Programme Management Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

This position is in the CITES Secretariat, administered by UNEP and located at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the CITES MIKE Coordinator, the MIKE Programme Officer will be responsible for providing technical support for the implementation of Results 1 and 3 of the MIKES+ Project (a four year EU funded initiative), with a focus on training, partnership issues and MIKE network initiatives, including the development and coordination of national and site-level initiatives aimed at strengthening the MIKE monitoring and capacity building activities across the network of MIKE sites, the coordination of partnership in this regard and visibility activities. He/she will also be responsible for providing management support for the overall implementation, monitoring and further development of the MIKES+ Project as it relates to Result 1 and 3, as well as providing inputs into the implementation of the MIKE Programme including its projects according to the mandate of CITES Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP18) on Trade in elephant specimens. Major duties include:

Responsibilities

• Developing and coordinating sub-regional, national and site-level initiatives aimed at strengthening the MIKE monitoring and capacity building activities across the network of MIKE sites by:
  • Developing, refining, organising and implementing mechanisms to deliver MIKE trainings and related events in participating sites and countries;
  • Liaising with range states, implementing partners and training service providers in the design of training programmes for MIKE sites, and in developing and sharing lessons learnt, best practice and training materials ;
  • Developing and supporting MIKE training programmes in countries with MIKE sites, and in developing and sharing lessons learnt, best practice and training materials to improve training across the MIKE network;
  • Further developing and coordinating implementation of the MIKE training materials, in collaboration with other CITES Secretariat responsible officers, specialist trainers and national or sub-regional wildlife training institutions as appropriate;
  • Establishing and maintaining contact with MIKE site and national focal points, relevant training service providers, specialist trainers and sub-regional wildlife training institutions.
• Participating in the implementation, monitoring and further development of the MIKES+ Project by:
  • Monitoring and analysing project implementation;
  • Communicating regularly with designated focal points in governments, implementing partners and MIKE governance structures;
  • Reviewing and preparing relevant project documents and reports;
  • Identifying problems in project implementation and issues to be addressed, proposing corrective actions and tracking their execution;
  • Coordinating activities related to project budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparing related documents/reports (work programme, programme budget, etc.).
  • Conducting field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants (training service providers and specialist trainers), government officials, partners and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc;
  • Assisting in the development of fund-raising proposals aimed at expanding MIKES+ Project and MIKE Programme initiatives to new areas, and increase the impact in existing areas;
  • Representing the CITES Secretariat at relevant national and international fora, and present the MIKES+ Project and MIKE Programme’s work and findings;
  • Assisting in the supervision of General Service Staff, field staff and consultants.
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• 3. Coordinating the MIKES+ partnership activities by:
• a) Overseeing the development and implementation of partnership arrangements for all partnership categories;
• b) Monitoring the performance of partners in accordance with partnership agreements;
• c) Providing practical advice and training on the application of MIKE protocols and formulating priority objectives for partners’ work programmes;
• d) Providing substantive support to partnership meetings and other fora, including proposing agenda items, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Implementing outreach and visibility activities for the MIKES+ Project and the MIKE Programme by:
  • Preparing newsletters, inputs for publications and other visibility materials;
  • Overseeing the further development and maintenance of the MIKE Programme website;
  • Developing other innovative activities or products designed to enhance the visibility of the MIKES+ Project and its activities, in collaboration with the CITES Secretariat and within the constraints of the project’s visibility budget;
  • Making presentations on assigned topics/activities;
  • Overseeing the work of assigned communications specialists.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated aptitude in project management, including financial management, monitoring and evaluation in international and multi-country contexts, preferably in the developing world. Good understanding of species conservation and protected area management, including law enforcement monitoring systems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Proven abilities in facilitation, project design and fund raising. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in management, environmental science, forestry or related fields. 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

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project management and administration, wildlife management, protected area management or related fields is required.
• Experience in implementing protected area support activities, especially training or other capacity building initiatives, is desirable, as is experience in working at the international level in developing countries, communications and outreach.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post. Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to a satisfactory performance review, extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the project funds.

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.

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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.

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