desirable.

Experience providing policy and technical advice on water or environmental issues to national authorities is desirable. Professional experience in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Russian is a working language of ECE.

For the position advertised, fluency in English and Russian are required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This post is financed by extrabudgetary resources.

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.

The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).

Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile 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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