REGIONAL ADVISER (Environmental Affairs)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Environment Division at UNECE. The Regional Adviser will work under the direct supervision of the D-1, Director of the Division and the overall guidance of Deputy Executive Secretary and the Executive Secretary. The Regional Adviser acts as a primary focal point for environmental governance matters for the 17 UNECE programme countries, and is a cross-sectoral focal point for UNECE with the Resident Coordinator Offices of three programme countries, and with the respective UN Country Teams. The Environment Division is mandated to improve environmental governance and performance for safeguarding the environment and health. The services of the Regional Adviser aim to ensure the provision of high-level technical expertise in the areas of environmental governance, the transfer of knowledge from UNECE to Governments on policy-related issues and development strategies and the formulation. The Regional Adviser engages with the Resident Coordinators (RCs) and the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) to maximise the impact of country-level and subregional technical cooperation, in support of the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) and its results groups. The UNECE Technical Cooperation Strategy serves as a general framework for planning and implementing UNECE technical cooperation activities including RPTC. This temporary job opening is available until 31 December 2026, subject to funding availability. ResponsibilitiesThe incumbent: • Provides policy advice to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in UN programme countries in UNECE region upon their request, including through development of studies and analyses, on environmental governance and performance, development and implementation of environmental legislation and policies and strengthening implementation of UNECE’s Multilateral Environmental Agreements. • Monitors, studies and analyzes the trends, strategies and best practices on environmental governance, provides guidance on improved response to environmental challenges, and prepares policy advisory notes and concepts to inform governments as well as feed into the intergovernmental process. • Contributes to the design/redesign of national policies and strategies upon requests from UN programme countries in UNECE region countries for improved environmental governance and for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or other relevant international norms and standards. • Design and develop capacity development programmes, projects and activities at national and regional levels and contributes to implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting on these initiatives. • Monitors implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Makes substantive contributions to /regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, colloquia, relevant UNSDCF result groups, and other training events, including proposals concerning agenda topics, possible participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.. • Directly engages in UNECE’s resource mobilization in the area of environmental governance with a focus on programme countries with a view to increase extra-budgetary funding and joint programming. • Establishes and nurtures close relationships with various stakeholders in view of creating partnerships – including but not limited to the UN agencies, Multilateral Development Banks, the major bilateral donors, the European Union as well as relevant academic and non-governmental organizations – both to support mobilization of resources and to nurture an active network on the environmental governance. • Assumes other tasks in the area of expertise and in line with capacity development guidance and technical cooperation strategy as requested by the supervisor. • Develops and updates training materials for the areas covered in capacity development activities for the use by different stakeholders. • Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Liaises with relevant professional networks and makes relevant external capacity development resources available to UNECE. • Provides inputs for the normative and advocacy functions of the Division based on the capacity development expertise. Expected outputs: • Written outputs (mission reports, policy papers, technical notes etc.) of sound and innovative advice to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in programme countries. • The advisory services provided will cover a wide range of issues, including developing strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis in the best interest of clients and/or, as appropriate of the organization. • Other expected outputs include, as appropriate, policy recommendations, complex papers, analytical reports, toolkits, guidance notes, project proposals, and, upon request, substantive sections of reports and studies, publications, etc. Competencies• Professionalism: In general: a) Shows pride in work and achievements; b) demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; c) is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; d) is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; e) shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; f) remains calm in stressful situations; g) taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. In particular, UNECE is looking for staff with the following technical competence: 1) a strong commitment to high-level technical expertise with capacity building in environmental governance; 2) proven ability in preparing robust project proposals; 3) familiarity with the policies, programmes and activities of potential donors, including member states, UN funds and programmes, global funds, International Financial Institutions etc.; 4) familiarity with concepts and approaches related to capacity development and conversant with Result-based Budgeting/Result-based Management (RBB/RBM) approaches and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches; 5) proven ability to be a broker of knowledge and brokering issues close to UNECE normative mandates; 6) proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the development process; 7) proven ability in mobilizing resources. • Planning and Organizing: a) Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; b) identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; c) allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; d) foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; e) monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; f) uses time efficiently. • Client Orientation: a) Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; b) establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; c) identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; d) monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; e) keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; f) meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in environmental sciences or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the area of environmental affairs is required. At least four (4) years of professional experience in advisory work in developing countries, including transition countries is desirable. Experience in international technical cooperation and capacity development is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Russian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).