Programme Management Officer

United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)

Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Science Division is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment.

This position is located within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Data and Statistics Unit of the Office of the Director Capacity Development and Innovation Branch in the Science Division at the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Manages the SDG Indicators under UNEP custodianship:
(a) Manage the systems analysis, design, development, and implementation of environment statistics data processing system(s) for the collection, processing, presentation and dissemination of statistical information on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under UNEP custodianship and for the inclusion of this data in the World Environment Situation Room and the UNSD SDG Global Database.
(b) Generates survey initiatives.
(c) Designs data collection tools.
(d) Reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
(e) Confer with national statistical offices and other national, internal and external stakeholders to gain understanding of needed changes or modifications.
(f) Resolve questions of program intent, data input, output requirements, and inclusion of internal checks and controls.

• Co-ordinates all actions required for the effective implementation of projects:
(a) Develops, implements, and evaluates assigned projects.
(b) Monitors and analyzes project development and implementation.
(c) Reviews relevant documents and reports.
(d) Identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions.
(e) Liaises with relevant parties and ensures follow-up actions.
(f) Coordinates activities related to budget funding (project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.)

• Conducts capacity building workshops on environment statistics, SDGs and SDMX:
(a) Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
(b) Initiates and coordinates outreach activities and conducts training workshops on Environment statistics and SDMX, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
(c) Leads and/or participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.

• Manages the SDMX standard implementation in UNEP:
(a) Review, analyze and evaluate user needs for the design, development, and implementation of the system to ensure Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) compliance.
(b) Represents UNEP in the SDMX Statistical and SDGs Working Groups and in the SDMX Experts meetings.
(c) Develop customized Data Structure Definitions (DSD) for data exchange of indicators with no existing DSDs, and other functional specifications and user documentation.

• Manages UNEP Environmental, Social and Economic database :
(a) Maintain the Environmental, Social and Economic data in World Environment Situation Room database up to date and add required indicators and their data by linking new data sources to the database.
(b) Manages and maintain the SDG Interface Ontology (SDGIO) in collaboration with the ontology experts and link it to broader SDGs and domains related ontologies as part of Linked Open Data.
(c) Write detailed descriptions of user needs, program functions and steps required to develop or modify computer programs.

• Supervise and provide guidance to junior staff, UNV’s and interns.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to environment, project or programme management and administration. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection and validation using various methods. Data Analysis & Visualization skills, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various data sources, and an understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management 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.

COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental studies, Information Technology, Computer Science or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is a desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, compilation, verification and dissemination of statistical data, as well as management of databases and webpage development is required.

Experience with capacity development on environment statistics is required.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in data analytics or related area is required.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.

Experience working in a United Nations common system or similar international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of” confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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