HEAD OF UNEP’s OFFICE IN COLOMBIA

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) helps to implement UNEP’s programs by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental, challenges, opportunities and emergencies. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director, the incumbent, who serves as UNEP’s focal point for Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Develop and strengthen the representation of UNEP in Colombia: a. Develop an effective relationship with the Government of Colombia to ensure the smooth and mutually beneficial development and implementation of UNEP’s Programme of Work in the country; b. Support and implement the UN reform initiatives in Colombia, particularly by engaging with the UN Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and by bringing UNEP´s vision to UNCT activities and analysis; c. Lead UNEP´s contributions for the effective integration of the environmental dimension in Colombia´s Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); d. Lead the implementation of UNEP´s Programme of Work in Colombia, including the development of at least one overarching project proposal for the implementation of UNEP´s contributions to Colombia´s UNSDCF. e. Motivate Colombia´s financial contribution to the Environment Fund. f. Ensure the integration of gender and diversity issues into all projects, programmes, reports, analysis and communications as appropriate; g. Undertake any representation and advocacy tasks in the country and in the region as assigned by the supervisor 2. Serve as focal point of UNEP in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela a. On behalf of the Regional Director, develop an effective relationship with the governments of Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, ensuring a smooth and mutually beneficial development and implementation of UNEP’s Programme of Work in these countries. b. Support and implement the UN reform initiatives in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, particularly by engaging with the UN Resident Coordinators and the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs), and by bringing UNEP´s vision to UNCT activities and analysis in these countries. c. Lead UNEP´s contributions for the effective integration of the environmental dimension in the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. d. Lead the implementation of UNEP´s Programme of Work in Ecuador and Peru, including the development of at least one overarching project proposal for the implementation of UNEP´s contributions to the UNSDCF in these countries. e. Provide feedback and policy insights to the Regional Office and other offices as to how best engage Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela in the implementation of the global and regional Programme o Work of UNEP f. Motivate the financial contributions from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela to the Environment Fund. g. Conduct missions to these countries as required to engage with the government, UNCT, and strategic partners. h. Undertake any representation and advocacy tasks in these countries as assigned by the Regional Director. 3. Manage the Project Office of UNEP in Colombia a. Ensure the management of staff and consultants is handled according to UN policies and procedures; b. Ensure appropriate financial management according to UN policies and procedures; c. Develop and implement effective and efficient project administration approaches, including partnership arrangements with other agencies such as UNDP as the initial administrative agency for the UNEP Colombia programme; d. Develop necessary legal agreements to ensure the management of UNEP’s business risk, political relations and legal compliance in Colombia, leveraging the support of the UN system when necessary; e. Ensure the compliance of all projects developed by the country office or with the support of the country office with the administrative rules and reporting requirements of their donors as necessary and ensure the production of high-quality reports and accountability as necessary; f. Develop project proposals for the sustainability of the UNEP presence in the country. g. Act as security focal point for all UNEP personnel and activities in Colombia; h. Coordinate actions at the country level aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of all staff, consultants, interns and Junior Professional Officers of UNEP, and protection of UNEP assets; i. Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM : Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Knowledge of establishing and maintaining relationships with a broad range of individuals and institutions to understand needs and gain support. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction; Ability to develop strategies and communicate clearly links between the organization’s strategy and programme of work the region’s and sub region’s and countries’ goals; Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation; Demonstrated ability to negotiate, apply good judgment and the ability to influence others to reach agreement; Mastery of diverse scope of capacity building and a clear vision of UNEP’s role at the national, sub-regional, regional and global levels; Ability to resolve complex and politically sensitive problems with governments, cooperating institutions, and other stakeholders. The ability to analyze 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. 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 AND 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. LEADERSHIP – Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. JUDGEMENT/DECISON-MAKING – Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information, checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Economy, Law, Political Sciences or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work 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 desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive responsible work experience in sustainable development, particularly on the environmental agenda, is required, At least five (5) years’ experience at the international level, is required. At least five (5) years of programme management experience are required. Relevant work experience in the Latin America region, in particular in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and/or Venezuela is desirable. Relevant experience working with the UN system, particularly in interagency coordination and/or the formulation and implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement. 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. 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. 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.