Environmental Affairs Officer (Temporary)

Responsibilities

The Environmental Affairs Officer will primarily be responsible for the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)/ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and all UNODC field office locations, reporting in the context of the Greening the Blue initiative, and implementation of the UN’s Climate Action Plan. Within the assigned authority, the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: ？ Support the Chief, GSS in the office’s environmental policy and objectives (including directives, annual Mission Environmental Statement, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.) ？ Coordinate and manage the development, implementation and operation of an Environmental Management System for UNOV/UNODC and UNODC field office locations. ？ Monitor and analyse the EMS implementation, review relevant documents and reports and make adjustments, as required. ？ Perform the coordination work of an operational EMS working group, representing key stakeholders during the EMS implementation; perform assignments on information collation and needs assessment, in collaboration with relevant parties within the UN system, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN SUN system/GHG (Greenhouse Gas) monitoring and the Department of Operational Support (DOS), the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) by liaising, planning, and facilitating workshops, and other interactive methods in developing EMS plan, policy, and documentations required for the ISO 14001 certification. ？ Collect data related to carbon emissions from various sources, work on mitigation strategies for its reduction, conduct energy audits and provide advice on energy saving strategies. ？ Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources to support the formation of all aspects of the EMS. ？ Collect and analyse data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. ？ Assist in the development of the EMS specification to define objectives, formalize actions, and build key performance indicators for monitoring progress, assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, including coordination with other Vienna-based organizations. ？ Undertake survey initiatives, design data collection tools, review, analyse and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare recommendations for decision making for the steering group. ？ Prepare schedule and cost estimates for implementation of the EMS, as well as various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications etc. Provide support in identifying EMS related projects and coordinate with relevant stakeholders. ？ Provide support in developing a communication strategy and plan for all outreach activities, conduct training workshops, seminars, etc. suggest activities to facilitate staff’s behavioural changes for improved environmental sustainability, make presentations on EMS topics/activities to a wide audience and chair meetings and task forces. ？ Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports. ？ Conduct environmental assessments and surveys of UNOV/UNODC operations, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). ？ Produce and update the annual Greening the Blue reporting including data collection from the field offices. ？ Produce and/or update the implications of the UN’s Climate Action Plan on UNOV/UNODC’s operations. ？ Develop content and layout for the local Climate Action Plan – EMS for UNOV and UNODC field offices. ？ Manage, coordinate and monitor implementation of the EMS, including data collection and reporting. ？ Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon on UNOV/UNODC for Greening the Blue report. ？ Submit periodic reports on environmental issues to the Chief GSS. ？ Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the office. Awareness and Training: ？ Promote awareness on environmental issues. ？ Provide an environmental briefing to all personnel including new and field office personnel during their induction training. Coordination and Partner Relations: ？ Liaise on environmental issues with local buildings management office as well as other relevant United Nations bodies (UNEP, DOS, DMSPC) and other UN agencies with the goal of ensuring the most accurate and most current data input for Greening the Blue for all UNOV/UNODC offices. Supply Chain Planning: ？ Start the process of defining and establishing processes and procedures at UNOV/UNODC including its field offices for their supply chain plans in the new Umoja Supply Chain Planning Tool (SCPT) encompassing demand and sourcing plans. ？ Start developing and implementing methodologies and tools to enable effective execution of supply chain and sourcing logistic plans to formulate UNOV/UNODC specific Standard Operating Procedures. ？ Carry out any other work-related tasks as assigned by the Chief, GSS.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Has good understanding of environmental issues, with a particular knowledge on environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment. Has proven ability to organize and service intergovernmental bodies and technical meetings. Has ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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 ensures equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental management, science, engineering or related area is required. A first university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the environmental management field with a national government/administration, an environmental Institute, a large company or international organization is required. Work experience in project planning, evaluation and oversight of environmental compliance is desirable. Experience in coordination of environmental management within the United Nations System and representation in interagency network is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.