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Executive Secretary UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

Bonn, Germany

Responsibilities

The Executive Secretary of CMS has overall responsibility for the operation of the Secretariat and the discharge of its functions as outlined in the Convention and as elaborated by the Conference of the Parties (COPs), the Standing Committee (StC), and the Scientific Council (ScC). With delegated authority given by the Executive Director, the Executive Secretary is responsible for all programmatic, budgetary, financial and human resources matters related to the Secretariat. The incumbent’s duties include the following:

  • Implementation of decisions of the COP and other bodies of the Convention, including:
    • initiating and supervising work required to achieve specific results;
    • entering cooperative arrangements with other entities, including intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, to implement decisions and to facilitate the implementation of the Convention.
  • Organization of and the provision of direction on substantive work of the Secretariat, including:
    • conceptualising, prioritising, planning and overseeing the work required from the Secretariat to prepare policy decisions to achieve Convention objectives;
    • developing for each meeting of the COP and the StC strategic objectives for the implementation and further development of the Convention and related Agreements.
  • Preparation of meetings of the COP, the StC, the ScC and Working Groups or Committees established under the Convention, and of negotiating conferences for Agreements under the Convention, and of technical workshops.
  • Liaison with non-Parties to encourage them to become Parties to the Convention and relevant Agreements under the Convention and organise meetings with high-ranking representatives of non-Party countries to encourage them to take action towards membership of the Convention and related Agreements.
  • Represent the CMS Secretariat at various fora and intergovernmental meetings, conferences, and UN processes.
  • Formulation of policies and procedures for the proper management of the CMS Secretariat by assigning and delegating responsibility to senior managers for the implementation of the agreed work programme, and planning with staff the distribution and coordination of major tasks.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven analytical capacity and in-depth knowledge in the various complex dimensions of environment and sustainable development; good research skills and ability to coordinate the production of reports and paper on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others; shows pride in work and in achievements and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems and challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Planning and Organisation: 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results, is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for changes and improvements; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political sciences, natural/environmental sciences, economics, public administration, environmental management or related field. A first level university degree in combination with extensive qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Over 15 years of progressively responsible experience, including experience in the field of environment and sustainable development. Profound management experience including human resources and financial management in a multicultural organization. Experience in strategy setting and implementation, international negotiations as well as institutions as well as programme and project planning and analyzes required. Work experience in senior officer assignments in the United Nations Common System or other international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French and Spanish will be an advantage.

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