Vacancy at UNEP - Regional Programme Officer

Job and Vacancy - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental law and policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) of UNEP/DEPI in Bangkok, and is available for a period of one year, with a possibility of extension.

VACANCY NOTICE NO	: NA-09-51
ORGANIZATION	: UNEP/DEPI - ROAP
DUTY STATION	: Bangkok
FUNCTIONAL TITLE	: Regional Programme Officer (Project    Funded)
GRADE	: P-4
POST NUMBER	: 2009-NFL-5060-2667-2632-1102
DURATION	: 1 Year (with possible extension)
CLOSING DATE	: 6 October 2009

Duties and Responsibilities :

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director, Regional Office Asia Pacific (ROAP), and in coordination with the Deputy-Director, Division Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI), the incumbent will be responsible for initiating, developing and coordinating the regional delivery of the Ecosystem Management Programme (EMP) in Asia and Pacific countries, including the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) Programme.

He/she will work in close collaboration with various staff of DEPI in the field of EMP and REDD. Specifically the incumbent will perform the following duties :

Coordinate the development and implementation of the Ecosystem Management Programme in Asia Pacific :

• In coordination with the Global EMP Coordinator (Nairobi) and DEPI’s Chief ofthe Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit, review regional and country-level programming and activities;
• In consultation with the Global EMP Coordinator develop initiatives with DEWA, DELC and other partners on the analysis of EMP needs at sub-regional and national levels;
• Identify technical opportunities, develop project proposals and establish funding strategies;
• Establish possible linkages of EMP programming with the five other subprograms of UNEP;
• Assist with identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support;
• Supervise relevant staff on EMP initiatives managed through ROAP;
• Assist with the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation of UNEP’s EMP activities;
• Network with other organizations to design and promote linkages and partnerships on EMP;
• Coordinate support to countries to develop national policies and action plans on ecosystems services and management plans;
• Participate in EMP programme meetings, teleconferences, workshops, retreat, strategic planning exercises in the region; Prepare semi annual progress reports;
• Keep EMP global Coordinator informed on trends and issues with Ecosystem services in the region.

Support the development and implementation of the UNEP’s components of the UN-REDD Programme in Asia Pacific:

• Contribute to the organization, participate and report on country programme scoping missions, and identify activities and roles for UNEP
• Assist with programme formulation, inception, contracting through ROAP, and start up of UNEP’s components of national joint programmes including development of work plans;
• Assist with the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation of UNEP’s component activities;
• Liaising, with other REDD related initiatives to ensure UN-REDD Programme national joint programmes contribute to the development of nationally-owned REDD programme;
• Prepare semi-annual progress statements on the implementation status of the UN REDD Programme in pilot countries (UNEP parts);
• Contribute to establishing and maintaining contact with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, private sector, scientific institutions;
• Collaborate with FAO and UNDP at the regional level;
• Participate in UN-REDD Programme meetings, teleconferences, workshops, retreats, strategic planning exercises in the region;
• Through DEPI’s Climate Change and Forests Senior Programme Officer, work with the UNREDD Technical Secretariat;
• Provide comments, inputs and review UN-REDD Programme documents;
• Assist with the development of communication and knowledge sharing materials and exchange between UN-REDD Programme national pilot countries and the global UN REDD Programme initiatives.

Corporate responsibilities Contribute to EMP relevant PAG reviews :

• Contribute to knowledge management of DEPI;
• Attend to relevant meetings in the region;
• Represent DEPI and ROAP on relevant fora on EMP.

Competencies :

Professionalism : Demonstrated professional competency in the field of forest management, coupled with hands on experience in policy making and policy development processes at national regional and global levels with ability to make strategic direction recommendations to foster cooperation with partners for delivery of the UN-REDD and ecosystem management programme.

Familiarity or exposure to implement national projects and mainstream UNEP programme objectives into national planning processes. Planning and Organizing: Demonstrated planning and organizational skills to handle multiple environmental issues related to UN-REDD and ecosystem management and to work well under strict deadlines.

Communication : High quality communication skills in English, both written and oral are essential. Ability to convey messages/ideas in a clear, concise style, both orally and in writing to various audiences. Ability to develop networks at all levels is desirable.

Creativity : Innovative thinking, to develop tools and action plans to assist governments in the

formulation of environmental policies for sustainable environmental management practices.

Qualifications and Experience :

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters’ or equivalent) in natural resources management, environmental sciences or a related field. A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience :

A minimum of seven years of experience in environment programme/project management, some of which at the international level, in a wide range of terrestrial, wetland, coastal and marine subjects.

Management of field-based activities an asset. Experience in forest management is required.

Languages:

English and French are the official languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised,

fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an

asset. Other Skills

Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Project, e-mail, internet) are required.

Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. See UN website

http : www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. All applications to be sent to the following address on or before the deadline of 6 October 2009. Applicants should send a completed United Nations P.11 or Galaxy Personal History Form together with a covering letter of one to two pages summarizing how they meet the requirements of the job to:

Chief, Recruitment and Classification Section Human Resource Management Service

United Nations Office at Nairobi, (UNON) P.O. Box 67578 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Email: recruitment@unon.org

UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the email address above.

PLEASE QUOTE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO.: NA-09-51

(Applications without Correct Vacancy Number will not be Considered)