PROGRAMME OFFICER CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

Vacancy Announcement—Internal/External
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
POST TITLE AND LEVEL POST NUMBER DUTY STATION ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
INDICATIVE MINIMUM GROSS ANNUAL REMUNERATION CCD/11/P/INT&EXT/02
07 April 2011
PROGRAMME OFFICER CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE, P-4
519596
BONN / OTHER LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED
SECRETARIAT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)
USD 72,373 (with dependents)
USD 67,395 (without dependents)
INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT
APPOINTMENT LIMITED TO SERVICE WITH UNCCD
The objective of this Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas.
The functions of the secretariat are, among others, (a) to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies established under the Convention and to provide them with services as required; (b) to compile and transmit reports submitted to it; (c) to facilitate assistance to affected developing country Parties, on request, particularly those in Africa, in the compilation and communication of information required under the Convention; (d) to coordinate its activities with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies and conventions.
Regional Coordination Units (RCUs) are a part of, and under the direct supervision/coordination of the Regional Coordination Function (RCF) of the UNCCD Secretariat Headquarters based in Bonn. The basic functions of the RCF, including all RCUs, are the facilitation and coordination of the programme of work of the UNCCD institutions at the regional, subregional and national levels; bridging up the communication between country Parties and the HQs; and to implement UNCCD policies in the regions, work closely with the country Parties, and carry out instructions given by the HQs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Coordinator Regional Coordination Functions Unit (RCF) the incumbent will:
1. Facilitate the delivery at the regional, sub-regional and national levels of the programme of work of the UNCCD institutions:
a. Coordinate the provision of technical and financial support to affected country Parties, including through partnerships with relevant regional and international organizations, in (a) the review, evaluation and implementation of action programmes at national, subregional regional levels in line with the 10-year strategic plan (the Strategy) and their mainstreaming into sustainable development plans and policies; and (b) the development of integrated investment frameworks for effective implementation of action programmes and other measures to combat desertification;
b. Coordinate the provision of technical and financial support to affected country Parties of the region, in the compilation and the communication of information on the implementation of the Convention and the Strategy, and in assessing progress achieved; assist in the preparation of national, subregional and regional analysis reports in view of the review process by the Committee for the Review of Implementation of the Convention (CRIC);
c. Coordinate the provision of substantive and financial support for the establishment of mechanisms and thematic networks for the collection and exchange of scientific and technical information in the region, and facilitate its integration at global level;
d. Ensure and coordinate the assistance to country Parties and other stakeholders in the region, in the implementation of awareness raising activities and policy options for sustainable land management;
SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION
SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION DE LUTTE CONTRE LA DESERTIFICATION
UNITED NATIONS
NATIONS UNIES
e. Facilitate the participation of civil society, including the private sector, into national, subregional and regional activities and processes relating to sustainable land management.
2. Facilitate the establishment, and support the effective implementation of the regional coordination mechanisms, including the regional committees and the Thematic Programme Networks (TPNs), as relevant;
3. Prepare, discuss and coordinate the implementation of work plans and programmes for Annex V in the light of the 4-year work plans and 2-year work programmes of the secretariat; advises on related resource allocation for the timely delivery of outputs; Carry out other programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit (including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget and programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting);
4. Perform other duties at the request of the RCF Coordinator.
REQUIREMENTS
• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environment, economics, agriculture, international relations, development or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in management, development activities, environment or related area, out of which three (3) years at international level related to economic and social development in developing countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Fluency in oral and written English, including excellent drafting skills. Knowledge of other UN official languages, particularly Russian, is a strong asset.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Professionalism:
• Knowledge of the socioeconomic, environmental and sustainable development issues in in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Experience in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects/programmes/actions relating to sustainable land management
• Capacity to analyse complex situations and to develop well-reasoned, innovative solutions to challenging issues.
• Capacity to coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of professional staff.
• Ability to provide sound policy advice to managers.
Commitment to Continuous Learning:
• Willingness to keep abreast of and promote new developments in the appropriate professional field.
Communication:
• Ability to act as an effective spokesperson internally and externally.
• The capacity to draft clear concise high quality reports or documents relating to area of professional expertise.
Technological Awareness:
• Good conceptual understanding of technology in the workplace and ability to use relevant software and other applications and equipment relevant to the post.
Teamwork:
• Ability to establish good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural organization.
• Ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others through the demonstration of leadership.
Client orientation:
• Ability to interact and engage in discussions with people of all levels including senior level officials and stake holders to provide guidance, make decisions or seek solutions to issues while remaining calm even under pressure.
All applicants are requested to complete a United Nations Personal History form (P.11) form available online at
http://www.unccd.int/secretariat/vacancies/vacancies.php or at your local UN Office.
Interested UN staff members at the level of the post or one level below should attach their last two up-to-date PAS. Provision of the PAS is the responsibility of the applicant, and is MANDATORY for further consideration for this position. Due to the volume of applications all internal candidates and only those external candidates under serious consideration will be acknowledged.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED as per ST/AI/1999/8.
All applications should be sent to: UNCCD, Attention: Recruitment, Ref. CCD/11/P/INT&EXT/02, P.O. Box 260129, D-53153 Bonn, Germany, Telefax: +49 228 815 2898/99 or by e-mail to staffing@unccd.int. No telephone calls will be returned. Please address your application as indicated above and please do not address your application to or copy it to an individual at the secretariat.
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.
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 Executive Secretary reserves the right to appoint a candidate at one level below the advertised level of the post.
PLEASE INDICATE THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER ON THE ENVELOPE OR THE FAX, AND ON THE APPLICATION. Date of issuance: 07 February 2011