Deputy Director at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This position is located in UNEP’s global headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the supervision of the Director, Communication Division, and in close consultation with the Division's Head of Operations, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Lead and coordinate UNEP’s global strategic communication at corporate and programmatic levels.
2. Supervise the Communication Division’s Section Chiefs, nurturing innovation, creativity and ambition to reach new audiences with world-class, science-based communication and advocacy that is embedded within UNEP’s programmatic work.
3. Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Communication Division’s work in the context of UNEP's Programme of Work and its Medium-Term Strategy.
4. Coordinate, manage, and administer the Communication Division’s work and budget in accordance with the organization's policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
5. Mobilize resources for the Communication Division and forge partnerships that amplify reach and impact.
6. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Competencies

1. PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of environmental issues in general and of specific areas being supervised; Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations;
2. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; 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. Communication: Solid writing skills, ability to prepare reports and/or provision of rationale with respect of key administrative decisions; Ability to communicate orally effectively.
3. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Ability to administer, supervise and direct staff; Delegates appropriately; 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.
4. 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; 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.
5. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

1. Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) in communications, public/business administration and management or in 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.

Work Experience

1. A minimum of ten years (10) of experience in journalism, communication and/or public-facing advocacy focused on the environment or other science or policy-focused profession is required.
2. Experience at the international level handling strategic communication is required.
3. Five (5) years of experience, of the ten (10) years, at a senior level leading multicultural teams is desirable.
4. Managerial experience dealing with the media and communications campaigns is desirable.
5. Relevant experience in human resources, management, administration, logistics and financial management is desirable.
6. Experience in partnership building is desirable.
7. Experience in managing a highly skilled and diverse workforce is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Initial appointment against this post is for a period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, 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.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

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 "need Help" link

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.