| 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's Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (DELC) identifies synergies and promotes the substantive collaboration among Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). DELC also encourages interlinkages between UNEP's programme and those of MEAs. This post is located in UNEP/DELC at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall guidance of the Head, Freshwater and Marine Law and Governance Unit, the incumbent will: 1. Provide substantive advice on legal, policy and governance matters for integrated freshwater resources management by: (a) development and implementation of frameworks for the protection and sustainable management of freshwater. (b) development and implementation of water laws and policies, codes of conduct and norms; (c) provision of technical support to Governments on governance aspects of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); (d) strengthening and supporting reforms of national environmental institutions and regional cooperative mechanisms for water resources management; (e) provision of institutional and technical support for the environmental management of shared basins and aquifers. 2. Strengthening the capacities of stakeholders in water resources management by: (a) Providing advice and assistance to countries in their progressive development and implementation of freshwater governance systems; (b) building the capacity of regions and sub-regions in developing, implementing as well as enforcing freshwater law and policies; (c) developing and disseminating information on freshwater law and governance. (d) identifying or developing guidelines for capacity-building for monitoring compliance and enforcement; (e) assisting countries to negotiate, ratify and implement global, regional and sub-regional conventions and protocols; (f) facilitating regional and global consultations and negotiations on water resources management. 3. Providing substantive assistance in the preparation of freshwater governance and other papers for meetings organised by UNEP and the Division by: preparing project proposals, drafting terms of references and preparing meeting agendas; preparing technical and policy papers for the Senior Management Team (SMT) and Governing Council on water governance related issues, preparing analyses and follow-up actions on emerging issues related to MEAs, with emphasis on issues relevant to freshwater, taking into account the decisions of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) as well as those of MEA Conference of Parties/Meetings of Parties (COPs/MOPs) and outcomes of relevant international processes. 4. Providing substantive input to the preparation of DELC work-plans; Preparing UNEP's policy and position papers on law and governance matters for consideration at meetings of conventions. Preparing project proposals in support of the activities of the Unit, with a focus on areas and issues of relevance to the overall work programme of the Division and mandate of UNEP. 5. Promoting institutional partnerships for water resources management by: Contributing to implementation of UNEP's Water Policy and Strategy; Working closely with other UNEP divisions especially DEWA, DEPI, and the UNEP Regional Offices, in the development and implementation of water law and governance; Liaising with other United Nations bodies, other International Organizations and NGOs, including the private sector, as appropriate, in the development and implementation of freshwater law and governance; and providing support to regional networks in their efforts to promote integrated water resources management. 6. Providing substantive support and advice to DELC's interactions with external institutions through; a) participating in meetings; b) organizing expert group meetings, seminars etc. with relevant stakeholders; c) liaising with potential donors, co-financiers and other potential contributors and participating in appropriate meetings. 7. Design and conduct studies on matters relating to legal, policy institutional frameworks and governance for sustainable freshwater resources management, synthesize the lessons that emerge from such studies into governance and legal information. 8. Performing any other duties. |
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in the field of national and international freshwater resources law, governance and sustainable development. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a wide range of issues, including those of unique and complex technical and policy nature. Planning and Organizing: ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; to identify priority activities; to foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning and to monitor own work plan in a multiple priority environment. Communication: Excellent drafting and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to defend and explain complex issues related to freshwater management, governance and law with respect to key decisions and positions to staff and counterparts; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; to prepare project documents, strategy papers, briefing notes and other written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. Team work: good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders to achieve organizational goals; Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor. |
QUALIFICATIONS |
Education
Advanced University Degree in environmental management, freshwater resources management discipline, environmental law or related field or a first university degree with a relevant combination of professional and academic qualifications. |
Work Experience
At least seven years of experience in addressing international environmental issues, of which 5 years should be at the international level. Experience in research, environmental policy development, freshwater resources management and Multilateral Environmental Agreements issues are required. Working experience in developing countries is an asset. Familiarity with United Nations policies, procedures, practices and organizational structure is an advantage. |
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset. |
Other Skills
Excellent computer skills (MS Office, e-mail, internet) are required as well as ability to keep abreast in developments in the field of environmental law and governance. |
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