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 focus of the job is to lead the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities to enhance institutional technical capacities in the environment sector programme in support of the Saudi Arabia's National Environment Strategy, and in line with the strategic cooperation agreement between UNEP and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This position is located at UNEP Regional Office for West Asia in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under the direct supervision of the Manager, Saudi Environment Sustainability Programme(SESP), the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
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•Develop, implement and evaluate the institutional and technical capacities for environment entities in Saudi Arabia within the framework of the respective component of UNEP Saudi Programme, etc. monitor and analyze activity development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties and ensures follow-up actions.- Prepare concepts and conceptual frameworks for the establishment of systems and platforms, including environmental information and monitoring systems in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Prepare detailed structures, tasks, operational requirements and working mechanisms for these systems.
- Perform advisory and consulting assignments, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, by planning and facilitating workshops, through interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change. Research, analyze and present information on environment institutional and technical capacities and framework gathered from diverse sources.
- Coordinate and support strategy development with regard to environment sustainability, planning and management including the review and analysis of environmental issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. Generate survey initiatives; design data collection and presentation tools; review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions and recommendations.
- Organize and prepare written outputs on institutional and technical capacity building and individual, institutional and systemic levels , e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
- Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on institutional performance as well as other assigned topics and activities. Lead and participate in field missions within Saudi Arabia, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
- Coordinate activities related to budget funding for the assigned activities (component) on environment sustainability and institutions, in terms of preparation and submissions of new concepts, substantive progress reports and financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents and reports (e.g. concepts, pledging, work & budget, programme,.
- 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.
- May be assigned any other related duties.
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
COMMUNICATION: 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 and keeping people informed.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environment Management, sustainable development, science or a related field is required.
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.
Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
Possession of professional certificates in environment auditing or policy or/and project management is desirable.
Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in environment policy, sustainability, or management is required.
Experience working in government or international organizations settings providing advisory
and technical support in environment planning, management and regulations is desirable.
Work experience in the West Asia region is desirable.
A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of other official United Nations languages 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.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeAppointment against this position 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.
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.
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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.
Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.
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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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
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