Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Programmes Team of the United Nations Global Compact in New York. The Programme Officer (Environment and Climate) reports to the Senior Programme Officer, Programmes. The focus of this job is the development and implementation of climate and environmental initiatives in the United Nations Global Compact. The United Nations Global Compact is the United Nations’ voluntary corporate sustainability initiative in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. It revolves around ten universal principles drawn from four key international instruments in these areas. The Global Compact Office is the United Nations entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative. It pursues two complementary objectives: (1) making the Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations everywhere; and (2) facilitating cooperation among key stakeholders by promoting partnerships and collective action in support of United Nations, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, under the leadership of the Chief of Programmes, the Programme Officer (Climate) will be responsible for the following duties:
- Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of the United Nations Global Compact work on environment and climate change; monitors and analyzes the development and implementation of the climate portfolio; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with strategic partners such as the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Environment; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
- Performs engagement assignments, in collaboration with the strategic partners and participants of the UN Global Compact, and handles key communications and correspondence with stakeholders and partners relations on environmental issues.
- Plans and facilitates workshops, webinars and other interactive sessions and engages companies and investors in activities that contribute to enhance the capacity of business to implement climate action, particularly on responsible policy engagement, science based targets and other global commitments supporting the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Development Agenda. Researches and analyzes environmental performance of Global Compact participants, contributes to the development of reports, publications and tools on the implementation of Global Compact Environmental Principles, UN Climate processes and the 2030 Development Agenda and specialized initiatives with the Global Compact Local Networks, and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
- Assists in policy development, undertakes survey initiatives, including the review and analysis of issues and trends related to corporate climate action, prepares publications and evaluations on corporate sustainability and climate action. Prepares various written outputs, such as background and policy papers, talking points, project proposals, guidance and analytical notes, and inputs to UN Global Compact Climate publications and Global Compact activities and specialized workstreams related to the environment portfolio.
- Provides substantive support and overall coordination of key UN conferences and processes including the global stock take of the Paris Agreement, the UN Secretary General’s climate events and the annual COP/CMP UN Climate Change Conferences in collaboration with UN Environment and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; supports the planning and facilitation of workshops and meetings of the Caring for Climate initiative with a view to further mobilize corporate climate action and implementation supporting the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, proposes agenda topics, identifies potential participants, speaker engagement, prepares documents and presentations, handles follow-up activities etc.
- Undertakes outreach activities for Global Compact’s work on environment and climate, including with Global Compact Local Networks; represents and makes presentations on topics related to business and climate, including priority topics of Action Platforms.
- Supports coordination of activities related to budget and funding of the climate portfolio, including programme strategy, annual activity reports, progress reports and assists in preparing related documents.
- Performs other duties, as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, environmental science, social science, or a related field. A first-level university degree 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 project or programme management related to environment and climate change is required.
- Experience collaborating with private and public sectors on corporate sustainability in the area of environment and climate is required.
- Experience managing strategic partnerships or government affairs in areas related to environment and climate work is desirable.
- Experience with resource mobilization or fundraising is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Application instructions
Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net