Principal Coordination Officer

This post is located in UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, at the Nairobi duty station. The Coordinator will oversee the work of a small core team in FAO and UNEP, which manages the implementation of the core activities of FAO and UNEP as co-lead agencies of the Decade. She/he will also manage the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the UN Decade, based on decisions of the Executive Board of the Fund. The Coordinator will report to the UN Decade Strategy Group, a group of senior staff in FAO and UNEP.
Responsibilities

Provide thought leadership on the UN Decade and its implementation and represent the UN Decade lead agencies in key processes and meetings.
Liaise with and represent the lead agencies vis-à-vis donors, Member States, collaborating organizations and other partner organizations, and at key events.
Coordinate the planning and implementation of the work of the FAO and UNEP core team, including leading the Secretariat for the Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
Report progress, results and outcomes of the UN Decade to main donors and oversee the preparation of an annual update report to the High- Level Political Forum, and oversee the preparation of the Secretary-General’s report on the UN Decade to the UN General Assembly at its 81st session.
Report on the UN Decade and its implementation, and on the funding allocated, to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF).
Provide guidance and leadership on the UN Decade to FAO and UNEP staff.
Support processes and coordinate meetings of the Advisory Board; meetings with core Global Partners and Collaborating Agencies; and meetings of the Executive Board of the MPTF.
Ensure implementation of MPTF’s Executive Board decisions relevant to UNEP and FAO.
Represent the UN Decade in key internal FAO and UNEP strategy processes.
Coordinate UN Decade fundraising efforts including in particular efforts to increase donations to the UN Decade Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
Perform other duties as required or requested by the UN Decade Strategy Group and as necessary for UN Agency coordination.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to provide technical and substantive support in the field of ecosystem restoration, environmental management, development and mastery of climate change, natural resources management (with a focus on restoration of ecosystems) and monitoring mechanisms; ability to identify important and emerging issues; proven diplomatic skills in discussions/negotiations with senior government and non-government officials. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
COMMUNICATION: Proven track record in communicating complex issues effectively to a wide group of different audiences; 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.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
LEADERSHIP: Provide leadership to the work to empower others and translate vision into results; be proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establish and maintain relations with a broad range of people to understand needs and support; takes responsibility for ensuring equal participation of men and women in all areas of work.
VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education
An advanced university degree in Environmental Management, International Relations, Economics, or other relevant field is required. A first level university degree in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience

At least fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience, including at least five years of international experience; and at least five (5) years in a senior management position is required.
Work experience in leading a complex international network or partnerships is desirable.
Work experience in developing or leading a large-scale ecosystem restoration project is desirable.
Work experience in fundraising is desirable.
Work experience in the United Nations or in a similar international organization is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the official languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required, working knowledge of Spanish or French desired. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an asset.
NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is funded for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.
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 Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

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