ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe post is located in the Transboundary Cooperation section of the Environment Division (ENV) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent reports to the P4 Environmental Affairs Officer. The broad aim of UNECE's environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda. The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) aims to ensure the sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general supervision of the P5, Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section, with the guidance of the P4, Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), and the direct supervision of the P4, Environmental Affairs Officer, the incumbent will support the implementation of the programme of work under the Water Convention, in particular its programme area on “Promoting an integrated and intersectoral approach to water resources management at all levels”, by supporting the planning and implementation of activities under extrabudgetary projects in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asian countries. The main objective of the work is to improve the management of water resources, in particular of transboundary waters in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, by strengthening water governance at the national and transboundary levels through National Policy Dialogue (NPD) and Regional Policy Dialogue processes, and supporting the application of the water-food-energy-ecosystem nexus approach, including the operationalization of nexus solutions and investments and the development of regional/basin level strategies, to foster transboundary cooperation. The incumbent will among others support implementation of the project “Regional mechanisms for the low-carbon, climate resilient transformation of the energy-water-land nexus in Central Asia”. The position will require frequent travel to Central Asia. In particular, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties. Support the National and Regional Policy Dialogue process with a focus on intersectoral and transboundary cooperation - Support the work of national Steering Committees and regional steering bodies which guide National and Regional Policy Dialogues (NPDs), including the technical and substantial organization of meetings - Support the preparation and implementation of the national and regional workplans - Produce and deliver substantive presentations/reports - Work closely with national authorities to provide technical and policy advice on a broad range of issues related to water- food-energy-ecosystems nexus and governance, intersectoral and transboundary cooperation, effective resources planning, and climate adaptation and mitigation. - Support the work of government-appointed rapporteurs and consultants to the secretariat, interns and other resource persons in the drafting of legislation, strategies, assessments, research studies and background papers - Contribute substantively to the policy packages, regional and basin strategies and other activities developed in the framework of the projects - Plan and organize, in cooperation with international and national partners and including both substantial and logistical arrangement, capacity building events to strengthen water - food-energy-ecosystems nexus and governance and integrated water resources management at the national, transboundary and regional levels - Develop training modules at national and regional level - Participate and represent UNECE in project meetings or in related meetings - Plan and develop documents and publications - Identify and coordinate interaction with programmes of the ECE secretariat, UN organizations, UN-Water, other relevant international governmental and non-governmental organizations, and private sector organizations; exchange information with these organizations. Support to the management and development of the projects - Support his/her supervisor in administrative and financial management of the extrabudgetary projects - Arrange consultancy contracts, grant agreements and other needed contracts to carry out activities - In collaboration with supervisors, draft project reports to donors according to project documents, and prepare budget proposals - In collaboration with supervisors, prepare project proposals to donors and participate in other fund raising activities - Provide information required by UN organizations, donors and other partners General - Perform other related duties as required and assist the rest of the Convention’s secretariat to implement the programme of work under the Water Convention and the Protocol on Water and Health, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services - Represent the UNECE secretariat at international meetings and be willing to travel as required - Provide input to UNECE senior management in his/her field of expertise as requested and required - Draft publications, press releases public relations bulletins and other communication material - Publish information on the Convention’s website and keep the webpages on the projects updated - Undertake on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of and ability to apply concepts in the area of environmental affairs or water management, in particular supporting intersectoral cooperation through the application of the nexus approach. Ability to write documents and reports, undertake research, analyse data and make recommendations. Professional competence in and knowledge of relevant multilateral environmental agreements and policies. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in environmental management, science, engineering or 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international levels in the areas related to water resources management or environmental management is required. Experience in managing projects on intersectoral cooperation is required. Experience in servicing multi-stakeholder processes and meetings is desirable. Experience providing policy and technical advice on water or environmental issues to national authorities is desirable. Professional experience in countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required and fluency in Russian is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeAt 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. • This post is funded by project funds. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval and extension of the mandate. • This position is temporarily available from 15 March 2025 for an initial period of 364 days. 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. • 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. 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.