JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICER TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Transcription

1 JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICER TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) General Information Post Title: Chemicals and Waste Conventions Officer Unit: Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions / Governance Branch Location: Geneva, Switzerland Duration: One-year fixed-term appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance, recommendation by respective office and donor agreement. Maximum duration 3 years. Background information on United Nations Environment and requesting Unit The United Nations Environment is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The position is located in the Governance Branch of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. It is called BRS Secretariat and is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Branch is responsible for the overall management of the meetings of the conferences of the parties and those of their subsidiary bodies, among other programmatic functions. The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will support the planning, organization and running of, and the follow up to, the meetings of the conferences of the parties, taking place in May 2019, the meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the conventions and bureaux meetings taking place in 2018 and The conferences of the parties are the governing bodies of the conventions and are composed of governments that are parties to the conventions. Over 1,200 participants from over 170 countries are assembled, as well as from United Nations organizations, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, academia and industry. The conferences of the parties constitute the main forum for multilateral negotiations on chemicals and waste issues and advance the implementation of the conventions through the decisions they take, among others, on scientific, policy and budgetary matters. Why is Junior Professional Officer requested/needed? The JPO is needed to support the Secretariat in the planning, organization, and running of, and the follow up to, the meetings of the conferences of the parties, of the subsidiary bodies of the conventions and of bureaux. The position will allow the JPO to experience the meetings of the conferences of the parties in May 2019 and the meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the conventions, from the preparation of the meetings to their running. If prolonged, the full two-year cycle of work and relevant follow up work in the intersessional period will be experienced, as well as the next meetings of the conferences of the parties in 2021.

2 Supervision Direct supervision by: Title supervisor: Unit supervisor: Location supervisor: Mr. David Ogden Chief Governance Branch, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Geneva, Switzerland Address, telephone, fax, and signature of supervisor: International Environment House Chemin des Anémones 1219 Châtelaine Geneva Switzerland Tel david.ogden@brsmeas.org Content and methodology of the supervision The JPO will be directly supervised by the Chief of the Governance Branch, as the first reporting officer, who will provide daily guidance and supervision to the work to be carried out. The Chief of the Governance Branch will thus be in the Performance Assessment System, holding discussions with the JPO to prepare work plans, setting out overall goals and desired results; midterm evaluations and final evaluations. General objectives, desired results and anticipated issues are discussed beforehand with the JPO. Regular feedback and advice will be provided and dialogue on overall performance and job satisfaction held on a quarterly basis. The JPO is expected to carry out the expected duties under general supervision and to consult with the supervisor on issues of policy or other sensitive matters. Final results of each set of activities are reviewed for attainment of objectives and quality of work. In addition, the JPO will work closely with the meeting coordinators of the meetings of the conferences of the parties and of their subsidiary bodies, including on daily assignments and work sharing. The JPO is also expected to work with other staff members of the BRS Secretariat, as necessary, in the fulfillment of her/his functions. A suitable mentor for the JPO would additionally be identified from outside the BRS Secretariat in order to provide hands-on experience and advice on career development and planning in the United Nations. First appraising officer: Mr. David Ogden Title first appraising officer: Chief Unit first appraising officer: Governance Branch, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Location first appraising officer: Geneva Second appraising officer: Mr. Carlos Martin-Novella Title second appraising officer: Deputy Executive Secretary Unit second appraising officer: Office of the Executive Secretary; Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Location second appraising officer: Geneva

