Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Division, determine priorities, and allocate resources for the completion of outputs/results and their timely delivery, in co-operation and co-ordination with other UN Environment Programme divisions and offices.
• Oversee activities undertaken by the Division as a contribution to the UNEP Programme of Work and Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), including preparation, execution and monitoring of office budget, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators and other administrative tasks.
• Ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely manner and co-ordinate work in the different areas both within the Division and other UN Environment divisions and offices, in accordance with UNEP’s ‘delivery model’ and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate, working closely with UNEP Regional Offices to support the UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, as per the UNEP Delivery Model and adherence to the principles of “One UNEP”.
• Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to donors, UNEP Environment Assembly, United Nations intergovernmental bodies and other scientific inter-governmental forums as appropriate.
• Manage, guide, develop, encourage and train staff under his/her supervision; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across UNEP;
• Chair meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; represent the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences; provide programmatic/substantive expertise and, when appropriate, hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Reports to UNEP Senior Management Team, intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Works collaboratively with Regional Offices to mobilize resources from global and regional sources for project funding. Clears the allocation of the necessary financial and human resources for the delivery of results related to the strategic objectives set by the UNEP leadership and its senior management team.
• Ensures close and effective engagement with Regional Offices to co-design projects that contain regional and national components. Ensures accountability for delivery of project results that fall within their division's expertise and mandate.
• Works collaboratively with the Chief Scientist and office to ensure credibility and quality of data, information and knowledge and products are aligned with organisational goals.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent degree) in natural sciences, social sciences, environmental management, economics or other related area is required.
• A first-level degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• PhD in environmental science and or any related environment field is desired.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of environmental science, environment engineering, environmental geography or development economics is required.
• Experience in programme and organizational management (human resources, budget, law, etc) in government, intergovernmental entities and/or United Nations, universities and research institutions and non-governmental organizations at a senior-level is required.
• Experience in environmental policy analysis, formulation and implementation, and/or providing technical assistance on environment/or economics to policy makers on the environment is required. • Working experience in a management and leadership position at senior level is required.
• Experience in the area of the environmental science-policy interface is required.

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• The consultant would be working under the overall supervision of the Head of the Unit to produce the following outputs:
• Regular design and layout updates of different language versions of booklet UNEP Your Partner for People and Planet as needed
• Updates and redesigns of existing factsheets
• Visualization of selected key messages in support of resource mobilization d. Power point presentations with engaging visuals – for funding events and for training purposes
• Financial data illustrations and templates that can be used across different products
• Layout and design of financial reports
• Create web friendly infographics on funding status, rankings etc.
• Create a collection of design elements and illustrations in png-format that can be used for different purposes/products across the team
• Other graphic design work as requested and agreed to.

Qualifications/special skills

• Bachelor's degree in communications, visual communication, graphic design or related fields is required.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in typographic design, publishing, data visualization, branding, logo creation or related field is required.
• Experience in developing design proposals for clients, motion graphics, social media graphics, posters, factsheets and web graphics required.
• Proven ability to layout and design long form reports in a user-friendly and visually appealing format required.

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Duties and Responsibilities

• The incumbent will support the South African G20 Presidency on the priorities of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG), provide technical support for the development and implementation of the workplan of the ECSWG in alignment with the priorities of the African Union and multilateral environmental processes, and substantive support for ECSWG meetings, including preparatory meetings with partners, stakeholders and other WGs to support the Presidency in accelerating the objectives of the ECSWG. The consultant will report to the Senior Programme Manager, in RoA coordinating UNEP’s G20 engagement.
• Provide technical support, through review, research and analysis, on South Africa’s priorities in the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group
• Support the benchmarking of G20 policies to identify best practices that shape South Africa’s contributions in the ECSWG
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for enhanced policy coherence within ECSWG workstreams and advancing South Africa’s objectives within the G20, in alignment with national, AU, and global environmental priorities.
• Support coordination across government departments, international organisations, and key stakeholders to ensure cohesive and effective representation of South Africa’s interests in ECSWG discussions.
• Support coordination with other Working Groups for recognition and integration of environmental aspects across different G20 tracks.
• Develop technical briefing materials, analytical notes, position papers, and strategic communication products to support ECSWG meetings and ministerial events.
• Support strengthening of institutional knowledge on G20 and ensuring continuity in G20-related work from the previous presidencies
• Support collaboration with international and domestic stakeholders to align initiatives, foster partnerships, and strengthen South Africa’s leadership role in the ECSWG.
• Support overall planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting for the effective delivery of ECSWG priorities by tracking progress, preparing regular updates, and ensuring deliverables align with South Africa’s G20 Presidency objectives.

Qualifications/special skills

• First university degree in a field related to environment science, conservation, natural resource management, economics or related field.
• At least 7 years experience at the national level in sustainable development and implementation of environmental related programmes, projects and activities is required.
• Experience in the development sector of South Africa is required.
• The incumbent should possess a good understanding of the political landscape and environmental issues in the region.
• Analytical/drafting/writing skills, communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as part of a team.
• A first University Degree in a field related to the environment science, conservation, natural resource management, project management, economics or related field is required.

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• The work of the Source to Sea Pollution Unit at the Ecosystem Division is guided by its new project document “Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source to sea”, which includes these key areas of work:
• Enhancing Wastewater, Nutrient Management and Sanitation Provision for Marginalized Coastal Communities in Sabah, Malaysia;
• Supporting strategies, capacity and data for global wastewater and environmental surveillance in Africa. The initiative “Supporting strategies, capacity and data for global wastewater and environmental surveillance in Africa" (also referred to as the “Wastewater Surveillance for Africa – WWS for Africa”), implemented by the SSPU, aims to establish and scale up wastewater surveillance systems for environment and public health purposes across Africa.
• This initiative will build capacity, enable knowledge exchange, and raise awareness on wastewater surveillance systems for ecosystem and public health, involving all sub-regions of Africa. The Senior Wastewater Surveillance Expert will work under direct supervision and guidance of a Programme Management Officer responsible for wastewater at UNEP and the Project Management Officer responsible for the implementation of the wastewater surveillance in Africa project.

Qualifications/special skills

• Master’s degree in public health, environmental health, wastewater, or another related field is required. PhD degree in public health, environmental health, wastewater, or another related field is highly desired.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in wastewater-surveillance is required, within the 5 years of relevant experience in policymaking, assessments, designing and implementing roadmaps for wastewater surveillance is highly desirable Familiarity with the African context and experience working on wastewater and environmental surveillance projects in African countries is highly desirable.
• Experience in capacity building and knowledge sharing activities in the field of wastewater surveillance and environmental monitoring is desirable
• Proven record of at least 3 scientific publications or technical advice on wastewater surveillance Experience within the UN system or other international organizations in wastewater surveillance is highly desirable, along with strong strategic, communication, and interpersonal skills