Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Chief, Climate Change Adaptation Unit the consultant will perform the following tasks:
• Developing analytical framework: Review UNFCCC Secretariat technical paper on transformational adaptation to develop a framework for the core elements defining transformation versus incremental adaptation, considering current and future levels of climate change, and develop an analytical framework to apply against the UNEP set of shortlisted projects for analysis. The analytical framework may need to be refined as the analytical process advances;
• Defining transformation based on current levels of climate change: Review project progress reports for up to eight project examples that could be used as the basis for developing conclusions on how to define and measure transformational adaptation.
• The data gathering exercise should include conversations with UNEP task managers and country project teams.
• Document the success stories on transformational adaptation in a series of case studies annexed to the briefing note (process and intervention strategy); characterise livelihood, socio-economic, and governance system in those cases;

Qualifications/special skills

• Master's Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, International Development Studies or related field is required.
• At least 10 years of practical experience in climate change adaptation policy is required Knowledge of global climate change adaptation policy processes, including the UNFCCC Global Goal on Adaptation, is required.
• Experience in developing and applying analytical frameworks for evaluating adaptation measures and strategies is required.
• Experience in analyzing technical documents, progress reports, and working with project teams is required.
• national organization is desirableis desirable.

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Responsibilities

• Coordinate the monitoring and reporting process of the portfolio of UNEP initiatives, including providing quality assurance of data reported, identifying issues requiring attention in the design and implementation of the portfolio, and proposing actions to improve internal business processes and delivery of results.
• Coordinate teams across the organization to ensure UNEP's data reported meets the needs of different audiences and lead the preparation of the Quarterly Report of the UNEP Executive Director and the annual UNEP Programme Performance Report. This includes serving as the lead penholder in editing and drafting a compelling narrative based on submissions received that tells the story of UNEP’s accomplishments and progress over the designated period, for the review of UNEP’s governing body (UN Environment Assembly, Committee of Permanent Representatives),
• Lead the team developing UNEP’s Quarterly Business Review to assess organizational health through the performance of UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices and Multilateral Environment Agreement Secretariats on key indicators related to project implementation, human resources, funds utilization, donor and implementing partner management, and compliance with evaluation and audit recommendations. Provide support for the consideration of QBR reports and contribute to continual improvements in the process including through the identification of pertinent indicators and supporting datasets.
• Contribute to the design and use of better business intelligence systems, processes and tools that UNEP requires to assist teams across the organization to access and utilize the data and information they need to effectively and adaptively manage their programmes and projects.
• Coordinate teams in UNEP to strengthen staff capacities on how project implementation and supervision of their respective programmes/projects can improve impact. Lead teams to improve the design of initiatives, enabling better selection and eventual use of progress and performance data for adaptive management and ultimately better impact.
• Promote awareness and understanding of the shared responsibility for programme monitoring and reporting among all staff members through communication, training, learning and development activities.
• Contribute to strategic planning exercises for the development of Programmes of Work and the Medium-Term Strategies, as well as strategic framework documents for the UN Secretariat in New York.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in development or environment studies or related social science 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 degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management in environment or development-oriented work, working across the programme/project management cycle is required.
• Experience in drafting and editing official reports in English is required.
• Experience in data analysis and synthesis is desirable.
• Experience in the UN system or similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience in developing and implementing business review processes is desirable.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

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Responsibilities

• Develop and recommend strategies and policies concerning the implementation of the Ecosystems' Division programme of work.
• Coordinate and develop the preparation of the Ecosystems Division biennium programme of work and budget, liaising with heads of branches and chiefs of units as need be, ensuring that the proposed activities of each branch are in line with UNEP/Ecosystems Division’s overall objectives. Assist the Director in the presentation of the programme of work to UNEP Senior Management, United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), and the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) and serve as the division's focal point for programme planning, coordination, and reporting.
• Promote Ecosystems Division objectives with governments, agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and institutions. Participate in inter-agency meetings to ensure cooperation and define modalities of cooperation.
• Provide management reports to the Director including progress reports - Hold regular contacts with heads of branches and chiefs units to assess and monitor the progress made on the implementation of relevant unit objectives and brief the Director.
• Promote and establish, in close co-operation with Corporate Services Division (CSD), donor contacts to ensure financial support for Ecosystems Division activities. Evaluate the Division's needs and identify the most appropriate partners, ensuring the support of government, NGOs, and institutions.
• Scrutinize for approval of the Ecosystems' Director, project proposals from branch heads and chiefs of units, to ensure compatibility with the Ecosystems Division’s and UNEP’s overall objectives.
• Contribute to and coordinate the development of policies to ensure that the substantive work of the division is consistent with and complimentary to global/regional multilateral environmental regional/national processes.
• Overall in-charge for programme evaluation requirements and responses to audit and oversight evaluation recommendations.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Management, or a related field is required.
• 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 fifteen (15) years of progressive responsible work experience in the management of environmental or sustainable development work in a multi-cultural setting is required. Five (5) years of working experience at the international level is required.
• Three (3) years of working experience in a supervisory capacity is required.
• Experience managing the preparation of budgets, programmes of work and the management of financial resources is required.
• Experience in driving the global environmental agenda and sustainable development goals is required. Experience liaising with governments is desirable.
• Experience in resource mobilization is desirable. Experience working for the United Nations system is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.