DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT (Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science), D2 at United Nations Environment Programme

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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 Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science provides strategic coordination of science advice that informs the organization's decisions, policies, interventions and publications. In this capacity, the Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science performs the functions with the support of the Office of Science. The Office for Science provides timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental assessments, data, analytics, intelligence and information for policy-setting, decision- making and action planning for sustainable development. It monitors, analyses and reports on the state of the global environment, assessing policies and trends and providing support to early warning services on environmental variables and emerging environmental threats. It spearheads UN-wide monitoring and reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. This position is located in the Office of Science of the UN Environment Programme at the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will be a member of the UNEP Senior Management Team (SMT). Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science reports to the Executive Director. Within delegated authority, Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science will be responsible for the following:

• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Office, determine priorities, and allocate resources for the completion of outputs/results and their timely delivery, in cooperation and coordination with other UN Environment Programme divisions and offices. • Oversee activities undertaken by the Office as a contribution to the UNEP Programme of Work and Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), including preparation, execution and monitoring of office budget, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators and other administrative tasks. • Ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely manner and co-ordinate work in the different areas both within the Office and other UN Environment divisions and offices, in accordance with UNEP's “delivery model” and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate, working closely with UNEP Regional Offices to support the UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, as per the UNEP Delivery Model and adherence to the principles of “One UNEP”. • Coordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to donors, UNEP Environment Assembly, United Nations intergovernmental bodies and other scientific inter- governmental forums as appropriate. • Manage, guide, develop, encourage and train staff under his/her supervision; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Office and across UNEP; • Chair meetings, seminars, on substantive-related issues; represent the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences; provide programmatic/substantive expertise and, when appropriate, hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Report to UNEP Senior Management Team, intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Work collaboratively with Regional Offices to mobilize resources from global and regional sources for project funding. Clear the allocation of the necessary financial and human resources for the delivery of results related to the strategic objectives set by the UNEP leadership and its senior management team. • Ensures close and effective engagement with all UNEP Offices to support the co-design projects that contain regional and national components. Ensures accountability for delivery of project results that fall within their division's expertise and mandate. • As the Chief Scientist the Director of the Office of Science serves as a primary advisor on science: setting scientific priorities for the organisation, including advising on emerging issues and science and ensures credibility and quality of data, information and knowledge and products are aligned with organisational goals. • Lead on foresight, analysis and intelligence initiatives and delivers updates / research papers and syntheses on new and emerging scientific issues to the Senior Management Team and the organization more generally, as needed. • Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Knowledge of the environment and development field in general and in particular in the areas of analysing the state of the global environment, providing environmental data, knowledge and expertise into early warning information and assessing environmental trends; proven ability to produce reports and papers on scientific issues; ability to review and edit the work of others. 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.

 

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

 

Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. LEADERSHIP: 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 improvement; 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. JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree, PhD or equivalent degree) in any of the earth sciences (geology, ecology, geography, hydrology, atmospheric science, etc), environmental sciences, biology, social sciences environmental management, engineering, or other related area 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

PhD in earth or environmental science and or any related environment field is desirable.

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of applied sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, environment engineering, environmental geography or environmental health is required. Experience in programme and organizational management (human resources, budget, law) in government, intergovernmental entities and/or United Nations, universities and research institutions and non-governmental organizations at a senior-level is required. Experience in environmental policy analysis, formulation and implementation, and/or providing technical assistance on environment to policy makers on the environment is required. Working experience in a management and leadership position at senior level is required. Experience in the area of the environmental science-policy interface is desirable. A publication record of peer reviewed scientific articles and/or papers is desirable

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