Temporary Appointment - Environment Specialist, P-3, DFAM, Istanbul, Turkiye, #127530

UNICEF is committed to environmental and social safeguarding (ESS) and sustainability, the achievement of the latter depends on practical actions by UNICEF and its partners to prevent and mitigate the risks and impacts of our interventions on the environment, social issues, human health and children’s safe access to essential services and rights. The risk landscape in which UNICEF operates is uncertain, complex, often volatile, and continuously changing, making therefore the risk management on environmental sustainability a paramount. In alignment with our commitment, UNICEF has launched its Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) 2023 – 2030. The SCAP strives to mainstream sustainability both internally and externally; reduce emissions and environmental footprint within UNICEF, support its global network of partners to do the same, and advocate for the fulfilment of ambitious international sustainability and climate change agreements

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope.. 

The incumbent will have the following responsibilities as part of the Inclusive and Sustainable Operations (ISO) Team in DFAM’s Administrative Management Services (AMS) section and under the overall direction of the Head of Section (Common Premises & Eco Sustainability), and direct supervision and guidance of the incumbent of the position 102140, Administrative Manager, Eco Efficiency. The position will be based UNICEF Office in Istanbul/Turkey. 

How can you make a difference?

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

1. Providing support to ensure that sustainability objectives, principles, metrics, and indicators are integrated into the office management plans across global offices.

2. Support the shaping and development of organizational policies and guidance as related to sustainability particularly through the SCAP implementation.

3. Identify areas for improvements in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate neutrality, waste, air pollution, water and wastewater, as well as sustainability management and environmental governance in line with global best practices.

4. Organize and deliver trainings, presentations and workshops that focus on promoting UNICEF’s sustainability and objectives and guide global field office network on their critical role to mainstream UNICEF sustainability agenda.

5. Support the development and implementation of ambitious initiatives with a focus on identifying strategic action areas that champion the sustainability objectives and climate neutrality goals across UNICEF operations.

6. Support and strengthen communication and knowledge management to global staff to promote internal sustainability as a core value across UNICEF.

7. Actively participate in internal and external meetings, contributing insights to all discussions pertaining to UNICEF’s environmental and sustainability agendas.

8. Establish monitoring frameworks to evaluate the outcomes and impacts of sustainability initiatives including annual environmental inventory performance.

9. Promote knowledge sharing and innovation, through effective capacity building for internal and external stakeholders. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master's) in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, and/or other relevant disciplines is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience of relevant work with both national and international work experience, with specific experience in environmental impact assessment, sustainability policy/social safeguards, and projects implementation to reduce emissions is required.
• Experience in conducting research, innovation, risk assessment, data analysis and making recommendations to inform policies, improve sustainability and compliance, is required.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of environmental issues and sustainability strategies including decarbonization, net-zero and renewable energy, is required.
• Active participation in international organizations leading sustainability initiatives is considered an asset.
• Experience in conducting audit, developing tools, and providing training is considered an asset. 
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.