Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the 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 environment. The overall objective of the UNEP Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities, industry and finance to develop and adopt policies, strategies, practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals, and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. This post will be based in Paris.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Life Cycle Initiative team, the Programme Management Officer will perform the following duties:
1. Act as focal point to coordinate the implementation of projects related to Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) with a focus on emerging economies and export-oriented developing countries around the world.
2. Provide support and technical assistance to different teams and offices in the organization in the integration of LCT across the Programme.
3. Act as focal point of projects related to LCT within different UNEP offices, liaising directly with the donors for updates and reporting with support from First Reporting Officer (FRO).
4. The Programme Officer will assist the head of the Life Cycle Initiative team by: a) Ensuring adequate delivery and reporting of the relevant output indicators and expected accomplishments in the UNEP programme of work; b) Coordinating the implementation and administration of project activities, including e-Learning and pilot projects; c) Enhancing the uptake and impact of project results to inform decisions and policy with life cycle knowledge, through strategic communication; d) Leading the Secretariat of the Global Life Cycle Assessment Data Network (GLAD); e) Strengthening capacity-building activities for policy-makers and business in response to requests from target countries, and partnerships and synergies with on-going initiatives within and outside UNEP (e.g. on sustainable consumption and production; eco-innovation project; sustainability reporting; and others); f) Managing fund-raising, budget and other operational matters; and g) liaise with the Regional Offices to implement capacity building projects.
5. Contribute substantively to the integration of LCT across UNEP projects while, providing support to different teams and offices to ensure proper consideration of LCT in their projects, increase awareness and capacity, and promote partnerships with relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate tools are developed, tailored and implemented.
6. Contribute to the broader areas of activities which include: preparation and presentation of inputs to seminars, workshops and training programmes; assist in drafting periodic reports such as status reports, financial reports, evaluation reports; contribute towards up-dating the website of different activities; and perform other related duties as assigned.
7. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable consumption and production and technicalities of Life Cycle Assessment related area. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainability or environment science. 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

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively experience at the international level, in Government or Business in the area of Sustainable Consumption and Production is required.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience with the technicalities of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Databases, open source data, and documentation of information, metadata and/or ontologies is desirable.
Experience in publications of scientific or journalistic articles as well as reports or books are desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English language (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a Project Post. Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to a satisfactory performance review, extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the project 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.