Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Resources Management Section (RMS) of the Sustainable Energy Division (SED) of the Economic Commission for Europe, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the P5, Chief of Section, Resources Management Section, and the general supervision of the D1, Chief of Service, Sustainable Energy Division. This position is temporarily available for a period of four months, with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Supporting the implementation of the project “Strengthening national capacities of UNECE member States to reduce coal mine methane (CMM) emissions from active and abandoned coal mines and to measure and manage methane emissions across the natural gas value chain”; and for carrying out concrete, result-oriented activities that are to be developed under the project with the active participation of UNECE member States, representatives from the energy, business and financial sectors, civil society, international organizations, independent experts and academia. Economic or sector analysis: • Monitors economic developments and trends in methane management from extractive activities, and transformation of the energy sector in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and identifies recurrent and emerging issues of concern to the United Nations and UNECE member States and opportunities for enhanced application of UNECE’s Best Practice Guidances related to methane management, in particular coal mine methane and abandoned mine methane, to facilitate attainment of the 2030 Agenda. • Designs and conducts studies related to addressing methane emissions resulting from fossil fuel production, conversion and consumption, including the social and environmental aspects of the problem, and drafts resulting reports. • Explores the existing methane monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) and mitigation resources in the gas sector. • Develops draft policy recommendations pertaining to methane management from extractive activities, and transformation of the fossil-based energy sector. • Formulates proposals for development strategies, policies and measures for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and others. • Attends international, regional, and national meetings to hold discussions with representatives of other institutions on sustainable energy and methane management and use of UNECE’s Best Practice Guidances thereon. • Organizes expert meetings, workshops, seminars, etc. on methane management from extractive activities and energy transition. • Engages with the private sector to increase its interest in, and capacity to reduce methane emissions from coal mines and to encourage its participation in international methane dialogues. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support: • Provides substantive support to Governments of the project’s beneficiary States with an aim to strengthen their national capacities to reduce coal mine methane emissions from active (CMM) and abandoned (AMM) coal mines and to measure and manage methane emissions across the natural gas value chain. • Represents the Sustainable Energy Division at international, regional and national meetings relevant to the project when required. Technical cooperation: • Designs future technical cooperation projects on methane management from extractive activities and energy transition, which can build on the results of the project under implementation, and thus further advance the Division’s work in those fields. • Undertakes missions to member States, either alone or as a participant in a diverse team, as part of the project’s implementation activities. • Conducts trainings, seminars and workshops on methane management for government officials and other stakeholders in the project’s beneficiary States. • Formulates technical modalities for the evaluation of effectiveness of the undertaken technical cooperation activities. General: • Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings to report on the project’s progress and achievements. • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the project. • Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. • Collects and analyzes methane and energy transition-related 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.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of matters related to methane management from extractive activities and energy transition. Ability to apply economic theories and concepts in different sectors of economic and sustainable development. Ability to conduct independent research on economic topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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. • 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, international affairs, or related field is required. A first-level degree degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in any field of study with two additional years of relevant work 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 an advantage.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required At least four years of progressively responsible experience in energy and methane-related research, analysis, and policy formulation is required. Experience in methane emissions mitigation is desirable. At least two years of experience in the United Nations Common System or similar international organisation is desirable. Experience working with UNECE member States is desirable. Experience in matters related to just transition of the fossil fuel-based energy sector is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

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. Knowledge of French or Russian is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• 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. • This position is temporarily available for a period of 4 months, with possibility of extension. 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. • This post is financed by extrabudgetary resources. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, and extension of the mandate. • 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.

United Nations Considerations

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.