Environmental Affairs Officer

Posting Title: Environmental Affairs Officer, P3 Job Code Title: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER Department/Office: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Duty Station: BANGKOK Posting Period: 26 February 2020 - 10 April 2020 Job Opening Number: 20-Environmental Affairs-ESCAP-132510-R-Bangkok (G) Staffing Exercise: N/A United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Apply Now Org. Setting and Reporting The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policy oriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. The main mission of the Environment and Development Division of ESCAP is to integrate environmental sustainability in economic and social development, including through the application of environmentally sustainable economic growth approaches, as well as other effective policy initiatives, for inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. This position is located in the Environment and Development Policy Section, in the Environment and Development Division. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Environment and Development Policy Section. Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Environment and Development Policy Section, and overall supervision of the Director, Environment and Development Division, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: Environment and development analysis: • Develops, maintains, and manages environment and/or sustainable development–related information both qualitative and quantitative. • Undertakes periodic reviews and analytical studies including analysis and assessment of global, regional and subregional environment and development cooperation. • Assists with analysis, formulation and dissemination of innovative policy options and tools for improving the environmental sustainability of economic growth and for integration of the three pillars of sustainable development. • Assists in preparation of project documents and in implementation and monitoring of the Division’s work programme. • Drafts specified inputs for technical papers and analytical studies on selected global, regional, national or sector aspects of economic development. • Identifies and analyses policy proposals made elsewhere relating to assigned topics. • Develops partnerships with UN and other relevant institutions, by attending international, regional, and national meetings and capacity building events to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions. • Assists in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, seminars, capacity building events, etc. on environment and sustainable development issues. • Prepares speeches and other inputs for presentations by senior staff. Intergovernmental support: • Prepares inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies. • Follows intergovernmental meetings and prepares summary reports. • 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 development issues for intergovernmental processes. Technical cooperation: • Participates in missions on development issues, usually as a member of a team. • Organizes capacity development events and training seminars for national experts. • 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. Competencies Professionalism: Ability to apply a scientific approach and combine economic and environmental theories on addressing environmental and sustainable development issues. Knowledge of project planning and management. Understanding of environmental and sustainable development policies, and ability to identify relevant issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Ability to draft environment and sustainable development technical documents. 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. 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. 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. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics or environmental sciences, sustainable development or related area. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, policy formulation, application of environment and sustainable development principles in development programmes or related area is required.
Experience in developing innovative policies and tools for integration of the three pillars of sustainable development is an asset.
Experience in quantitative research and analysis, including modeling, in the above fields as demonstrated through publication is desirable.
Experience working in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable.
Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Assessment Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods. Special Notice 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. 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.

Tags: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)