Secretary of the Board at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Department/Office:United Nations Environment Programme

Posting Period:09 August 2021 – 17 September 2021

Job Opening Number:21-Administration-UNEP-159888-R-Nairobi (X)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

The incumbent will report to the Executive Director through the Deputy Executive Director, and within delegated authority the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

1. Being responsible for discharging the Executive Director’s responsibilities at meetings of the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP (UNEA) and its subsidiary organs, in particular, the Committee of Permanent Representatives and ensuring that UNEP’s vision is given maximum support.
2. Being responsible for the enhancement of UNEP’s engagement in and support to relevant inter-governmental processes, including by liaising with Governments, Intergovernmental Organizations, relevant UN agencies, accredited Non-Governmental Organization and relevant Civil Society Organizations and ensuring that smooth communication, reporting lines and procedures between UNEP and Governments are maintained in the context of UNEP’s intergovernmental processes.
3. Being responsible for enabling the President of UNEA, the Chairperson of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the Chairpersons of their subsidiary bodies, to discharge their responsibilities as presiding officers and ensuring the smooth organization and efficient conduct of meetings.
4. Represent the Executive Director at meetings with Nairobi-based senior government officials to promote, negotiate support and cooperate on UNEP’s policy and programmes.
5. Prepare and coordinate documentation for and records of all meetings of UNEP’s mandatory policy-making organs and their subsidiary bodies drawing on the substantive elements and contributions provided by the relevant UNEP Division.
6. Manage and coordinate all UNEA follow-up actions in close coordination with the relevant UNEP Divisions.
7. Provide the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director with appropriate background information and guidance on inter-governmental affairs prior to meetings with visiting officials from Governments and missions.
8. Promote Major Groups and Stakeholders engagement in the work of UNEP’s policy making organs and supervise the activities of UNEP’s Civil Society Unit in line with Rio+20 mandates.
9. Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his/her supervision.
10. Oversee the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Secretariat of the Governing Bodies, including the preparation of budgets, the reporting on performance, the evaluation of staff performance, and the management of human and financial resources.
11. Perform any other duty as may be assigned.

Competencies

1. PROFESSIONALISM: Expert knowledge of intergovernmental processes, knowledge of conference services and ability to provide policy advice; knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations. 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.
2. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Proven ability to plan and organize work. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agree 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.
3. COMMUNICATION: Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions. Effective communication skills, both oral and written, ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff; ability to communicate management decisions; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. 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 keeping people informed.
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 improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
5. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: 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 need 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.

Education

Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in political sciences or environmental sciences, international relations, economics or related. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

1. A minimum 15 years of progressively responsible work experience, in the field of international relations, policy and sustainable development is required.
2. Experience in liaising with senior government officials and other stakeholders, in conference servicing and management as well as in undertaking follow-up actions to meetings, is required.
3. Responsible work experience in managing conferences in an international setting, is required.
4. Work experience in policies and procedures at the UN or similar international Organizations is desirable.