| Description |
Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP is one of three implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), alongside the World Bank and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The GEF helps developing countries and those with economies in transition to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits in six focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters, ozone layer depletion, land degradation and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This post is located in the Liaison Office of DGEF, United Nations Environment Programme, in Washington DC. Under the supervision of the Director, Division of GEF Coordination (DGEF) and overall supervision of the Deputy Executive Director of UNEP, the incumbent will: 1. Supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) Secretariat and providing management, coordination, and administrative support to the Panel by: (a) Overseeing the organization of STAP meetings, including developing agendas, arranging meeting facilities, and preparation of minutes and meeting reports and meeting follow-up. (b) Assisting in organizing and preparing STAP documents and distributing them to STAP members; (c) Supervising the editing, publication and dissemination of STAP papers; (d) Providing guidance to GEF staff on administrative and financial support needed by the STAP Secretariat; and (e) Assisting in providing support for STAP, through helping identify STAP candidates and relevant scientific and technical networks. 2. Helping to organize and oversee the interaction between STAP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council, GEF Secretariat, and Implementing Agencies, by: (a) Following-up on STAP's contribution to GEF operational strategies and projects, and reviewing compliance with STAP's guidelines for technical reviews of GEF projects; (b) Organizing and overseeing the distribution of project documentation, and recommending revisions to STAP's procedures for project document preparation and distribution; (c) Arranging for STAP's detailed selective review of GEF projects, including discussing with the Implementing Agencies necessary information and modalities for such reviews; (d) Keeping the STAP chairperson informed about the views of Council members and assisting in preparing drafts for the Chairperson of STAP'S report to the council; and (e) Ensuring that there is adequate consultation between STAP and the GEF Secretariat and GEF Agencies and other partners on their respective work on strategic scientific and technical issues. 3. Appraising STAP members of strategic scientific and technical issues affecting GEF policies, operational strategies, and programmes, by: (a) Identifying, reviewing and recommending to STAP, policy, strategic and operational issues requiring STAP's analysis and advice; (b) Preparing background papers for STAP discussions, including consolidating and synthesizing issues and options; (c) Developing cooperative activities with scientific bodies and conventions related to STAP work (d) Providing substantive comments on STAP's papers and reviews 4. Assist in mobilization of scientific and technical expertise in the GEF through STAP, its working groups and Network, so that STAP functions as a conduit between the GEF and the scientific community at large, by: (a) Assessing and finalizing recommendations of nominees for members of STAP, its working groups and consultants (b) Promoting the participation of STAP members in international scientific initiatives, including proposing and developing cooperative activities between STAP and other scientific organizations and panels, and (c) Informing STAP on major scientific and technical activities undertaken by UNEP and other UN agencies, and identifying opportunities for their participation in STAP ad-hoc working groups. |
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to interact with the scientific community at the highest levels of expertise. Knowledge of the GEF and it's implementing agencies, including UNEP, and extensive knowledge of issues in the context of GEF activities. Ability to advise senior management and other senior officials on approaches and techniques to address highly complex issues; strong programme management, monitoring skills; ability to work under pressure; Planning and organizing: Proven ability to plan and organize programme of work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of STAP into the GEF work programme ensuring timely delivery of results. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches tasks to skills. Managing performance: Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Leadership: Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions between the various partners; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. |
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