Job Openings at United Nations Environment Programme

Result of Service

• A report on TEEBAgriFood assessments in Mexico for both Maize and Agroforestry. The report will include final results of the integrated biophysical / assessment scenario model as well as on policy guidelines on how to integrate biodiversity into agriculture, modalities to engage private sector and existing opportunities
• Timely inputs to the National Medium-Term Development Plan for Mexico.

Work Location

Mexico City

Expected duration

12 months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organization Setting:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. The UN Environment Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative focused on "making visible the values of nature". Its objective is to recognize, demonstrate and integrate the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services, in monetary and non-monetary terms, and to promote the integration of such values in the decision making of the key actors of the public and private sectors at all levels. TEEB provides evidence to on the costs of a "Business-as-Usual" from: (i) an economic perspective, that is to say for the economy including the generation of jobs; (ii) a social perspective, to include wellbeing and human health; and (iii) an environmental approach, to ensure healthy ecosystems and their long-term benefits.

Specific work packages of TEEB project will mainly focus on the following outputs -:

• Outputs 1: recommendations for the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the policy and planning instruments of the agricultural sector are available to decision makers;
• Output 5-the experiences of the project have been systematized and are inserted in the discussion on the integration (mainstreaming) of biodiversity at national and international level.

UNEP Mexico Office and the German Cooperation-Mexico “GIZ” jointly designed an International Climate Initiative (IKI) Funded project “Mainstreaming Biodiversity into the Agricultural Sector”. This culminated into signing of the donor agreement in December 2018 between GIZ and UNEP Mexico Office. The main objective of the project is to increase the national capacity for the protection of Biodiversity and promote a more sustainable agricultural sector in the country. It is expected that both public and private actors integrate the socio-economic values, ecological and cultural aspects of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the decision-making and planning instruments of the agricultural sector in Mexico. Under this collaboration the project seeks to develop the TEEBAgriFood sectoral study based on the regions and crops which will be defined by GIZ together with the Mexican partners from the public sector and specialized agencies, such as Federal government of Mexico such as the Ministry of Agriculture (SADER) and United Nations Organization for Agriculture and Food (FAO),. GIZ Mexico, the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT) and the National Commission for Biodiversity (CONABIO).

The consultant will work as part of the Ecosystem Services Economics Unit, Land Management and Biodiversity Branch, Ecosystems division based at the UNEP Country Office in Mexico. The consultant will report to the ESE unit head and to the UNEP Mexico office head.

The objective of this consultancy is to inform decision making and public policies considerations and scenarios of the most important ecosystem services for the primary sector and demonstrate how ecosystem processes are affected by non-sustainable agricultural practices. The policy considerations should support the development of the TEEB Agri-Food and the design of policy recommendations for sustainable agriculture in Mexico,

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake the following

• Provide technical input to the agreement between the research institutions on Maize and Coffee and UNEP
• Provide technical input to the report for the Steering Committee Meeting in which:
  • the work plan for the research institutions will be communicated
  • the policy linkages to the Maize and Coffee TEEBAgriFood analyses are discussed
  • the regions in which the Coffee and Maize analyses would focus will be decided
  • specific socio-economic and biophysical ecosystem measures to be analyzed are explained
• Outcomes report of Steering Committee Meetings and communicating to institutions
• Provide technical support to the contracted institutions on:
  • Biophysical data required
  • Fill in the matrix of impacts and Economic valuation of ecosystem services along the value chains
  • specific socio-economic and biophysical ecosystem measures to be analyzed
  • Development of the scenarios to respond to policy linkages
• Provide support to the institutions in
  • the development of research outputs to directly inform policy interests of the SCM
  • the review of the Natural Capital Protocol to inform the Private Sector and AMEBIN
• Provide inputs to and review of communications materials whose target audience are decision makers and general public and are focused on;
  • Scope and regions of the assessments (coffee and maize)
  • Scenarios developed and link to policy questions
  • Results of modeling of scenarios
  • Link to private sector (capitals coalition)
• Develop report on theTEEB AgriFood Mexico process and outcomes, including:
  • Final results of the scenario modeling and the recommendations provided by the TEEBAgriFood framework
  • The engagement with country stakeholders – subnational and national level (government, civil society, research and private sector)
  • the steps necessary to implement the change:, a "Theory of Change"
  • Recommendations for TEEBAgriFood framework implementation
• Draft input into the private sector round tables e.g. work with the Capitals Coalition in the coordination of the private sector engagement. The aim is to promote the integration of the results of the private sector consultations into the TEEBAgriFood initiative.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Economics, International Affairs, International Cooperation for Development, Agriculture, Administration, Public Policies, Environmental Areas, or related fields is required. A PhD will be an added advantage.
Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in the field of economics, international affairs, public policies, international cooperation, sustainable development, agricultural and environment is required. Ddemonstrated work experience with multilateral organizations, international cooperation as well as government and private sector stakeholders is required.;
Language: English and Spanish are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in written and oral Spanish is required. Working knowledge of English will be an added advantage.