3 Duties, responsibilities and output expectations Terms of reference 1. Provides programmatic and administrative support to the organization of meetings of the conferences of the parties, subsidiary bodies and bureaux, including preparing agendas, meeting documents, presentations and reports; and handling logistics and meeting arrangements; 2. Provides substantive support for the preparation, review and updating of work plans, budgets, standard operating procedures and funding proposals; planning of schedules and processes; 3. Assists in planning and facilitating regional preparatory meetings, training and awareness-raising workshops and webinars in collaboration with regional centres and other partners; participates in assigned activities and makes presentations on assigned topics; participates in field missions and provides substantive and administrative support to workshops and meetings; 4. Carries out analytical research and analysis on selected aspects pertaining to a meeting or any relevant programmes of the Branch; participates in survey initiatives and information collection; reviews, analyses and interprets responses; identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions; 5. Works with clients and partners (parties and observers to the conventions, bureau members, experts, committee members, United Nations organizations, regional centres, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders) to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, including by ensuring high quality communication with regards to correspondence and requests for technical information and advice. Output expectations Agendas, documents, reports and presentations for meetings of the conferences of the parties and those of their subsidiary bodies; Work plans, budgets, standard operating procedures and funding proposals for the Secretariats programmes of work; Organization, facilitation of and participation in regional preparatory meetings, training and awareness-raising workshops and webinars; Research and analysis in the areas of sound chemicals and waste management, including surveys and preliminary conclusions; Interactions and cooperation with partners to support the work of the BRS Secretariat in developing, implementing and evaluating assigned programmes/projects. Travel Travel envisaged during first year of assignment: participation in meetings of subsidiary bodies to the conventions. Travel envisaged during second year of assignment: participation in one regional preparatory meeting of the 2019 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. Training and Learning Elements The Secretariat has a Training Task Force, which has prepared a package of training for incoming staff members. It includes orientation on how to access trainings in the Secretariat; United Nations training online; and training at the United Nations Office in Geneva Staff Development and Learning Section.

4 Secretariat-specific training will include on the job training, individual and group sessions on areas such as scientific, legal and policy aspects related to the conventions, information management in the Secretariat, website updates, project management, etc. The Secretariat has developed Standard Operating Procedures for most of its operations, which are publicly available on the web and will provide guidance to the incumbent. Training activities of the JPO include the completion of relevant UN mandatory training, on the job training as well as relevant training courses provided by the UNOG Staff Development and Learning Section, including language training and other work-related training. Trainings will be incorporated into the electronic Performance Assessment System work plans of the JPO. Learning elements: After one year the JPO is able to: Understand the work of the Secretariat and in particular the organization of intergovernmental negotiations in the framework of multilateral environmental agreements; Contribute to the preparation of meeting documents, reports, presentations, etc.; Support the organization of meetings and workshops; Establish contacts in and outside the United Nations system and strengthen his/her organizational skills. After two years the JPO is able to: Gain a broader understanding of multicultural work-environment and will be familiar with rules and regulations under the conventions and United Nations Environment; Prepare thorough and well-reasoned written documents for meetings under limited supervision, in particular: meeting documents, formal meeting reports, project proposals / fundraising proposals; Prepare Secretariat work plans, budgets and Standard Operating Procedures; Coordinate the organization of workshops and meetings related to substantive and administrative arrangements; Understand the major topics and approaches related to chemicals and waste management in an international setting. Qualifications and experience Education Advanced university degree (Master s degree or equivalent) in physical or environmental sciences, chemistry, public policy, business or public administration, international relations, law or related area. Working Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in environmental sciences, chemical safety, waste management, law, programme management, conference organization or related field is required. Experience of working in an international setting and on environmental issues is desirable.

5 Language English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset. Competencies Professionalism Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to organizing international negotiations, meetings and conferences, involving national governments and other stakeholders. Excellent English writing and editing skills and experience with preparing minutes and meeting reports. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to apply United Nations rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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. Communication 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 twoway communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Client Orientation Considers all those to whom services are provided to be clients and seeks to see things from the clients point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients environment to stay informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timelines for delivery of products or services to clients. Living conditions at duty station Geneva is classified by the United Nations as a headquarters ( H ) duty station and hosts many UN organizations among others in the areas of environment, health, human rights, refugees and telecommunication. Geneva is a comparatively safe place. Housing in Geneva is very difficult to find and expensive, so research must be undertaken well in advance.