Analyst (Land, Forests, Climate Change), L3 Job Vacancy: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Closing date: 23 Jun 2009

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

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 law and policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

A Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Team has been established within DEPI to develop a UNEP-wide strategic approach and project portfolio for forests and climate change as part of and to advance the implementation of the UN-REDD Programme.

The UN-REDD Programme was launched as a collaborative programme between United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Development Programme and UNEP. The Programme’s main aim is to contribute to the development of capacity for implementing REDD in a number of pilot countries and to support the international dialogue for the inclusion of a REDD mechanism in a post- 2012 regime.

A number of Quick Start Actions have been identified to support both global and national which will build up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties in Copenhagen in December 2009.

The UN REDD Programme Framework Document provides details on the approach, activities, and management of this initiative (http://www.undp.org/mdtf/UN-REDD/docs/Annex-A-Framework-Document.pdf). The post is located in UNEP/DEPI at the Nairobi duty station.

Responsibilities:

Under the day-to-day supervision of the Senior Forest and Climate Change Programme Officer, in close cooperation with the Terrestrial Ecosystems staff of the Fresh Water & Terrestrial Ecosystems Branch (FTEB), and overall supervision of the Deputy Director, DEPI, the incumbent will assist with the implementation of the UN REDD Programme activities allocated to UNEP; support the Forest and Climate Change Senior Programme Officer in operationalizing and implementing the Forest and Climate Change activities including the UN-REDD Programme.

Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Initiate and support the development of strategies for the effective implementation of the UNREDD Programme;
   
2. Provide technical inputs on the implementation of UN-REDD global joint programme activities and technical backstopping on development and implementation of REDD country Programs;
   
3. Identify knowledge gaps and develop ToRs for short term consultancies;
   
4. Provide inputs to reports on programme status, resources, and other related results-based reporting to UNEP Senior Managers and UN-REDD Programme International Secretariat;
   
5. Support the drafting of ToRs and the development of policy papers and consultancy reports;
   
6. Review and finalize workshop/meeting documents and overseeing of practical arrangements;
   
7. Support the development of UN-REDD communication strategy and materials;
   
8. Support regular and direct contact with project partners and main stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation of the project;
   
9. Support internal arrangements and coordination mechanisms for an efficient programme implementation and for monitoring and evaluation, including key performance indicators;
   
10. Participate in meetings, workshop and mission as required;
    
11. Undertake other duties as may be required.
    

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural resources, forestry or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in forest, climate change or ecosystem management, including at least two years at the international level with key international organizations related to forests and climate with emerging forest issues. Experience in research, evaluation and policy development.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the global forest and climate change debate; understanding of the REDD mechanism, ecosystem management and economics.

Communication: Highly developed communication skills (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational), including the ability to present sensitive issues/positions and prepare reports on short notice.

Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively to achieve organizational goals in a multi-cultural, multiethnic 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.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of any other official UN languages would be an asset.

Other Desirable Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet) are required.

How to apply

www.unep.org/vacancies (See project positions)