SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. The post is located in the Governance Affairs Office at the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will head the Governing Bodies Unit and the Civil Society Unit as well as act as Deputy Director for the Governance Affairs Office, reporting to the Director of the Office. Within delegated authority, the Senior Programme Officer will support matters concerning convening and following up on sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and its subsidiary bodies. Under the guidance of the Director of the Governance Affairs Office, the Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Governing Bodies Unit • Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services to the sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and its subsidiary organs, in particular the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR), including continuous guidance and advice to the presiding officers as well as other elected offices on the conduct of meetings, organization of work, status of negotiations, and rules of procedure and established practices. • Serves as the Secretary of preparatory and in-session negotiating committees before and during the UN Environment Assembly, as required. • Supervises preparations of the procedural script for the presiding officer for each meeting and on each agenda item of the CPR, including for regular quarterly meetings of the Committee, meetings of the CPR subcommittee, the annual meeting of the subcommittee of the CPR, and the Open-Ended meeting of the CPR. • Supports the work of the Bureau of the CPR in preparation for the meetings of the CPR. • Supervises the timely and accurate submission and issuance of all pre-session, in-session and post-session documentation (including draft recommendations) of the CPR. • Coordinates the intersessional work of the CPR between the annual meeting of the Subcommittee of the CPR and the Open-Ended meeting of the CPR. • Facilitates the organization of orientation sessions and training on UNEP’s governance and functions for the representatives of Member States accredited to the CPR. • Assists in coordinating CPR follow-up actions in close coordination with the relevant UNEP Divisions. • Coordinates communication with Member States on the work of UNEA, the CPR and UNEP, timely update of the various online contact directories, and providing timely responses to external queries. • Prepares draft briefing notes and talking points for the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. • Supervises research and studies to evaluate and improve the procedure and practice of UNEA, the CPR and other intergovernmental bodies, as required. • Contributes to governance-related policy development and decision-making processes. • Upon request by the Director, represents the Division at meetings inside and outside the organization. • Leads and directs the team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of unit and individual work plans and training programs. • Assists the Director in activities related to budget formulation and in the implementation of the programme of work. • Acts as officer-in-charge of the Division in the absence of the Director. Civil Society Unit • Leads, sets priorities and manages the development, implementation and evaluation of UNEP's Major Groups and Stakeholders programme in line with UNEP's Stakeholder Engagement Handbook and in accordance with the Rules of Procedures of the United Nations Environment Assembly and established practice. • Coordinates policy development related to a strengthened engagement of Major Groups and Stakeholders in the United Nations Environment Assembly and its subsidiary organs, including the Committee of Permanent Representatives and other UNEP-led intergovernmental processes. • Undertakes surveys related to Major Groups and Stakeholders; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions and recommendations. • Prepares substantive outputs, including background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies and internal briefing notes on the contribution of Major Groups and Stakeholders in improving the global environment. • Oversees the accreditation of Major Groups and Stakeholder to the United Nations Environment Assembly, in line with applicable rules and regulations. • Maintains regular and constructive relations with Major Groups and Stakeholder accredited to the United Nations Environment Assembly, including through UNEP's Major Groups Facilitating Committee. • Contributes to relevant activities related to budget, resource-mobilization and funding in support of Major Groups and Stakeholders engagement. • Manages the day-to-day operations of the Civil Society Unit and coordinates the division of work among the team members. • Provides strategic advice to the Division Director and to UNEP Senior Management on matters relating to Major Groups and Stakeholders. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other duties as required.

PROFESSIONALISM: Possesses sharp political awareness as well as negotiation and diplomatic skills; Knowledge of intergovernmental processes, including relevant rules of procedure, mandates and other provisions, as well as past practice and precedent; a thorough knowledge of documentation of United Nations or similar international organization; Direct experience in policies and practices relevant to the engagement and participation of Major Groups and Stakeholders in intergovernmental processes. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, diplomacy or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degrees and non-degrees in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is desirable.

Not available.

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of international relations, law, diplomacy, policy or sustainable development is required. Experience in the provision of secretariat support to intergovernmental processes and legislative machinery in an international organizational such as the United Nations is required. Work experience in procedures and practices of an intergovernmental body is required. Experience working with Major Groups and Stakeholders in intergovernmental fora and/or working in the organization of a diverse range of stakeholder groups in complex process is required. Experience working with Member States and other actors for the purposes of fundraising is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

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

This position is temporarily available for 364 days and may be subject to extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process, including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants - When completing the Candidate Profile form, 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. 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 or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. 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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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