DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT( Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science)

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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 Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science provides strategic coordination of science advice that informs the organization's decisions, policies, interventions and publications. In this capacity, the Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science performs the functions with the support of the Office of Science. The Office for Science provides timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental assessments, data, analytics, intelligence and information for policy-setting, decision- making and action planning for sustainable development. It monitors, analyses and reports on the state of the global environment, assessing policies and trends and providing support to early warning services on environmental variables and emerging environmental threats. It spearheads UN-wide monitoring and reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. This position is located in the Office of Science of the UN Environment Programme at the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will be a member of the UNEP Senior Management Team (SMT). Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science reporting to the Executive Director. Within delegated authority, Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science will be responsible for the following responsibilities Responsibilities• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Office, determine priorities, and allocate resources for the completion of outputs/results and their timely delivery, in cooperation and coordination with other UN Environment Programme divisions and offices. • Oversee activities undertaken by the Office 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 Office 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”. • Coordinate 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 Office 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. • Report 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. • Work collaboratively with Regional Offices to mobilize resources from global and regional sources for project funding. Clear 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 all UNEP Offices to support the 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. • As the Chief Scientist the Director of the Office of Science serves as a primary advisor on science: setting scientific priorities for the organisation, including advising on emerging issues and science and ensures credibility and quality of data, information and knowledge and products are aligned with organisational goals. • Lead on foresight, analysis and intelligence initiatives and delivers updates / research papers and syntheses on new and emerging scientific issues to the Senior Management Team and the organization more generally, as needed. • Perform other relevant duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the environment and development field in general and in particular in the areas of analysing the state of the global environment, providing environmental data, knowledge and expertise into early warning information and assessing environmental trends; proven ability to produce reports and papers on scientific issues; ability to review and edit the work of others. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision making and convey resulting information to management. 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. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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 improvement; 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAdvanced University Degree (Masters Degree, PhD or equivalent degree) in any of the earth sciences (geology, ecology, geography, hydrology, atmospheric science, etc), environmental sciences, biology, social sciences, environmental management, engineering, or other related area is required. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationPhD in earth or environmental science and or any related environment field is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of applied sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, environment engineering, environmental geography or environmental health 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 to policy makers 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. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.. A publication record of peer reviewed scientific articles and/or papers is desirable LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Note: \"Fluency\" equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"confident\" in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment against this position is for an initial period of 364 days and may be subject to extension. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31st May 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply:Andorra, Angola,Belize, Brunei Darussalam,China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea,Grenada, Guinea-Bissau,Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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. 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. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. 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. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.