Project Management , Safety and Environment / HSE, UN Jobs,
Technical Advisor, Chemicals and Waste Unit
- The Global Environment Facility (GEF) helps developing countries and those with economies in transition to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits in six focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters, ozone layer depletion, land degradation and chemicals and waste. An important component of almost all UNEP’s GEF projects is building capacity to manage the environment in a sound manner.
The Chemicals and Health Branch of UNEP plays a key role in supporting countries to implement, develop and execute chemicals related GEF projects that fit within its comparative advantage. UNEP’s comparative advantage within the GEF has been defined as:
- Scientific assessment, monitoring, early warning.
- Linking science to policy (Capacity Building, Enabling Activities) at national, regional and global levels;
- Innovation, technology transfer and lifting barriers;
- Regional and global cooperation;
Awareness raising, advocacy, and knowledge management.
- As part of its duties, the GEF Chemicals & Waste Unit is in charge of supervising a portfolio of ongoing projects, develop new projects to be submitted to the GEF and assist countries to close finished projects. The Chemicals team also provides coaching and advice to UNEP colleagues in the Chemicals and Health Branch and in other divisions. GEF Chemicals & Waste Unit has been successful in developing a series of projects which now require the completion of the package for GEF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) endorsement. Supervision of the development of these proposals has been assigned across the GEF team but the volume of work to be undertaken requires additional technical advice and input from a specialist consultant with experience in guiding Minamata Convention related GEF proposals. The development of the submissions is time sensitive, and the workload requires the support to be available as early as possible.
Reporting lines:
- The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager of the Chemicals and Waste GEF unit.
Specific tasks and responsibilities: The Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:
Concept and project development
- As we initiate the GEF8 cycle, the mercury pipeline projects need to be discussed and agreed with the GEF and project development needs to be initiated. The incumbent will lead the coordination and development of different concepts and projects with international and national stakeholders and support the Portfolio Manager on negotiations with the GEF and for the obtaining of the endorsement letters. The incumbent will work with different team members of the Chemicals and Waste Unit (C&WU) and provide technical advice on the drafting of the project identification forms (PIFs) and project documents and ensure their clearances.
Projects/concepts under direct supervision of incumbent:
- Full-sized project (FSP) on mercury trade in Asia
- Projects/concepts supported by other C&W team members:
- FSP project on unintentional mercury emissions from nonferrous metals production
- FSP waste management from mercury in products in Southern Africa
- FSP chlor alkali sector in Brazil
- FSP planetGOLD Senegal
- FSP planetGOLD Costa Rica
- FSP planetGOLD Paraguay
- MSP mercury trade and management in Brazil
- Enabling activities
Active projects
- The incumbent will provide technical guidance and advice toward the existing portfolio of the Unit (in particular Minamata Convention related projects). The Incumbent will also provide interim task management duties and work closely with different members of the C&WU to ensure proper and timely implementation of planned activities as a GEF Agency. Activities include monitoring executing agencies and review/approval of monitoring reports of the following projects:
Projects under direct monitoring of incumbent:
- planetGOLD global
- Medical devices project
- Dental amalgam project
- Skin lightening products project
- National Action Plans (NAPs) (Cambodia and Pakistan)
Projects supported by other C&W team members:
- planetGOLD Mongolia/Philippines, Uganda, Congo, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Mexico primary mining project
- Mexico chlor alkali project
- Coal MSP project
- Mercury trade in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
- Enabling activities
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Continuous engagement with Global Mercury Partnership and other internal units such as the Minamata Secretariat
- Act as the main focal point for targeted technical assistance through global components of different mercury projects
- Lead the periodic Unit responses to requests from Minamata Secretariat
- Participate in Minamata Conference of Parties (COP) intersession and regional meetings (on as needed basis)
Qualifications/special skills
- Advanced university degree in a field related to Environmental Sciences (chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental studies, environmental management), or equivalent experience.
- At least 15 years of working experience in project management at international level is required.
- Working knowledge of Global Environment Facility (GEF) Chemicals and Waste projects especially related to Minamata Convention on mercury (development and supervision) is required.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN language is desirable.
Deadline : Dec 10, 2023
Programme Management Officer
Responsibilities
- Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of UNEP’s Global Electric Mobility Programme, and in specific in projects on electric vehicles charging infrastructure and the end-of-life of electric vehicles and their batteries. ; monitors and analyzes programme/project 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.
- Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
- Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
- Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies related to the global electric mobility project with a focus on e-freight and global processes.
- Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
- Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
- Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
- Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
- Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements,) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget,).
- Collects and analyzes 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
- Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the electric mobility with a specific focus on issues related to electric vehicles charging infrastructure, end-of-life of electric vehicles, and end-of-life of electric vehicles batteries. 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. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management .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.
- TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- 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 (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, sciences, engineering, economics, development studies economics, development studies or a related field is required.
- A first-level university degree in combination with 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.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in electric mobility or related fields is required;
- Three (3) years’ work experience at the international level is desirable.
- Two (2) years’ work experience focusing on electric mobility issues in developing countries is desirable.
- Substantive knowledge of, and technical and practical expertise on electric mobility, with a focus on electric vehicles charging infrastructure and/or the end-of-life of electric vehicles and their batteries, is desirable;
- Experience in dealing with international donor organizations in proposal writing, project reporting, budget supervision etc.) is desirable;
- Experience developing tools and guidelines and reports on electric mobility is desirable;
- Experience in developing and implementing public–private sector partnerships, preferably at international level, is desirable.
- Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
- NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four areas.
Programme Management Assistant
Responsibilities
- Provides support in planning and implementation activities/processes for GSU related initiatives.
- Research, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/projects and related topics.
- Assists in the preparation and analysis of the GSU workplan and related budget proposals; provides assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; reviews and coordinates submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; prepares reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized.
- Assists in the monitoring the GSU initiatives; updates, tracks and analyses data related to GSU initiatives, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures.
- Collaborates with the Head of the GSU on performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services scheduled and various planning, management, and monitoring instruments such as the internal work plans, IPMR, Safeguards and Gender online system (SAGE) and others; provides assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted.
- Drafts GSU initiatives’ summaries, coordinates review and clearance process, and coordinates with editor, translation services, etc. on finalization and publication of report in multiple languages, as applicable.
- Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of GSU activities (i.e. publication reviews, project reviews, gender focal points network support), involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organization of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc.
- Prepares, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases, intranet such as WeCollaborate, and Teams; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
- Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of GSU’s work especially to the Gender Focal Points, Safeguards Advisory Groups, and other key internal and external clients and programme/project administration.
- Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff.
- Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
- Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of internal policies, processes, and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
- TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- 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
- High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required.
- Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) e.g. SAP is desirable.
- Experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.
- One (1) year 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. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
- NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Deadline : Jan 2, 2024