Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Forestry, Land, and Housing Division (FLHD), at the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzwerland. the incumbent will serve as the Regional Adviser for urban forests, forests and forest industry.

This position is temporarily available from 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2024. The position is funded with General Temporary Assistance funds under the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation (RPTC) which are subject to further approvals by the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD) of the Department of Management, Strategy, and Policy Compliance (DMSPC), and the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly.

The P4 reports directly to the D1, Chief of FLHD, and serves under the general supervision of the D2, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECE.

Responsibilities

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 forests, forests, 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 forests, forests, and forest products;
– Assist governments in formulating and implementing field projects in urban forests, 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) 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 UNECE 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 forests, forests, and forest products;
– Advise the Chief of Division on technical cooperation needs of countries with economies in transition in urban forests, forests, 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) of the RPTC.
– Manage the budget of the relevant subprogramme (subprorgramme 7 Forests and the forest industry) 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.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in environmental studies, forestry, economics, international relations, 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.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in environment, forests, or forest industry is required.

Experience of all aspects of project/programme management and resource mobilization is required.

At least 5 years of 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.

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 an advantage. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

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.

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 from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024. 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.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.