National Programme Officer-UNEP-(Nationals Only)

This position is open to Ukrainian Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

The war in Ukraine has exacerbated existing environmental challenges in Ukraine. Prior to the war, Ukraine’s National Environmental Strategy–2020 identified several key environmental challenges: air pollution; quality of water resources and land degradation; solid waste management; biodiversity loss; and human health problems.

The Government of Ukraine, through Ukraine’s Permanent Mission to UNEP in Nairobi, officially requested UNEP to support its efforts to monitor, assess, mitigate, and remediate the environmental damage resulting from the conflict. The provision of such support is core to the services offered by UNEP under its mandate, the agreed Medium-Term Strategy and Programme of Work, and applicable UNEA resolutions, namely 2/15 (Protection of the environment in areas affected by armed conflict) and 3/1 (Pollution mitigation and control in areas affected by armed conflict or terrorism).

In response, UNEP initiated a preliminary mapping and compilation of the environmental damage arising from the conflict. In October 2022, UNEP and GRID-Arendal published  a desk study entitled “The Environmental Impact of the Conflict in Ukraine: A Preliminary Review”. The report aims to inform a comprehensive environmental assessment of Ukraine conflict – anticipated impacts and priority areas. Additionally, UNEP supports the Ukrainian authorities with technical assistance, guidance, and identification of the relevant expertise. This includes remote environmental monitoring and tracking of critical infrastructure – hazardous facilities (such as those holding toxic chemicals, oil fuels). To date, UNEP and its partners have recorded 1,000+ incidents in 600+ hazardous facilities and critical infrastructure. The monitoring and tracking have also recorded 30,000 incidents in urban settlements. Furthermore, a new methodology to track impact on ecosystems, particularly on forests and protected areas, is currently under development. This data is critical for informing the environment impacts of the conflict but also to guide the prioritization of response and recovery actions.

UNEP is an active member of the UNCT, is an observer to the peace formula working group n. 8 on the peace formula and has been actively involved in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment following Kakhovka dam breach as well as the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA).

UNEP will work with National and local authorities, civil society, Academia and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a science-based, sustainable, climate resilient and green recovery in Ukraine in alignment with the country’s National Recovery Plan. Within an initial phase UNEP will focus on laying the required foundation to support a green and resilience recovery through an enhanced national and international understanding of the impact of the war on the environment and demonstrating environment related remediation measures which will be critical for recovery and reconstruction. A second phase will (to be articulated further depending on the evolution of the war) focus on upscaling appropriate environment-integrated recovery and reconstruction measures for upscaling and replicationThe Programme Unit works to support achievement of strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.

Position Purpose: 

The National Programme Officer works under the direct supervision of the UNEP Senior Programme Officer in Kyiv to enhance and strengthen Government relations and outreach to national partners/stakeholders as well as ensures that support is provided for strategic planning, assessment, monitoring and analysis concerning UNEP’s work in Ukraine.

The National Programme Officer position requires a candidate with a strong mix of skills related to project management and reporting, planning, communication, teamwork, empowerment and building trust, political awareness and stakeholder management

Organization adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1.)  Contribute to the formulation and implementation of programme strategies and policies.

• Provide inputs to thorough analysis of the environmental, political, social and economic situation in the country.
• Provide inputs to operationalize UNEP’s programme in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
• Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of UNEP presence.
• Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.

2.)  Participate in effective management of UNEP’sprogramme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme. 

• Provide input to design and formulation of UNEP programme for Ukraine, translate UNEP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNEP and UNDP rules and regulations..
• Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
• Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and support effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
• Provide inputs to trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
• Support preparation for audits and the implementation of management responses.
• Prepare inputs for reporting, including donor and corporate reports.
• Support the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to internal approvals, finalize contribution agreements, and determine required revisions.

3.)  Support creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the UNEP in Ukraine resource mobilization strategy.

• Support development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.
• Provide input in Identifying strategic programme areas of cooperation, including for joint programming.
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and support Country Office resource mobilization efforts.
• Contribute to development of portfolios including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.

4.)  Support Provision of top-quality advisory services to the Government and facilitate knowledge building and management.

• Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and compile best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Support establishment and strengthening of national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
• Support development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Ensure that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned programme areas.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise Programme support staff

Competencies

Core Competencies: 

• Achieve Results-LEVEL 2:  Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously-LEVEL 2:  Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility-LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination-LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner-LEVEL 2:  Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion- LEVEL 2:  Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Management-Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management-Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management-Portfolio Management  

• Ability to select, priorities and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Business Management-Risk Management

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management-Working with Evidence and Data

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Business Development-Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness-Effectiveness 

• Project Quality Assurance

Qualifications:

Education:  

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required

OR

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Up to 2 years (with master’s degree) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects within assigned thematic area.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
• Experience and understanding of environmental policy and legislation is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge of key environmental issues, including institutional mandates, in Ukraine is an advantage
• Demonstrated experience in building the capacity of national entities in the context of sustainable development is desirable.
• Prior experience working with government institutions will be considered as an asset.
• Demonstrated strong coordination and organizational skills is an asset.
• Experience in research work is an advantage

Language requirements

• Fluency in the UN language of the duty station (English) is required
• Fluency in the national language of the duty station (Ukrainian) is required for local staff
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable

Note:

• “Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)”

Applicant information about rosters

UNEP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNEP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

• UNEP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• UNEP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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