This position funded with General Temporary Assistance funds under the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation (RPTC, Section 23 of the Regular Budget), and the incumbent will serve as the Regional Adviser for housing, urban development, forests and forest industry.
This temporary position is initially available from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2023, and is subject to further approvals by the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD) of the Department of Management, Strategy, and Policy Compliance (DMSPC).
The incumbent reports directly to the D1, Chief of Forestry, Land, and Housing Division (FLHD).
Within the delegated authority, the Environmental Affairs Officer is responsible to:
- Provide technical and policy advice and expertise to governments of beneficiary countries on national or sectoral development strategies, programmes and policies in urban development, housing, land management, forest and forest products;
- Undertake capacity-building activities (seminars, workshops and training courses) to assist beneficiary countries to accede to and implement UNECE legal instruments, norms and standards in urban development, housing, land management, forest and forest products;
- Assist governments in formulating and implementing field projects in urban development, housing, land management, forest and forest products, including those of multisectoral and/or transboundary nature;
- Undertake resource mobilization, to leverage additional funding for regional advisory services under subprogramme 7 (Forests and the forest industry) and subprogramme 8 (Housing, land management component only) of the RPTC;
- Undertake cross-sectoral role for 3-4 countries of the 17 programme countries (countries within the Resident Coordinator System which are in the ECE region of work) working closely with the Resident Coordinators (RCs) and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs), including working on new programmatic opportunities and proposing new joint project initiatives with resident UN agencies.
- Serve as the primary link between the normative and analytical work of the Division and operationalizing the norms and standards within the 17 UN programme countries.
- Facilitate and support the development of institutional frameworks in support of subregional / national cooperation among UNECE member States;
- Promote sharing of experience and identifying of best practices in urban development, housing, land management, forest and forest products;
- Advise the Chief of Division on technical cooperation needs of countries with economies in transition in urban development, housing, land management, forest and forest products;
- Establish and maintain regular contacts with relevant counterparts from national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations, regional, sub-regional organizations and development banks, permanent missions, UN funds and programmes and specialized agencies, development agencies of donor countries, as well as with business community;
- Manage subprogramme 7 (Forests and the forest industry) and subprogramme 8 (Housing, land management component only) of the RPTC.
- Manage the budget of the relevant subprogramme (subprorgramme 7 Forests and the forest industry; subpprogramme 8 Housing, land management component only) of the RPTC as well as extra-budgetary resources;
- Coordinate technical cooperation activities with other Regional Advisors inter alia through the Working Group on Technical Cooperation (WGTC) at the Secretariat level
- Contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) processes at the country level, and the United Nations Special Programme for Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) at the subregional level.
Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of the UN and its specialized agencies, funds and programmes. Good knowledge of the UNECE Region and of the economic and environmental problems specific to the 17 programme countries. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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.
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.
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in urban studies, geography, environmental studies, forestry, economics, social affairs, or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in housing, land management, and forests or forest industry is required.
Experience of all aspects of project/programme management and resource mobilization is required.
Experience with international organizations, development banks, or development agencies is desirable.
Experience in the UNECE Region and with the economic problems specific to the 17 programme countries is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Russian is a working language of ECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required and knowledge of Russian is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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.
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.
• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2023. 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.
• 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 appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, and extension of the mandate.
Aux termes du paragraphe 3 de l’Article 101 de la Charte des Nations Unies, la considération dominante dans le recrutement du personnel doit être la nécessité d’assurer à l’Organisation les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. Ne seront pas retenues les candidatures des personnes qui ont commis des violations du droit international des droits de l’homme, des violations du droit international humanitaire, des actes d’exploitation, d’atteintes ou de harcèlement sexuels, ou au sujet desquelles il existe des raisons plausibles de croire qu’elles ont été impliquées dans la commission de tels actes. L’expression « exploitation sexuelle » désigne le fait d’abuser ou de tenter d’abuser d’un état de vulnérabilité, d’un rapport de force inégal ou de rapports de confiance à des fins sexuelles, y compris mais non exclusivement en vue d’en tirer un avantage pécuniaire, social ou politique. On entend par « atteinte sexuelle » toute atteinte physique de nature sexuelle commise par la force, sous la contrainte ou à la faveur d’un rapport inégal, ou la menace d’une telle atteinte. Le harcèlement sexuel s'entend de tout comportement déplacé à connotation sexuelle raisonnablement propre ou de nature à choquer ou humilier, lorsqu'il entrave la bonne marche du service, est présenté comme une condition d'emploi ou crée au lieu de travail un climat d'intimidation, d'hostilité ou de vexation, et lorsque ce comportement est assez grave pour justifier le licenciement de son auteur. La candidature de personnes qui ont commis des infractions autres que des infractions mineures au code de la route ne sera pas retenue.
Sera dûment prise en considération l'importance d'un recrutement effectué sur une base géographique aussi large que possible. Aucune restriction ne sera imposée par l'Organisation à l'accès des hommes et des femmes, dans des conditions égales, à toutes les fonctions, dans ses organes principaux et subsidiaires. Le Secrétariat de l'Organisation des Nations Unies est un espace non-fumeurs.
La considération dominante dans l’engagement, la mutation ou la promotion du personnel est la nécessité de s’assurer les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. En acceptant une offre d’engagement, les membres du personnel sont soumis(es) à l’autorité du Secrétaire général, qui peut leur assigner l’une quelconque des tâches ou l’un quelconque des postes de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, conformément à l’alinéa c) de l’article 1.2 du Statut du personnel. Dans ce contexte, tous les membres du personnel recrutés sur le plan international sont tenus de changer de fonctions périodiquement à l’intérieur d’un même lieu d’affectation ou dans un autre lieu d’affectation, dans les conditions fixées par le Secrétaire général.
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