Senior Programme Management Officer (Special Assistant to the Executive Director) at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

• Advises the Executive Director (ED) on programmatic, policy and managerial issues: Takes the lead to coordinate strategic prioritization of all communications addressed to the ED, directs review of relevant documents and reports.
• Identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties and identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• Monitors and identifies emerging policy and managerial issues in consultation with UNEP senior management.
• Supervises preparation of briefing materials for the ED.
• Maintains liaison with UNEP Divisions and serves as contact point between the ED, Executive Office (EO), Senior Management and UNEP Regional Offices:
• Establishes and maintains effective liaison with senior management on policy as well as programmatic issues relevant to the ED's functions and responsibilities.
• Liaises closely with the Deputy Executive Director (DED), Chief of Staff and EO team, keeping abreast of key developments on strategic issues.
• Oversees the ED's day-to-day commitments.
• Ensures prompt and efficient communication and coordination between the ED and UNEP Divisions/Offices.
• Reviews communication/correspondence for ED approval, together with the Chief of Staff.
• Drafts high level complex correspondence for and on behalf of the ED, including confidential correspondence, in close liaison with the UNEP's Divisions and relevant staff.
• Takes a leading role in supervising the administration of technical support of the ED's official travel.
• Leads or participates in technical cooperation missions with the ED and keep in close contact with EO with regard to the substantive and logistical preparations required.
• Ensures liaison with external partners by engaging with key officials at all levels outside the organization - Advises and supports the ED with governments, delegations, senior UN officials, UN system organizations and non-governmental organizations: Facilitates effective communication and contacts between the ED and these bodies / organizations.
• Brings to ED, DED and Chief of Staff attention, issues relevant to UNEP's bilateral relations with governments and interagency cooperation. • Reviews confidential communication from governments and draft high level complex correspondence for and on behalf of the ED. 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, economics, law, environmental science or public administration.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental management, environmental governance, programme/project management and sustainable development is required.
• Experience in international and multilateral relations is required.
• Experience within the international environment governance system is required.
• Experience in advising senior officials is required.
• Experience working in the front office of a UN Head of Entity or department is desirable.
• Experience with the United Nations common system is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.