Terms of Reference, Sustainable Development and Green Economy Officer, UNEP Addis AbabaLiaison Office
Position: Sustainable Development and Green Economy Officer
Position Location: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)Addis AbabaLiaison Office
inAddis Ababa,Ethiopia.
Position Duration: March 2011 to March 2013 (24 months contract)
Vacancy Announcement Date: January 10th 2010
Deadline for Applications: February 15th 2010
Background
The UNEP Addis Ababa Liaison Office was established in July 2001, as an outpost of the Regional Office for Africa (ROA). It is charged with the duties of representing UNEP at the Headquarters of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). It also serves as the UNEP country office forEthiopia.
The Addis Ababa Liaison Office is also mandated with initiating and facilitating programmatic collaboration and partnership between the UNEP Divisions on one hand, and the AU, UNECA and the Government of Ethiopia on the other. It also develops tailor-made joint programmes and projects in the UNEP priority areas of work for implementation in close collaboration with partners including the AU, UNECA, the UN Country Team and the Government of Ethiopia.
Responsibilities
This position is located in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Office inAddis Ababa,Ethiopia. Under the direct supervision of UNEP’s Representative toEthiopia/Head of Liaison Office to AU and UNECA, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:
1. analyze trends and emerging issues in sustainable development, green economy and other related issues, and in this regard identify and advise on areas of potential collaboration between Africa-China in the context of UNEP’s priority area of work.:
2. work towards mainstreaming the environment, climate change and green economy agenda at national and regional levels, including in forums involving Africa and China by, among others, developing a proposal for the theme of the 5th Ministerial meeting of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that will be held in2012 inBeijing, to be devoted to green Economy and sustainable development, and subsequently proposing a draft strategy for discussion;
3. encourage green investment fromChinato Africa by, among others, identifying and proposing green business opportunities for Chinese investment in Africa, including investments in the environment and climate change initiatives of UNEP such as "Green Economy forAfrica"
4. carry out basic research on thematic areas of interest, and contribute to the preparation of various written outputs including draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, in relation to among others, the forth issue of Sustainable Development Report on Africa, and the thematic review reports for the 2012-2013 implementation cycle of the Commission of Sustainable Development (CSD)
5. provide administrative and substantive support in the organization of meetings, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics for important events, including the African Regional Implementation mechanism for CSD-20, and the Regional Workshop on Institutional and Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development.
6. perform other duties as required.
In his/her work the incumbent should give particular emphasis to the ‘Green Economy’ agenda of UNEP, which is an important emerging concept of the agency and a proposed platform for development in the future. Emphasis should also be given to the six thematic areas of work for UNEP, namely climate change, disasters and conflicts, ecosystem management, environmental governance, harmful substances and hazardous waste, and resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production.
In this regard, the incumbent will also be required to work on upcoming global events including but not limited to the
- 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FoCAC) that will be held in2012 inBeijing, China,
- the 7th African Development Forum on Climate change and development that will be held in October2010 inAddis Ababa,Ethiopia
- the UNECA Council of Ministers meeting that will be held March2011 inAddis Ababa,Ethiopia
Competencies
Good planning, organizational, research and analytical skills. Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Good communication skills both written and spoken as well as ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports in English; and interest in having two-way communication; demonstration of openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; ability of communicating and interacting with different sectors. Teamwork: working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; soliciting input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; and willingness to learn from others. Ability to work under pressure with strict deadlines for assignments.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Applicants should have an advanced university degree in environmental sciences, environmental management, international development or other related disciplines, or a first university degree with a relevant combination of professional and academic qualifications.
Work Experience
At least 5 years of practical working experience, in areas related to the priorities of UNEP, namely climate change, ecosystem management, environmental governance, hazardous substances and wastes, and resource efficiency. Knowledge of and experience in the global sustainable development agenda and the emerging green economy approach will be an advantage.
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of another UN working language is an asset.
Other Skills
Project management skills: Ability to assist in designing projects including development of project documents (that include monitoring and success indicator factors), work plans and budgets would be advantageous. Manage/interact with people.
Technology Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, Internet, etc.
Application information
Applications should be addressed to:
Ms Wang Guoqin
11 A Datun Road, Chaoyang District,Beijing, 100101China
Email: iemp@cern.ac.cn
Tel(Fax): 86-10-64889031