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 Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. The Convention was adopted in Kumamoto, Japan in 2013 and came into effect in 2017. The Secretariat functions of the Convention are performed by the UN Environment. This post is located in the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention at the Geneva duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary, and the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Coordination Officer, the incumbent is responsible for science and technology activities of the Minamata Secretariat as contained in its Programme of Work and as called for by the decisions of the Conference of Parties to the Convention, and performs the following duties:
1. Leading the science and technology activities of the Minamata Secretariat:- a) Developing, implementing and evaluating science and technology activities contained in the Programme of Work; monitoring and analyzing Secretariat activities development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; ensuring follow-up actions. b) Performing consulting assignments in collaboration with Parties and all other stakeholders by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing and implementing activities with Parties and other stakeholders. c) Researching, analyzing and presenting information gathered from diverse sources. d) Coordinating policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. e) Generating survey initiatives; designing data collection tools; reviewing, analyzing and interpreting responses, identifying problems/issues and preparing conclusions. f) Organizing and preparing written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. g) Providing substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
2. Leading the science support to State Parties to the Convention, including:- a) Initiating and coordinating outreach activities; conducting training workshops, seminars, etc.; making presentations on assigned topics/activities. b) Leading and/or participating in missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
3. Leading the establishment and development of a national reporting and knowledge management tool for the Convention, including:- a) Coordinating and managing the development and operation of an online tool for national reporting and knowledge management. b) Coordinating activities related to budget, funding, project preparation, progress reports, financial statements and other related documents/reports to support national reporting and knowledge management.
4. Providing support to the substantive preparations and convening of meetings of the Conference of the Parties of the Minamata Convention.
5. Performing other related duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or another specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. 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.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
PLANNING AND 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.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in chemistry, natural sciences, environmental studies, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management is required. Experience with Multilateral Environmental Agreements in the area of chemicals and waste is highly desirable. Relevant experience in supporting science and technology activities relating to chemicals and waste, as well as science-policy interface experience at the international level is a requirement. Research experience in the field of science and technology policies, combined with coordination of multi-stakeholder expert input is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
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.
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
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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 professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
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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