Nature for Health Partnership Facilitator at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

Organizational 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Ecosystems Division engages with governments and other partners to develop and promote ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable development. This position is in Biodiversity and Land Branch.

This assignment is intended to facilitate the inception phase and partnership of the Nature for Health Multi Partner Trust Fund (the Fund). The aim of the Fund is to support evidence-based decision-making, action and capacity development to mainstream biodiversity and climate into sectoral policies and pandemic prevention strategies. It aims to achieve more holistic policy making by creating further evidence for the links between biodiversity, climate and health, as well as by working with actors on the ground to demonstrate how cross-sectoral approaches, as well as environmental dimensions, can be fully integrated to prevent future pandemics.

This assignment is intended to support UNEP's Biodiversity and Land Branch in their role as International Secretariat of the Nature for Health (N4H) Fund during its inception phase.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Biodiversity and Land Branch, with direct oversight by the Acting Chief of the Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit, the consultant will:

•  Facilitate and guide the process of collaboratively building the N4H partnership, its governance mechanism and programmatic structure
•  Facilitate Partner's meetings to consensually establish partnership roles, select participant countries, and develop program procedures and policies
•  Facilitate the development of the Fund's overall programme and first annual work plan
•  Keep discussions on track, ensuring they are productive, efficient and focused on sustainable outcomes; contribute to agenda development, presentations and activities to ensure maximum participation
•  Lead and coordinate the development of selection criteria and mechanism for the Advisory Board; facilitate Advisory Board inaugural meeting
•  Lead and coordinate the development of N4H Operations Manual, which details the governance structure, procedures and policies
•  Lead and coordinate the development of the updated N4H Terms of Reference and key components as required
•  Provide planning support for official N4H launch event and other global meetings, including on communication requirements, with partnership branding etc.
•  Lead and coordinate the development of various written reports and record keeping, as required by UNEP to carry out the duties of N4H International Secretariat
•  Lead and coordinate the development and implementation of partner, resource mobilization and private sector engagement strategies
•  Prepare a handover package for the Secretariat of the N4H Fund

Qualifications/special skills

• Required years of work experience: A minimum of 20 years of postgraduate work experience in knowledge management and organizational learning to facilitate partnership building in diverse multi-stakeholder environments is required.
• Experience facilitating high level working groups of diverse stakeholders is required.
• Experience in partnership building processes and change/process management is required;
• Experience in sustainable development work is required.
• Required field of work and where applicable, area of specialty: Partnership building processes; change/process management; sustainable development
• Required education qualifications: An advanced university degree (MSc level or higher) in the social, behavioural or management sciences is required.
• A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of advanced degree.
• Required knowledge of languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Specific Skills

• Change management and facilitation
• Multi-sectoral partnership engagement and collaboration
• Process management and programming for sustainable development
• Communication and presentation skills

Competencies

• Professionalism: 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
• 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.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.