Environmental Affairs Officer (Temporary)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the General Support Section (GSS), Division for Management (DM), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Vienna, Austria. The Environmental Affairs Officer will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief, General Support Section (GSS). For more information on UNOV, please visit the website www.unov.org ResponsibilitiesThe 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. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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. EducationAdvanced 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 QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt 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. LanguagesEnglish 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. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is temporarily available for 364 days. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. 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. 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. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station). United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.