Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environment 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. UNEP’s Economy Division addresses environmental issues at global and regional levels, provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Economy Division also works with many partners, including Member States, to advance the organization’s global goals as well as national efforts to transition to a low-carbon, green economy. Within the Economy Division, the Resources and Markets Branch is focused on resource efficiency, inclusive green economy, and circularity. It leads the UNEP Green Economy Initiative and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy, One Planet Network, International Resource Panel, Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) and many other initiatives. All these aims to shift national economies on to a more sustainable path, in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally friendly goods and services. The Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) initiative (lead by UNEP) is an accelerator of the SDGs, SDG12 and SDG8. GO4SDGs focuses one 3 main action areas: supporting governments to strengthen policy coherence; 2) support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase capacities and access for financing innovation and circularity; and empower youth to amplify their voices and embrace sustainable lifestyles. As part of this work, GO4SDGs is following up the recommendations of the International Meeting “Stockholm+50” and it’s a legacy initiative on “Green Jobs for Youth Pact”. This Pact brings together three UN Agencies ILO, UNEP, and UNICEF/Generation Unlimited”. The pact aims to build on the combined strengths of the three agencies and deliver a meaningful legacy of Stockholm+50 by identifying countries where there is a high potential for green jobs and the need to equip youth with the necessary green skills. Working with and for young people, it is a bold and unique partnership for action to close the skills gap in developing countries, targeting climate vulnerable sectors, contributing to a systemic change harvesting benefits for people, planet, and prosperity. The Pact combines the comparative strengths of the three UN agencies to bring the skills and jobs, environment, and youth mandates under one integrated umbrella. The objective of the consultancy is to support the co-design, coordination, and implementation of the Pact at the global and regional and level. The Consultant shall be under the overall supervision of, the Head of Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) and will work closely with the GO4SGDS team in the regions and members of the Pact from the 3 Agencies Specific tasks and responsibilities Provide substantive inputs and knowledge to the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, contributing to the regional delivery. Be a liaison person between UNEP and ILO, supporting the work on green jobs for youth at the regional and national level, contributing to research on national assessment on green jobs and multi-stakeholder regional and national dialogues. Prepare substantive documents, briefing, background papers related to green jobs for youth and on the potential of high impact sectors for green jobs generation Work closely with GO4SDGs partners and regional officers to implement the Pact at the regional level, this includes: Work closely with UNEP’s Youth Environmental Alliance (YEA) and UNICEF, to enhance active engagement of youth including the Youth Task Force of Stockholm, YOUNGA and other Youth networks. Facilitate dialogues with private sector on green jobs in high impact sectors, innovation, and demand for new skills – in close cooperation with GGKP, ILO, 10YFP, SEED, and others. Facilitate dialogues with Academia and education bodies on green skills and reskilling for green jobs. Contribute and assist in the organization of multi-stakeholder workshops, roundtables, including preparing agendas, invitations, background papers, PPT and meeting reports. Present work of the Pact at relevant events and workshops, as needed. Prepare presentations, briefing note and reporting for UNEP’s officials including Executive Office and the Directors of the Divisions. Provide inputs to the communication officers/consultant to support the outreach and communications of the Pact – website, newsletter, social media. The consultant will report to the Head of GO4SDGs.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in economics, political science, development, or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Five years’ experience drafting background papers and technical reports, interagency coordination, and regional delivery of complex projects, is required. The incumbent is expected to have experience working on green economy projects at the national and regional level, is required. Experience working in with the UN system is desirable
Additional Information
Competencies: • Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.