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Result of Service

A well-documented report on the integration of biodiversity in the environmental and agricultural sector in Mexico to help mainstream TEEB into all levels of government decision-making

Work Location

Mexico City

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and

Responsibilities

Organization Setting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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.

The UN Environment Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative focused on 'making visible the values of nature'. Its objective is to recognize, demonstrate and integrate the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services, in monetary and non-monetary terms, and to promote the integration of such values in the decision making of the key actors of the public and private sectors at all levels. TEEB provides evidence on the costs of a 'Business-as-Usual' from: (i) an economic perspective, that is to say for the economy including the generation of jobs; (ii) a social perspective, to include wellbeing and human health; and (iii) an environmental approach, to ensure healthy ecosystems and their long-term benefits.

Specific work packages of TEEB project will mainly focus on the following outputs -: a) Outputs 1: recommendations for the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the policy and planning instruments of the agricultural sector are available to decision makers;

b) Output 5-the experiences of the project have been systematized and are inserted in the discussion on the integration (mainstreaming) of biodiversity at national and international level.

Biodiversity is the basis of agriculture. The agricultural sector provides important benefits such as food for humans and animals, fiber for industrial and artisanal production, materials for fuel, employment and cultural cohesion. However, it is the main driver of the degradation of ecosystems, the loss of biodiversity, health externalities and greenhouse gas emissions, among others. Many of these impacts, both positive and negative, are economically invisible and do not figure in public and private decision-making. TEEB AgriFood is designed to demonstrate that the economic environment in which agricultural producers operate is subject to negative and positive externalities that cause a lack of understanding of their dependence on natural capital. The initiative seeks to demonstrate that the entire agricultural value chain (production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste) not only has an impact on the environment, but also on socio-economic well-being, particularly of small producers, on public health and food security.

UNEP Mexico Office and the German Cooperation-Mexico 'GIZ' jointly designed an International Climate Initiative (IKI) Funded project 'Mainstreaming Biodiversity into the Agricultural Sector'. This culminated into signing of the donor agreement in December 2018 between GIZ and UNEP Mexico Office. The main objective of the project is to increase the national capacity for the protection of Biodiversity and promote a more sustainable agricultural sector in the country. It is expected that both public and private actors integrate the socio-economic values, ecological and cultural aspects of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the decision-making and planning instruments of the agricultural sector in Mexico. Under this collaboration the project seeks to develop the TEEBAgriFood sectoral study based on the regions and crops which will be defined by GIZ together with the Mexican partners from the public sector and specialized agencies, such as Federal government of Mexico such as the Ministry of Agriculture (SADER) and United Nations Organization for Agriculture and Food (FAO),. GIZ Mexico, the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT) and the National Commission for Biodiversity (CONABIO).

