Deputy Regional Director, P5

Position description

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. This position is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) at the Panama Duty Station.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director and Regional Representative, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

• Coordinate the formulation, implementation and monitoring of UNEP’s Programme of work in Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC).  This includes:
  • coordinate regional inputs to UNEP’s strategic planning, in particular the Medium-Term Strategy and Programme of Work;
  • ensure alignment with relevant UN frameworks, agendas, and agreements, including the Sustainable Development Goals and Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and
  • ensure consideration of regional, subregional and country priorities, including those identified in the context of the Forum of Ministers of Environment, other regional fora, UN Sustainable Cooperation Frameworks in the region; and Multilateral Environmental Agreements, among others.
• Focal Responsibility for Substantive Activities: Assist the Regional Director in further evaluating environmental needs and priorities in the region and promoting regional and subregional cooperation on substantive activities by:
  • analyzing progress in environmental protection as the basis of sustainable development in the region;
  • providing advice to the Regional Director and upper management at UNEP Headquarters regarding policy options and programme activities;
  • providing technical guidance and substantive input to partners in order to enhance the level of cooperation on regional and subregional environmental matters.
• Focal Responsibility for the programme of work delivery in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC): Work closely with subprogramme regional coordinators, programme officers and project managers in the Latin America and the Caribbean Office to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the Programme of Work of the Regional Office, including:
  • regular staff meetings to assess progress and to discuss opportunities to strengthen UNEP’s delivery and to increase impact;
  • development and implementation of knowledge management strategies to enhance UNEP´s strategic engagement and impact;
  • development of strategies to promote synergies and coherence in the implementation of UNEP’s Programme of Work in the region;
  • provide technical guidance and inputs for the review of projects, programmes, evaluations, and partnerships in the region;
  • in close coordination with UNEP’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Policy and Programme Division, provide guidance and inputs for timely preparation, implementation and successful conclusion of evaluations of UNEP projects in the region and their follow up; and
  • provide substantive inputs for the development of outreach products and resource mobilization strategies in support of the implementation of UNEP’s Programme of Work in the region.
• Coordinate the Secretariat of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC);
• Promote the building of strategic partnerships with relevant Government Agencies and regional bodies such as other UN agencies, commissions and programmes, regional development banks, civil society organizations and all relevant regional, sub regional and national stakeholders;
• Focal Responsibility for Inputs to UNEP’s Programme in the One UN under the Delivering as One Framework: Assist the Regional Director in the One UN by:
  • Coordinating UNEP´s presence and contributions in UN Country Teams (UNCT), ensuring effective integration of the environmental dimension in UNCT planning and programming, especially during the common country programming process;
  • Identifying opportunities for inter-agency cooperation and joint programming in the region;
  • Drafting and keeping updated a UNEP-wide country programme document in collaboration with all UNEP units with national activities and use the process to promote synergies, avoid duplication, and ensure a coordinated delivery of UNEP’s activities in the One UN pilots;
  • Providing joint programming and planning support by chairing or contributing to the results groups related to the environment in regional platforms or UN Country Teams; and
  • Providing policy dialogue support by producing policy briefs and updates; providing inputs for preparation of the Resident Coordinator Annual Report, progress reports and other common analytical documents for the UN system; facilitating coordination activities at the technical level; representing the UNCT as necessary in policy dialogue with Government and development partners.
• Support management of Administrative Operations: Support the Regional Director in the administrative functioning of operations in the Regional Office by:
  • Assisting in the preparation and implementation of the Regional Office work programme;
  • Ensuring the timely submission of project proposals and work plans, as well as of progress and evaluation reports to UNEP Headquarters;
  • Assisting the administrative functions of the Office and apportioning specific work and assignments to subordinates, including consultants.
• Coordination of Image Building/Public Information: Assist the Regional Director in enhancing UNEP’s visibility and raising public awareness of environmental issues in the region;
• Support mobilization of resources to support the implementation of UNEP’s Programme of Work;
• Deputizing:
  • Act as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Regional Director and represent him/her at meetings, when required;
  • Undertake ad hoc assignments to support the functions of the Regional Office.
• Leads 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: Knowledge in programme formulation, coordination and management, policy making, planning and monitoring. Ability in conscientious and efficient in observing deadlines, achieving results; takes accountability for goals and challenges; ability to identify and resolve key issues in a complex situation. 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 difficult problems or challenges; remains clam in stressful situations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
• 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 the 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;
• JUDGEMENT/DECISION-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 decision prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact of others and on the organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decisions; Makes tough decisions when necessary; Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment.

Education

• Advanced university degrees (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural or environmental science, economic/political science, or a relevant scientific discipline is required;
• A first level university degree in combination with two 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 desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development or environmental science, of which five years should be at the international level is required;
• Three (3) years of working experience in a supervisory capacity especially for programme management staff is required;
• Experience in driving the global environmental agenda and sustainable development goals and their applicability in the region is required;
• Experience in regional programme/projects coordination and resources is required;
• Work experience in Latin America and the Caribbean countries preferably in the area of strategic policy setting and diplomatic negotiations is desirable;
• Experience liaising with governments is desirable;
• Experience in resource mobilization is desirable;
• Experience working for the United Nations system or other international organization is desirable;
• 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 are 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.

Application instructions

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