Job 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.

At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development. A key agreement opened for signature at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention has three objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal, Canada and is administered by UNEP.

This post is located in the Secretariat of the CBD, within the Implementation Support Division, (ISD), Monitoring Review and Reporting Unit (MRR). Under the general guidance of the Director of the Implementation Support Division and the direct supervision of the Head of the MRR Unit, the incumbent will carry out the following functions: Responsibilities

A) Provides objective scientific, technical and policy analyses and reviews and expert advice to facilitate decision making by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its subsidiary bodies, including through synthesizing information from scientific literature and CBD Parties on monitoring, implementation and scientific assessment and preparing and writing scientific and technical assessment reports, draft decisions and recommendations and other documents and publications.
B) Facilitates multilateral negotiations at the meetings of the COP and its subsidiary bodies and prepares and services meetings of experts, including meetings of Ad Hoc Technical Expert Groups established by the COP.
C) Facilitates the engagement of relevant experts and stakeholders, ensuring multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to the development, application and review of indicators and the monitoring of progress in the implementation of biodiversity objectives.
D) Promotes cooperation with other relevant organizations, conventions and agreements at the international level, including the United Nations Statistical Commission, GEOBON and the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, with a view to supporting coherent and synergistic monitoring across the conventions, the Sustainable Development Goals, other multi-lateral environment agreements and other international monitoring initiatives.
E) Supports and contributes to the implementation of relevant COP decisions and the application of relevant guidance or guidelines developed under the Convention, in particular supporting monitoring, review and reporting of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its monitoring framework, including through the identification of needs and priorities of Parties to the Convention, the preparation of relevant implementation support materials and tools, the design and organization of capacity building activities and online materials, developing partnerships, and by enabling technical and scientific cooperation among Parties and other stakeholders.
F) Supports and participates in relevant activities to increase awareness, understanding and action by Parties and stakeholders related to monitoring, indicators and assessment of progress, in particular to promote cross-sectoral cooperation.
G) Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
H) Performs any other duties as assigned. Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Proven analytical capacity and in-depth knowledge of the various complex dimensions of environment and sustainable development; good research skills and ability to coordinate the production of reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others, Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management, Shows pride in work and in achievements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; 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.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Proven ability to plan and organize work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of the Division into the Secretariat work programme; ability to organize and service intergovernmental bodies and technical meetings. 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.

TEAMWORK: Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with governments. 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 (Masters or equivalent) in sustainable development, biological or environmental sciences, economics, statistics, public policy, natural resources management, social sciences or related field 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 five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in work related to the development and application of biodiversity indicators and monitoring, and/or environmental indicators and monitoring, and the preparation of scientific and technical assessment reports is required.

Three (3) years\' experience at the international level is required.

Experience in supporting multilateral negotiations and intergovernmental processes is required.

Experience in the United Nations System or any other similar international organization is desirable.

Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN 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 Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants - When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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