Job Opening

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. This temporary position is located in UNEP’s Science Division which is, responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment.

Under the overall direction of the Chief of the Capacity Development and Innovation Branch and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environment Statistics Unit. The incumbent will Support methodological development for obtaining relevant data, including for water (SDG indicator 6.6.1, and ocean statistics; conduct analysis and participate in technical advisory activities for national capacity building, as well as provide guidance and advice to other departments, and field experts.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the development of appropriate methods for obtaining relevant data, including for water, and ocean statistics (marine litter: Global data platform IBM, case studies in 4 countries, 14.1.1.b).
• Ensure the quality of collected data for accuracy, consistency and comparability.
• Plan and conduct analytical programmes of work in relevant areas of statistics, conduct analysis and participating in technical advisory activities for national capacity building, including Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the SDG Voluntary National Reviews (VNR).
• Undertake methodological research with regard to standards on concepts, definitions and classifications to assist countries and other constituents in strengthening their statistical development.
• Develop new or improved statistical methods and quantitative models for analyses and projections.
• Provides guidance and advice to other departments, field experts, etc., in the planning, operation and evaluation of statistical programmes and projects. Plan and coordinate seminars, workshops, expert meetings, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:
Knowledge of statistical principles and practices. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ensure that divisional and project outputs maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of project management; 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

TEAMWORK:
Demonstrated team building and team leadership skills. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, in order to achieve organizational goals; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; shares credit for team accomplishments and
accepts join responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:
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.

ACCOUNTABILITY:
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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, economics, environment 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data or related area is required.
Experience with international negotiations related to the Sustainable Development Goals Global Indicator Framework, and the Statistical Commission is highly desirable.
Experience in capacity development on Environment Statistics is desirable.
Experience in developing and implementing statistical methodologies is desirable.
Experience in making decisions related to the management of project budgets is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• In view of the current COVID-19 crisis, the working arrangement will be through telecommuting.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Internal Applicants – 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, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.