Org. 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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office helps to implement UNEP's programs by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental, challenges, opportunities and emergencies. The position deal with the Climate Change sub-programme, which focuses on strengthening the abilit of countries, particularly developing countries, to integrate climate change responses into national development processes. The post is located in Panama City duty station. Under the direct supervision and within delegated authority of the Regional Director the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Policy •Serves as a senior policy officer, advising UNEP, and particularly the Subprogramme Coordinator for Climate Change, on overall policy direction and country needs in the region that require UNEP attention. •Serves as the primary UNEP focal point in the region on capacity building and access to technology in the area of climate change; keeps abreast of, analyses and reports on latest developments related to climate change issues; liaises with other UN specialized agencies, local non-governmental organizations, national research institutes, relevant conventions etc. •Prepares strategies on the environmental aspects of UNEP's regional climate work; organizes follow-up work in the region, including interagency technical review meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues; ensures the implementation of recommendations emanating from relevant reports 2. Coordination •Coordinates the regional input into UNEP's programming related to capacity building support and access to technology within climate change; ensures necessary support (e.g. staff,funding, specialized equipment, supplies etc.); prepares situation reports to the international community. •Coordinates UNEP's work in the region, in collaboration with the relevant UNEP division(s) and the Subprogramme Coordinator for climate change, to help countries build capacity in the area of climate change and to facilitate access to climate change friendly technologies, by working through partnerships with key actors to catalyse support to move countries, at their request, onto climate-resilient and low emission pathways for sustainable development and human well-being in a manner that also maximizes these countries' abilities to manage ecosystems for climate mitigation; develops region and country-specific recommendations based on the analysis of pertinent information. •Facilitates a coordinated approach in the region in the area of capacity building and technology transfer in climate change and assists in the integration of climate change considerations in the development and implementation of national and regional development strategies within the UN system for international assistance; advises on the proper use and spending of related donor contributions, channelled through UN system-wide efforts. •Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting on UNEP's role in capacity building and access to technology within the region. 3. Partnerships •Establishes and maintains contacts with counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in relevant MEA Secretariats, other UN specialized agencies, local non-governmental organizations, national research institutes, relevant conventions etc.; ensures appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside of the UN system, as it relates to climate change related matters. •Organizes and participates in relevant work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on climate change related issues. •Establishes strong partnerships with UN sister agencies and MEA secretariat focal points in the region, as well as external partners to leverage capacity building support and facilitate access to technology on climate change issues, particularly with and in support of the climate-related MEAs. 4. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. 5. Perform other duties as required

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge in desk research and analytical skills, combining communication and good understanding on sustainable development issues and results based management; Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the elaboration of theories of change and to results-based management and budgeting; Is able to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; Is able to assist with data collection using various methods. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including monitoring and evaluation of programmes / projects; Is able 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; Observes deadlines and achieving results; persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. COMMUNICATION: Good communication skills, written and spoken as well as ability to draft or edit a variety of written reports including publications, summaries, concept notes and briefing notes. Ability to ask questions for clarification and interest in having two-way communication; openness in sharing information and in keeping people informed. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) environment, development or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first university degree with a combination of two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in the field of Climate Change is required. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations. Working experience in Latin America and the Caribbean rgion as well as previous experience with the UN or similarr international organization's is desirable A minimum Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics, corporate monitoring and reporting tools is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and in Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: "Fluency'' equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until December 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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 or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. 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 "Contact Us" 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

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.