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Job Vacancy: Environmental Sustainability Officer – (P-3) – Paris
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
Post Number : ADM 061
Grade : P-3
Parent Sector : Sector For Administration and Management (ADM)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Administration
Type of contract : Fixed Term
Duration of contract : 2 years
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 17-JAN-2022
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
In accordance with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030: Phase I, UNESCO is implementing an Environmental Management System in line with ISO14001:2015 standard as the key framework for addressing the Organization’s long-term environmental performance. The overall goal is to minimize any negative impact on the environment by UNESCO’s operations and programme activities worldwide, and contribute positively to protecting the environment and communities in which the Organization operates.
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management, and the direct supervision of the Senior Executive Officer, the incumbent will coordinate UNESCO’s Environmental Management System (EMS) and drive forward the mainstreaming of environmental sustainability into the Organization’s policies, practices and operations at global level, affecting not only administrative aspects but also programme delivery. In particular, the incumbent will:
Long Description
- Coordinate the development, implementation and operation of the organization-wide EMS and lead UNESCO to ISO 14001 certification in liaison with all relevant internal and external stakeholders, including through leveraging expertise from UNESCO programmes in the area of sustainability; monitor and analyse progress; identify any issues and follow-up actions and prepare recommendations for decision making; draft/review relevant documents and reports.
- Ensure monitoring and reporting of UNESCO’s key environmental performance indicator(KEPis), including through the coordination of the annual environmental inventory exercise; suggest measures to improve data quality and reporting and develop and deliver specific trainings for Headquarters and Field Office staff in this regard.
- Lead UNESCO’s climate-neutral strategy, including coordination of the internal carbon tax on air travel and carbon offsetting; monitor and manage the budget of the dedicated Special Account.
- Initiate and guide the alignment of internal policies, manuals and guidelines with all aspects of the UN Sustainability Management Strategy (Phase I) and support and advise ‘business owners’ and responsible units/colleagues across the Organization in this regard; propose and contribute to the mainstreaming of environmental considerations into all UNESCO programmes and projects in line with UN Sustainability Strategy (Phase II).
- Provide guidance and technical assistance to Field Offices to help them achieve environmental goals and targets at the country and regional level.
- Implement internal and external communications strategy; ensure continuous staff awareness, motivation and ownership of UNESCO’s environmental policy and performance through a variety of activities, tools and capacity-buildings while linking action, wherever possible, to relevant UNESCO programmes and projects; run behaviour change campaigns, organize workshops, seminars, etc. and make presentations on EMS topics/activities to a wide range of audiences; undertake visibility and outreach activities, including information and implication of Member States; seek and nurture partnerships.
- Serve as focal point for UN-wide initiatives and actively contribute to inter-organizational technical meetings, peer reviews and working groups chaired by UNEP and the UN Secretariat.
- Propose and coordinate other environmental activities in the framework of the EMS work, and constantly seek to innovate and improve environmental performance.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, environmental management, natural or social sciences, international relations or related field.
Work Experience:
- Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in environmental management or programme management in the area of sustainable development, of which at least two (2) years acquired at the international level.
- Proven experience in the conceptualization, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of projects related to environmental sustainability.
- Experience in designing/implementing an organizational Environmental Management System.
Skills and competencies:
- Strong organizational and coordination skills, ability to plan strategically and translate strategies into action.
- Proven ability to draft and edit clearly and concisely for a diverse range of audiences.
- Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, including ability to interact with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders with tact and discretion in a multicultural environment.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of key environmental management issues and of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Proven ability to gather, monitor and analyse environmental data.
- Advanced IT skills, including office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and collaboration (Teams, Sharepoint) tools.
Languages:
- Excellent knowledge (written and oral) of both English and French.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Specialized training or certification in ISO 14001, ISO 14031, EMAS or other Environmental Management Certification.
Work Experience:
- Relevant experience implementing an EMS in line with ISO 14001 standard in the United Nations System or other multilateral organization.
- Familiarity with the UN Greening the Blue Inventory/Reporting.
- Experience in preparing and reviewing technical environmental documents, plans and reports.
- Experience in financial/budget management.
Skills and competencies:
- Knowledge of UNESCO’s programmes and approved priorities, in particular in the area of environmental sustainability, and familiarity with the work and general functioning of UNESCO and international organizations in the UN system.
- Good knowledge of communication software (database, web-content management, image editing, etc.) and social media networks.
- Proven presentation and facilitation skills.
Languages:
- Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
“UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.”
“UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process”.