Senior Programme Officer (P-5) - Coordinator, Marine Ecosystems

Vacancy announcement number: 08-PGM-UNEP-419833-R-NAIROBI

WORK DESCRIPTION:

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 overall guidance of the Director, DEPI, the incumbent will be responsible for formulating and implementing the Marine Ecosystems activities including marine biodiversity, habitat conservation, environmental aspects of fisheries, coral reefs, high seas management and within delegated authority he/she will manage the human and financial resources of the unit, preparing reports and ensuring timely UN reporting requirements by:

1. Coordinating and directing development and implementation of activities and projects on marine ecosystems. 2. Developing and maintaining a network for collaboration and partnerships within UNEP, UN organizations, governments and expert institutions and promoting the mobilization of resources for programme activities in particular sectors, regions or countries. 3. Initiating and/or assessing and recommending the viability of environmental projects and programme elements, negotiating suitable executing arrangements and project financing. 4. Overseeing the preparation and/or quality of reports for presentation to senior management, governing councils and intergovernmental bodies. 5. Participating in substantive discussions, meetings, and conferences and representing the unit at international, regional or national meetings. 6. Making recommendations and reporting on the status of implementation of the marine ecosystems and coral reef activities to the Coordinator, Coastal and Marine Branch, and the Director for policy and programme guidance. 7. Recommending the allocation of financial resources, justifying administrative and/or results-based budget proposals and work plans including designing projects for resource mobilization for implementation of programme activities. 8. Managing staff performance, guiding and supporting staff in meeting their objectives, fostering teamwork and communication in the Unit and across organizational boundaries. 9. Performing any other duties as required.

COMPENTENCES:

Professionalism: Mastery of diverse scope of capacity building and a clear vision of UNEPs role at the national, regional and global levels. Ability to resolve complex and politically sensitive problems with governments and cooperating institutions. Communication: Highly developed communication skills (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation), including the ability to present sensitive issues/positions and prepare reports on short notice. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Planning and organizing: Ability to identify priorities, work to tight deadlines, handle concurrent projects and coordinate the work of others. Leadership: Ability to develop strategies and empower others to accomplish objectives and solve problems, ability to evaluate performance and mentor subordinate staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education
An advanced university degree in marine biodiversity, water, natural resources. A first level degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience
At least 10 years of progressively responsible work in marine ecosystem including 5 years at international level and 2 years in a supervisory capacity. Knowledge of marine biodiversity, and/or oceans.

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. Knowledge of another United Nations language is an asset.

Other Skills
Skills in interlinkages approaches for managing connectivity between ecosystems and social actions for sustainable development. Ability to establish and maintain partnerships in implementation of programmes. Be fully proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications e.g. word processing, internal database and internet etc.