Associate Environmental Affairs Officer

Beschreibung:

Org. Setting and Reporting
The post is located in the Water Unit of the Transboundary Cooperation Section of the Environment Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland. This position is temporarily available for six months. The Associate Environmental Affairs Officer reports to the Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) and Co-Secretary to the Protocol on Water and Health.

Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section, and the direct supervision of the Secretary to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) and Co-Secretary to the Protocol on Water and Health, the incumbent will support the activities on transboundary water cooperation in the Middle East region under the Water Convention, with a focus on Iraq, and activities on equitable access to water and sanitation under the Protocol by implementing the following tasks: Water sector analysis: * Collects, evaluates, interprets, analyses specified statistics and qualitative information obtained from a variety of sources and pertaining to transboundary water cooperation and water, sanitation and hygiene. * Maintains databases and programmes for database management and organizes non-quantitative information. * Prepares briefing notes, inputs to speeches and similar material on water issues in a form that is meaningful to non-specialists. * Prepares first drafts of country or regional components of analytical studies on water issues and policies. * Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, etc on water and development issues. Intergovernmental support to the Water Convention's and Protocol on Water and Health's bodies: * Prepares inputs for reports and other documentation to intergovernmental bodies. * Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports and similar material. * Prepares inputs to statements by members of the Bureau and Secretariat staff to such meetings. * Assists in the organization of panels, round tables etc on water and development issues for inter-governmental processes. Technical cooperation in the areas of equitable access to water and sanitation in the UNECE region and transboundary water cooperation in the Middle East region: * Compiles and analyses the data and other information necessary for the preparation of technical cooperation project proposals in the areas of equitable access to water and sanitation in the UNECE region and transboundary water cooperation in the Middle East region, with a focus on Iraq. * Prepares documentation for technical cooperation programmes and projects. * Contributes to the preparation of material for the approval of regional, country or sector technical cooperation projects. * Monitors, backstops and assesses the implementation of technical cooperation programmes and projects. General: * Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services; * Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. * Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies
* Professionalism: Knowledge of water, sanitation and hygiene and transboundary water cooperation. Knowledge of water-related issues in the Middle East region. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyse data, make recommendations and write reports. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. * 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. * 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.

Education
A first-level university degree in economics, environmental sciences, water management or related field.

Job - Specific Qualification
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 two years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, policy formulation in water issues is required. Experience of work in or with countries of the Middle East region is required. Experience with multilateral environmental agreements and the servicing of their intergovernmental bodies is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

* Language
* Reading
* Writing
* Listening
* Speaking

English
UN Level III
UN Level III
UN Level III
UN Level III

Arabic
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II
UN Level II

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. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. * This position is temporarily available for an initial period of 6 months with possibility of extention. 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. * Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. * This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. * 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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