Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This position is located in the Coordinating Unit (CU) for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), in the Ecosystems Division at the Athens duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities
- Strategic and operational planning, implementation and monitoring:
- Supports the Coordinator in the development and execution of the strategies of the Barcelona Convention, MAP and Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development (MCSD);
- Organizes and leads the preparation and delivery of the MAP Programme of Work, ensuring the coordination, involvement and integration of the CU, Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, MCSD Members, MAP Components, and other partners;
- Coordinates the operational implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Programme of Work and projects in consistence with UNEP policies and the Contracting Parties requirements, decisions and directives, and proposes corrective actions;
- Ensures integration and coordination of the work of the MAP Components including the Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme (MEDPOL), and supports the Coordinator in supervising their Heads; e) Monitors and reports on the performance of activities and projects;
- Ensures alignment between the CU programmes and its operational and administrative performance, overseeing the work of the Administrative and Finance Unit, and developing measures to enhance the efficiency of management and operational processes by the CU and the Regional Activity Centers (RACs);
- Liaises with Governments, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs);
- Coordinates and liaises with the relevant UN bodies to ensure that the work is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals;
- Supervises staff and consultants.
- Implementation of the MAP fundraising strategy:
- Supports the Coordinator in implementing an integrated fundraising plan and priorities identified by Parties for the Secretariat and the RACs;
- Develops and implements a partnership strategy to strengthen relationships with donors and reach out to new ones; c) Keeps abreast of major developments, plans and priorities of donors to identify opportunities for cooperation.
- Coordination of the Secretariat’s information and reporting activities:
- Oversees and monitors the preparation of publications and dissemination of scientific publications, public awareness materials, and the State of the Marine and Coastal Environment reports;
- Supervises and monitors the implementation of the Barcelona Convention/UNEP-MAP Information and Communication Strategy;
- Represents UNEP/MAP and the Barcelona Convention at different fora, giving speeches and other presentations;
- Reviews documentation and ensures its highest quality and consistency of presentation and content;
- Coordinates with Secretariat staff and RACs and oversees the preparation of periodic reports;
- Supervises staff and consultants carrying out activities related to information and communication systems and ensures direct liaison with the RAC responsible for information and communication (Info-RAC) to implement relevant Contracting Parties decisions.
- Participates in the execution of the governance functions of the CU;
- Deputizes for the Coordinator, perform representative functions, and acts as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Coordinator;
- Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need;
- Performs any other relevant duties assigned.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of concepts and approaches related to the implementation of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP). Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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;
- 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;
- CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client;
- MANAGING PERFOMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly;
- 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 improvements; 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in disciplines related to environment, law, environmental management or sustainable development is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying work 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in management of marine environment related projects or programmes, preferably related to marine and coastal regions including on sustainable development is required. Experience in a regional or international environmental organizations/networks or national administration is required. Experience in diplomatic negotiations and politically sensitive matters is desirable. Experience working on partnership and resource mobilization issues in or with an international organization at a regional or sub regional level is desirable. Experience in drafting and overseeing the preparation of policy briefings, analytical reports and papers, as well as high level representation is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and knowledge of French are required. Knowledge of other UN languages and languages spoken in the Mediterranean Region 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.
Application instructions
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