Associate Programme Officer, P-2

Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in UNEP/DEPI at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the Director, DEPI, the incumbent will carry out the following duties: A. Assist in compiling data and information necessary for the development and formulation of inter linkages between Marine Ecosystems,small islands and Climate Change Adaptation activities: a) Provide support to the development of activities related to marine and climate change adaptation; b) Draft correspondence to answer requests from other organizations and the general public for information on marine ecosystem and climate change adaptation; c ) Research and analyse the inter-linkages/overlaps between marine ecosystems, small islands and the climate change adaptation programmes/activities; d) Contribute to the development and implementation of project proposals for DEPI programme of work on marine ecosystem and climate change adaptation for capacity building; e) Assist in drafting UNEP legal instruments for implementation with partners, and managing reporting on climate change to donors; f) Participate in the Division Units meetings on the programme of work formulation and contribute to drafting of documents. B. Support the establishment of a joint information and outreach strategies among member states with relevant partners to enhance the visibility and impact of the marine ecosystem and climate change activities: a) Contribute to information transfer and public outreach of the marine ecosystem; b) Assist in writing and/or editing as appropriate, various marine and climate change communication outputs; c) Assist in maintaining synergies with the UNEP Division of Communications and Public Information (DCPI; d) Assist in establishing and maintaining a database of major partners, stakeholders networks and projects on marine and climate change in the regions and status of implementation; e) Compile and collate annual statements by the marine and climate change ecosystems programme on current/emerging issues that are bound to attract policy and media attention on the ecosystem management programme of UNEP. C. Assist the Marine Ecosystems Coordinator and the Climate Change Coordinator in the technical coordination of the activities related marine and climate change ecosystems as outlined in the work programme of DEPI, and emerging issues on ecosystem management programme: a) Assist in analysing decisions taken by the Governing Council, the General Assembly, Conference of the Parties Meetings for regional seas conventions, and other relevant Intergovernmental Meetings, and SMT decisions for issues related to marine ecosystem and climate change; b) Assist in facilitating logistical arrangements in the preparation of inter governmental meetings to ensure climate change and marine networks from governmental and non-governmental organizations as directed by the coordinators to facilitate logistical arrangements for their participation in marine ecosystems and climate change related activities; c) Follow-up and review reports from meetings of relevant partner institutions such as the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands. UNFCCC, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO on marine ecosystems and climate change inter linkages. d) Participate and contribute effectively to climate adaptation networks, workshops and assessment processes.

Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated ability in analysing the interlinkages between marine ecosystems and climate change. Knowledge of the role of communities and local institutions as well as various capacity building initiatives required. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively to achieve organizational goals, and monitor developments in the marine and climate change work. Communication: Highly developed communication (spoken and written) skills, including ability to research and draft/compile a variety of written outputs and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style. Planning and Organizing: Ability to prioritize and work to tight deadlines and handle concurrent projects or assignments.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education
University degree in relevant fields of environmental management, marine biology, geography, climate change.

Work Experience
Minimum three years of relevant working experience in environmental management related in the field of climate change and/or marine or oceans. Knowledge of policies and programme management and experience with the UN or other international organizations an asset.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Other Skills
Comprehensive and current knowledge of appropriate computer software tools desirable. Developed research techniques required.