ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST, P4

Job Title : ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST, P4

Department/ Office : United Nations Environment Programme

Location : NAIROBI

Posting Period : 19 March 2013 - 18 April 2013

Job Opening number : 13-ECO-UNEP-27161-R-NAIROBI (E)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting And Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems

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. UNEP's Division of Environmental

Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing

technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy,

and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and

countries with economies in transition. The post is located in UNEP/DEPI at the Nairobi duty

station. Under the day-to-day supervision of the Senior Forest and Climate Change

Programme Officer, in close cooperation with the Head of the UNEP Green Economy

Initiative, and overall supervision of the Chief, Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit (TEU), the

incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Conceptualize and initiate the development of key reports and activities and events on the

economic value of forest ecosystem services for national economies, and the catalytic role of

REDD+ in maintaining and enhancing these values. 2. Coordinate and integrate work on

REDD+ in a green economy and private sector engagement into the development and

implementation of National Joint Programmes of the UN-REDD Programme and with other

UNEP units and with FAO and UNDP, as well as NGOs, international scientific centres and

similar organizations in a country or region. 3.Provide expert advice on programmatic and

policy issues related to role of sustainable land-use planning for REDD+ and a green

economy transition in developing countries, including on the topic of valuation of forest

ecosystem services. 4.Lead and/or participate in field missions to conceptualize support to

developing countries on green economy policies related to REDD+ and sustainable land-use,

upon country request. 5. Provide guidance and advice to Government officials as well as other

relevant stakeholders, including civil society and national and international consultants

engaged in the implementation of projects related to linkages between REDD+ and a Green

Economy. 6. Draft, edit and secure clearances for key documents and mission reports; ensure

that project interim and terminal reporting requirements are met. 7. Monitor the

implementation of activities under UN-REDD Programme work area on REDD+ and a Green

Economy at all stages of implementation, analyzing implementation difficulties and initiating

corrective actions. 8. Establish and maintain contacts and generate good will with current and

potential partners, fund managers and non-traditional sources of funds. 9. Translate

opportunities into concrete partnership activities, outputs and goals at the project and thematic

levels. 10. Analyse the objectives and scope of major international meetings and workshops.

11. Advise on UNEP's participation in and eventual contribution to such events. 12.Report on

events and propose and co-ordinate subsequent follow-up activities, and represent UNEP and

the UN-REDD Programme at key technical meetings and workshops. 13. Provide substantive

backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing

agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparation of documents. 14. Select and

supervise project consultants. 15. Perform any other relevant duties assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the global forest and climate change

debate; understanding of the REDD mechanism, ecosystem management and economics. Is

conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving

results; has excellent judgment, including in establishing and maintain working relations with

senior government officials; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication: Highly

developed communication skills (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational),

including the ability to present sensitive issues/positions and prepare reports on short notice,

and the ability to communicate complex topics in easily and widely understood manner.

Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork:

Ability to work collaboratively to achieve organizational goals in a multi-cultural, multiethnic

environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with

colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Planning and Organizing: Ability to identify

priorities, work to tight deadlines, handle concurrent projects and coordinate the work of

others. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Monitors and adjusts

plans and actions as necessary.Planning and organizing: Clear ability to plan and execute

complex undertakings such as organizing international conferences

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental economics,

agronomy, or economics. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying

experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in natural resource

economics, forest, climate change or ecosystem management, including at least three years at

the international level with key international organizations related to forests and climate with

emerging forest issues. Experience in policy development is required. Key publications on

environmental economics (preferably in relation to the green economy and forests) would be

an asset. Private sector experience would be an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For

theadvertised post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of any

otherofficial UN languages would be an asset.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment

which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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.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. In such cases,

please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical

assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat

is a non-smoking environment.

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.

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