SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

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. The post is located in UNEP’s Southern Africa Sub-Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa. The main objective of the office is to respond to the needs and expectations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in environmental issues specifically supporting countries in the uptake of solutions to the triple planetary crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste, in a manner that unlocks socio-economic challenges within the SADC Countries. Under the direct supervision of the Director, UNEP Africa Office the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties;

1.Development and Implementation of the Programme of Work Southern Africa region: - Ascertain and maintain contact with the Government of Southern African countries on UNEP programmatic work in the countries. - Identify national priorities and trends to support UNEP programmatic working the countries. - Coordinate and facilitate cooperation with the United Nations entities in the region particularly with United Nations Resident Coordinators (UNRCs) with regard to developing and implementing joint programmes; - Represent UNEP in the UN Country Teams during design and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) and during the preparation of Common Country Analysis (CCA); - Working with key stakeholders and Partnerships: (i) Government counterparts in SADC Member States; (ii) Regional bodies and technical partners; (iii) UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinators; (iv) Donors and development partners; Administrative and Operational Matters: (i) Staffing structure and key personnel issues; (ii) Budgeting; (iii) Office management; Provide adequate support to the Regional Director's Team related activities. 2.Liaison with Secretariats, Regional and Sub-regional Bodies: - Liaise with regional and subregional organizations such as the AUDA/NEPAD Secretariat, Pan-African Parliament and SADC Secretariat and other organizations in support of implementing environmental initiatives and programmes in the sub region Including at country level. 3.Facilitate South South Cooperation: - Engage and explore opportunities with the Government of South Africa for a country programme including those for South South cooperation among African countries with emphasis on facilitation of capacity building and technology transfer. - Liaise with UNEP Divisions for coordinated intervention and delivery of UNEP's technical and scientific assistance to South Africa and other SADC countries. 4.Resource Mobilization: - Provide donor relations support and promote strategic partnership. - Undertake donors mapping and prepare donor profiles, define and implement strategic partnership framework. - Develop positive contacts and working relations with donors and all relevant partners. - Explore resource mobilization opportunities at the country and sub regional levels from all appropriate sources - Government, bilateral, multilateral and private sector. - Identify issues of strategic interest in which UNEP has a comparative advantage. - Analyze donor trends (donor policies, sectoral and geographic preferences, etc.) - Research and develop project concepts to approach potential source of funding. 5.Communication and Liaison: - Keep the Regional Office of Africa updated on relevant environment and development matters in South Africa in particular and the SADC sub-region as a whole. - Facilitate a rapid, informed and timely response by UNEP to emerging issues in South Africa and other SADC countries; provide specific communication and outreach support. - Participate in and backstop related processes which will contribute to ensuring the visibility of UNEP in South Africa and other SADC countries. - Lead team members' efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate, and share the data they need. 6.Perform other relevant duties as required by the Regional Director.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UN system, including the UN common country programming process; Ability to manage complexities and adapt to changing environment in the One UN context; Focus on impact and results; Ability to operate effectively across organizational and country boundaries. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and 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. COMMUNICATION: Ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively, including ability to defend and explain difficult issues; Ability to draft/edit a variety of reports on UN policy issues and strategies relevant to own work. 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: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural , multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Ability to lead and gain assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor; Ability to work independently and to participate effectively in a team based information sharing environment. LEADERSHIP: Establishes and maintains relationship with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Ability to develop strategies and empower others to accomplish objectives and solve problems; Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Ability to appraise performance fairly and mentor staff; Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent), in environmental policy or science, natural resources management, development planning or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience maybe 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.

Not available.

Minimum of (10) ten years of experience in environmental or natural resources management is required. Five (5) years, of the ten (10) years of experience at the international level is required. Experience in environmental/natural resources management, in a UN context or similar international organization in a developing region of the world is desirable. Experience in implementing country-level or organizational environmental policies, guidelines and standards is desirable. Experience of working in the context of delivering as one UN and of collaboration with UN Country Teams is desirable. Experience in resource mobilization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

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

Initial appointment against this post is for a period of one year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTAlimited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent 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 fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. When completing the PHP, 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, 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. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as affiliated personnel (for example as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. 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. 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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.