Liaison Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This post is located in UNEP, Governance Affairs Office at the Nairobi duty station. Within delegated authority of the Director, and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of the Governance Affairs Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Ensuring efficient relationship and communication with Permanent Representatives, as well as efficient preparation and conduct of meetings of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR), and related bodies.
• As a member of the Governance Affairs Office, providing major support to the Deputy Director of the Governance Affairs Office in enhancing UNEP’s relationship and communication with governments, ensuring the smooth and efficient preparation, conduct and follow-up of meetings of UNEP’s policy-making organs and their subsidiary bodies, including UNEA, the Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) and the CPR.
• Providing major inputs for the organizing and convening of the meetings of the CPR, including its Sub-committees and Working Groups by:
  • preparing the background documentation required for all the above meetings and providing inputs to the preparation of the agendas and scripts for the Chair;
  • preparing the minutes of the CPR meetings; Sub-committee meetings and other related meetings;
  • following up a variety of requests from Permanent Representatives on issues such as the implementation of UNEA decisions and UNEP’s programmes, and advising the Deputy Director on specific follow-up actions;
  • In consultation with the appropriate UNEP Offices, preparing official correspondence and online information to Governments, intergovernmental organizations and others on a variety of issues (e.g. programme areas, procurement costs, UNEP languages requirements).
• Servicing the sessions of the UNEA by:
  • Developing the invitation, agenda, structure and documentation for the UNEA and OECPR sessions with the Deputy Director of the Governance Affairs Office;
  • Determining and facilitating with the Deputy Director and other senior UNEP officials, the participation and registration to the sessions of the UNEA and the OECPR, including issues relating to UN protocol and visa facilitation;
  • Monitoring and overseeing the overall production of UNEA documents and the arrangements for the necessary facilities, meeting rooms, sound technicians, hospitality;
  • During the sessions of UNEA, preparing substantive notes for the Deputy Director which will support the conduct of the proceedings of the plenary sessions and those of the various committees and working groups;
  • Coordinating and providing inputs to UNEA follow-up actions, including highly complex and sensitive policy and programme issues;
  • Performing other duties such as analyzing and summarizing for the Deputy Director comments, views and other substantive inputs from governments on the UNEA decisions.
• Coordinating with the Deputy Director, the preparation of relevant briefings for UNEP senior management, including regarding official visits of the Executive Director to various Member States of the UN and government visits to UNEP. Identifying follow-up actions based on the ED’s mission reports and providing inputs to ensure that necessary actions are taken.
• Undertaking research on specific issues (environmental, political, institutional, etc.) at the request of the Deputy Director.
• Representing the Deputy Director in his/her absence, at diplomatic functions organized by the UNEP governing organs.
• Coordinating the gathering and consolidation of relevant information relating to the UNEP governing bodies on environmental activities in various countries as well as the updating of the country files.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Proven ability to coordinate and manage high level forums; knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to multilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable development. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems relating to international governance. Ability to communicate clearly with representatives from governments, civil society and international organizations, including through online tools and official correspondence. Thorough knowledge of rules, procedures and practices of the United Nations systems or equivalent international organizations. 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.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all "clients" and seek their point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships; identifies clients' needs and provide solutions; monitors the clients' environment and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timelines for delivery of products or services to clients.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, environmental law, international law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (preferably in communications or a related field) in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in international relations, governance and negotiations are required.
• Experience in liaison between governments and international inter-governmental organizations on sustainable development issues is required.
• Experience in researching and drafting of official reports and correspondence for inter-governmental organizations is desirable.
• Experience in policies, programmes and governing structures of international organizations is desirable.
• Experience in the application of rules and protocols of international organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 29 February 2020, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

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.

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.

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.

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 professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.