Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote inclusive economic, social and environmental development and support regional cooperation and integration in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

This position is located in the Office of the Chief, of the Facilities Management Unit (FMU), in the Division of Administration. The Environmental Management Officer reports to the Chief, FMU and keeps the Steering Committee informed on all aspects of the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS), a framework that helps the Organization achieve its environmental goals through consistent review, evaluation, and improvement of its environmental performance.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Facilities Management Unit and the overall guidance of the Director of the Division of Administration, the Environmental Management Officer is required to perform the following duties:

EMS implementation:
• Coordinates the implementation of the existing Environmental Management System (EMS) at the UN premises in Bangkok and ESCAP regional offices;

Monitoring and analysis:
• Monitors and analyzes the EMS development and implementation;
• Reviews relevant documents and reports;
• Identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions;
• Liaises with relevant parties, identifies and tracks follow-up actions.

EMS Governance:
• Maintains the EMS Governance Structure by conveying EMS working Group meetings and, if required in the assignment period, EMS Steering Group meetings.

GHG reporting:
• Collects data and compiles all relevant files for the submission of the annual GHG inventory to the Greening the Blue.

Communication:
• Reports on and communicates the EMS both internally and externally by providing information and data for official UN reporting as well as by holding internal and external briefings and meetings (briefings to ESCAP personnel, briefings to UN teams, contractors, interested parties from the UN and other sectors).
• Launches awareness campaigns as per the EMS needs and action plan.
• Prepares the 2023 Annual Environmental Sustainability Report for internal and external circulation.

Policies and strategies:
• Proposes organizational policies and strategies based on environmental management knowledge, data analysis, and research for approval by the EMS Steering group and/or ESCAP senior management.

Procurement:
• Supports the integration of sustainability considerations into procurement both at ESCAP level as well as the UN Bangkok inter-agency level.

Data collection:
• Undertakes survey initiatives and designs data collection tools and analyzes the results, as needed for the EMS implementation.

Budget:
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports in coordination with the Chief of facilities.

General:
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.

• Planning& 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental management, environmental sciences, engineering and/or a related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Training or certification in any of the following is desirable: ISO 14001, ISO 14031 or EMAS or other Environmental Management Certification / PRINCE2 (foundation or practitioner) and/or PMP (PMI) /Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) /Environmental Health and Safety Management Specialist (EHS)

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in environmental management, programme management related to environment, or related areas, is required.

A minimum of three years of experience in an EMS implementation is required.

Proven experience in methodologies (i.e. PRINCE2) and knowledge of standards (i.e. PMI) for project management, and experience in the evaluation and oversight of environmental compliance and the development of environmental KPI is desirable.

Experience preparing and reviewing technical environmental documents, plans and reports is desirable.

Experience analyzing, interpreting and assessing compliance with complex environmental regulations and recommending and implementing solutions is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

Special Notice

This is a temporary position and will be available from 1 October 2023 through 15 April 2024. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment to the post; an external candidate will initially be offered a temporary appointment. Any extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continued availability of the post.

Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service.

Subject to availability of funding for the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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.

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.