Associate Programme Officer, L1
Closing date: 05 Jun 2009
Location: Kenya - Nairobi
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level and has its global headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Its mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP’s Medium Term Strategy for 2010-13 identifies 6 priority areas: Climate Change, Disasters and Conflicts, Ecosystem Management, Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste and Resource Efficiency.
UNEP's Division of Regional Cooperation (DRC) supervises and supports the work of 6 Regional Offices located in Nairobi (Africa), Bangkok (Asia and the Pacific), Panama City (Latin America and the Caribbean), Geneva (Europe, including Eastern Europe), Bahrain (West Asia) and Washington DC (North America) as well as a number of Country and Liaison Offices.
DRC also facilitates South-South and North-South cooperation across regions and provides a coordinating platform for global activities with a strong cross-cutting focus such as UNEP’s work with Major Groups and its collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP).A concrete example of a joint UNDP-UNEP partnership is the Territorial Approach to Climate Change with major associations of regional (sub-national) authorities.
This partnership on climate change mitigation and adaptation at sub-national level aims at assisting the development and implementation of mitigation and adaptation plans in 50 regions (within national plans and strategies) and at raising awareness in a total of 500 regions worldwide, utilizing North-South and South-South cooperation mechanisms.
The initiative was launched during the first World Summit of the Regions on Climate Change (held in St. Malo, France on 29-30 October 2008), where a Letter of Intent was signed between UNDP, UNEP, FOGAR (Forum of Global Associations of Regions), nrg4SD (Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development) and other associations of regions.
UNEP will lead the implementation of Phase 1 of this initiative, which focuses on awareness raising and training.
This post is located in the Regional Office for Africa (ROA) of UNEP/DRC in Nairobi.
Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Climate Change Officer, Regional Office for Africa (ROA) and in coordination with partners, especially UNDP, the incumbent will contribute to the:
Launch of Phase 1 of the Territorial Approach to Climate Change initiative in the region;
Compilation and identification of climate change information, training needs of sub-national authorities and best practices;
Successful organization of one workshop for sub-national authorities; the Associate Programme Officer will be part of the Regional Office climate change team.
Within the context of the Territorial Approach to Climate Change initiative, he/she will have the following duties:
1. Assist in compiling best practices and existing information on climate change impact and integrated policies in relevant regions;
2. Assist in assessing the training and information needs of sub-national authorities in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation through their relevant regional associations;
3. Assist in collecting and reviewing as well as present proposals on how to customize existing internal and external training material and tools for possible use;
4. Assist in creating new tools/material tailor-made to the specific climate change issues in the regions as necessary;
5. Contribute to a future web-based platform with climate change information material that will be operated by Associations of Regions;
6. Assist in organizing a workshop for regional groupings of sub-national authorities inviting practitioners from regions, experts, central governments, NGOs, private sector and academia to exchange know-how and good practice;
7. Compile input to the UNDP Programme Manager for reporting to the Project Supervisory Board.
Qualifications
Education:
First university degree in environmental science, natural resource management, development studies, environmental law, business administration or related field.
An advanced university (i.e. master’s) degree and specialization in climate change issues are advantageous.
Experience:
Two years working experience in the area of sustainable development, preferably in the context of a developing country and/or in relation to climate change issues
Competencies
Professionalism
- Sound knowledge of climate change issues and related national and international policies and mechanisms; Broad knowledge of the global, regional, national and subnational environment and development agendas; Demonstrated professional competence in the area of programme/project development, management and administration; Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct research in the subject matter; Ability to work under pressure within tight deadlines, ensuring quality of programmatic outputs and services.
Planning and organizing
- Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and make necessary adjustments as required, foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning.
Communication
- Ability to write and speak clearly and effectively; Proven ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork
- Experience and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; proven record in working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Ability to take initiative and to work independently, as well as be part of a teamLanguages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the advertised post, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
Knowledge of any other official UN language is an asset.
How to apply
Please go to: http://www.unep.org/vacancies(See Project Positions)
