Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Kinshasa, in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Environmental Affairs Officer reports to the Director of Mission Support.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Mission Support, the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for managing the Environmental Unit and for coordinating and managing actions on environmental issues in the mission, chiefly establishing, implementing, monitoring and revising as necessary the Environmental Management System (EMS), in accordance with the Department of Field Support (DFS) Environment Strategy. The duties listed below are part and parcel of this task on the DFS EMS implementation in the mission: Policy and Guidance / Planning • Support the Director in implementing the DPKO/DFS environmental policy and draft relevant specific guidance for the mission (including directives, Annual Mission Environmental statement, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.). • Coordinate the development of and monitor the implementation of the MEAP, including data collection and reporting. • Produce the mission’s Environmental Action Plan (EAP). • Coordinate and manage the Environmental Action Planning and Performance of the Mission in the eAPP platform • Coordinate the annual development of mission’s Environmental Action Plan (MEAP) with relevant sections and liaise with data owners to ensure that the mission’s Environmental Performance and Risk Management System is completed and submitted. • Produce the Environmental Emergency Preparedness Plan with relevant offices. Management of Environmental Unit • Manage/supervise the environmental unit of the mission. • Oversee the administration and recruitment of personnel of the environmental unit. • Provide regular reports to MHQ on ongoing projects as well as new requirements for the Sector, implementing feedback received from MHQ. Environmental Monitoring and Risk Management • Undertake regular environmental inspections in all mission’s sites as well as contractors’ disposal sites if any, identifying in priority potential risks and possible improvement of performance, provide recommendations accordingly. • Conduct environmental assessments and surveys of operations in the mission, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in liaison with relevant sections. • Produce the mission’s Environmental Baseline Study (EBS), if no such study has been done, or update existing EBS, as necessary. • Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon at the mission, including, for example, a list of potentially hazardous installations within the mission (e.g., petrol station, warehouse storing flammables) in cooperation with fire marshals or other staff at the mission designated to deal with emergencies. • liaise with relevant sections and Military and Police Environmental Focal points to get a regular update on inventory of hazardous substances. • Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, and other environment-related incidents. • Submit periodic reports on environmental issues at the mission, to the Director of Mission Support including policy compliance status reports as required by DFS • Recommend to the Director of the Director of Mission Support to undertake such measures as may be required to prevent or mitigate environmental problems • Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies, and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the mission. Awareness and Training / Mainstreaming • Promote awareness of environmental issues. • Provide an environmental briefing to all mission personnel including police and military contingents during their induction training. • Mainstream environment into mission-level SOPs, and other relevant guidance and processes. • Engage with contractors, in close coordination with contract management colleagues, on responsibilities when relevant. Coordination and Partner Relations • Liaise on environmental issues with local authorities and the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies present in the country or region hosting the mission, as well as regional organizations and diplomatic community when relevant. • Carry out any other tasks required to support the DPKO/DFS Environmental Policy for UN Field Missions, and the environmental objectives of the mission as directed by the Director of Mission Support

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: In-depth understanding of environmental issues, with a particular knowledge on environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment. Proven ability to organize and service intergovernmental bodies and technical meetings. Knowledge of methodologies for project planning, evaluation and oversight of environmental compliance is required. 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 ensures 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly. 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

Advanced university degree (Master͛s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, International Relations, Communication, International Development or a similar related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with an additional two (2) 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the environmental management field with a national government/administration is required. Experience in a large firm or international organization is required. Experience of coordination of environmental management and representation in interagency network is desirable. Experience in evaluation and oversight of environmental compliance is required Experience in project planning is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and ‘knowledge’ of French is ‘desirable’.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the Environmental Affairs Officer, P4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the Environmental Affairs Officer, P4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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. 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.

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.