Project Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Closing date: 19 Feb 2009
Location: Switzerland - Geneva

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems 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.

This post is located in the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change, Environmental Change and Induced (Human) Migration (CCIEM) Programmes of UNEP/DEPI, at the Geneva duty station.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Operations Manager, Post Conflict and Disaster Management Branch, the incumbent will carry out the following specific tasks:

1. Programme Management: Oversee the project portfolio of programmes for both disciplines - DRR and CCIEM. a) Provide substantive input into programme development and internal approval/consultation processes.
b) Maintain oversight of the financial and scheduled progress of the portfolios and intervening to assist project teams as appropriate.
c) Ensure all project related monitoring, evaluation and progress reporting obligations are being met.
d) Reactivate and strengthen the UNEP programme on Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL) ? a programme that promotes a community-oriented framework to identify and create awareness of risks in industrialized communities, to initiate measures for risk reduction and mitigation, and to develop co-ordinated preparedness between industries, local authorities and communities.
e) Project planning, budgeting, contract and personnel management and interaction with a wide range of project stakeholders including UN partner agencies, national and international NGOs and federal and state governments and local officials.

2. UNEP policy development and internal advocacy; Lead the further development and refinement of the UNEP DRR and CCEIM programmes, communicate and advocate to the rest of UNEP with the objective of mainstreaming DRR and CCIEM into the larger UNEP programme of action, with a particular focus on the two subprogrammes of climate change adaptation and ecosystem services.

3. Represent UNEP in the DRR and CCEIM communities: Develop an external engagement strategy for the team and as part of that represent UNEP in the various events and fora as appropriate.

4. UNEP programme development and fundraising: Lead the development of project proposals in line with the UNEP DRR and CCEIM strategies for delivery to donor countries and agencies as part of the programme development. Assist in the follow up of such proposals with interested donors.

5. Technical advice and substantive input: Provide technical advice in an ad hoc capacity of critically commenting on technical reports, strategies and policy papers to partners.

6. Climate change adaptation policy and science Act as a focal point for climate change adaptation issues for the branch. Liaises with the UNEP Climate Change coordinator and the CCA team based in Paris and Nairobi, and inform and coach the branch on the integration of CCA issues into the conflicts and disasters portfolio.

7. Perform any other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree in environmental sciences or related field. A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience: At least 7 years of relevant and progressive experience in national and international environmental or development fields; including some experience in the integration of the fields of environmental policies and social/development areas such as disaster risk reduction, livelihoods generation and forced migration. Experience with different aspects of project management including development planning, implementation, evaluation and supervision of environmental experts.

Competencies

Professionalism: As one of UNEP?s core capacities is the provision of technical knowledge, the position will requires the occasional writing of technical papers, most often in cooperation with partners. Likewise, the position will require sufficient technical knowledge both the science and application of scientific knowledge in the fields of environment, disasters and climate change as well as a broad understanding social science as these relate to both issues of migration and disaster risk reduction. Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks.

Planning and organizing: Proven ability to work under pressure and to use limited resources effectively, conducting risk analysis and applying contingency measures to adjust plans and resources effectively.

Teamwork: Ability to operate effectively across organizational and country boundaries; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic work environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Proven ability to collaborate with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour.

Communication: Excellent communication skills (written and spoken), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of report on UN policy issues; developing written proposals, action plans, speeches and presentation.

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

Other Skills: Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, e-mail, internet) are required.
How to apply
http://www.unep.org (See project position)
Reference Code: RW_7P5KQB-10
Source: Reliefweb

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