The objective of this consultancy is to inform decision making and public policies considerations and scenarios of the most important ecosystem services for the primary sector and demonstrate how ecosystem processes are affected by non-sustainable agricultural practices. The policy considerations should support the development of the TEEB Agri-Food and the design of policy recommendations for sustainable agriculture in Mexico. The consultant will review documents in agriculture, biodiversity and sustainable development in Mexico.

The consultant shall report to the UN Environment Mexico Representative Officer in Mexico City and the TEEB coordinator and head of the Ecosystem Services Economics Unit.

1. Duties and Responsibilities: The consultant will coordinate and support the implementation of valuation and mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystems services into agriculture in Mexico under TEEB AgriFood Framework. He/She will be liaise with national stakeholders and national research institutions to conduct reports, investigations and other assessments, related to the integration of biodiversity in the environmental and agricultural sector in Mexico to help mainstream TEEB into all levels of government decision-making. The junior consultant will review, prepare and elaborate reports, investigations and other assessments, related to the integration of biodiversity in the environmental and agricultural sector in Mexico to help mainstream TEEB into all levels of government decision-making.

Specific responsibilities of the consultant include the following:

• Organize meetings and workshops related to the participation of UNEP in the implementation of the Projects i) 'Integration of Biodiversity in Agriculture in Mexico'; and ii) 'Promoting a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sector'
• Take lead in drafting meeting notes, briefings, and internal minutes for the above projects.
• Review proposals and draft an agreement/legal instrument with selected research group to conduct the TEEB study.
• Initiate drafting of project related reports such as narrative technical reports, donor reports and Financial reports.
• Drafts inputs for a wide range of documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, etc.
• Prepare and review of financial proposals in line with layed down requirements.
• Monitoring, update and Consolidates project budget/work programme with respect trust funds, grants and procurement.
• Review and analyse cost estimates and programme/project budget proposals, in line with agreed rules and procedures;
• Provide advise on programme/project managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for project budget submissions and revisions based on funds availability;
•  Serves as focal point for the coordination, monitoring and participation in a range of meetings and activities, including the preparation for meetings;

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Accountancy, Administration, Public Policies, Environmental Areas or related filed is required.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in the field of economics, administration, finance, accountancy, public policies, environmental areas or related fields is required.

Language: English and Spanish are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in written and oral Spanish is required. Working knowledge of English will be an added advantage

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Policy and Programme Division at the Nairobi Duty Station and is responsible for leading the Policy Coordination Unit. The Policy Coordination Unit guides and provides cross organizational support to the implementation of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Working with and through other UN Agencies, UNEP’s Divisions and Regional Offices, the Policy Coordination Unit promotes UNEP delivery coherence in the context of UN Reform. Under the direct supervision of the Director, and within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Provides senior policy advice to the organization’s leadership, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and intra and inter-divisional policies and procedures. Directs policy research papers, prepares corporate positions and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned programme/projects. Provides direction and sound and innovative advice on a wide range of issues, including developing policy and strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis to ensure timely and cost effective delivery of results that ensure the best interests of the organization and its member states.
• Delivers thorough well-reasoned contributions, e.g., policy recommendations, complex papers, analysis, substantive sections of reports and studies, publications, etc. Implements corrective action with respect to operational issues.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts workshops, seminars, including to develop corporate positions, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
• Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization. Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks in the field of environment and development and in particular integrating the environmental dimension into sustainable development at the national and regional levels. Ability to generate and communicate links between UN agency mandates, country delivery, the political economy and the socio-economic environment. Demonstrate ability in programme and project management in a complex environment and/or development programmes and projects. 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 & 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.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• 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 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; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
• 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; does not accept the status quo; 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; Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental policy, economics, law, public affairs, environmental science or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years (10) of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area, including at least 5 in an international setting, on intergovernmental and inter-agency affairs is required.
• Knowledge of a broad range of environment and sustainable development issues is required.
• Work experience with the Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goals implementation and experience in the UN system is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is for an initial 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 or geographical move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical moves 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.

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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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.

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.

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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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.

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