ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (TJO)

Org. Setting and ReportingThe temporary position is located within the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). Pursuant to Security Council resolution 2793 (2025), UNSOH has been mandated to provide support primarily to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Haitian National Police (HNP), and the Haitian Armed Forces in the context of any joint operations with the GSF. Additionally, UNSOH is tasked with delivering technical assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS). The Environmental Affairs Officer establishes, implements, manages, monitors and revises the mission’s Environmental Management System (EMS). The incumbent assesses, monitors and advises UNSOH senior leaders on environmental risk mitigation, including wastewater and hazardous waste risk management. Other duties include managing the unit, producing environmental baseline studies and site inspection reports, coordinating the development of and monitoring the implementation of environmental action plans , training mission personnel on environmental matters, liaising and coordinating with host nation officials and other UN and NGO organisations in the mission area, and UN Headquarters and producing relevant reports and data on the mission’s environment performance. The temporary position is based in Port-au-Prince and is located in the Office of the Director of Mission Support. The incumbent will report to the Director of Mission Support. Frequent travel to other regions of Haiti may be required in the context of this assignment. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Policy and Guidance / Planning • Support the Director of Mission Support in implementing environmental policy and draft relevant specific guidance for the mission (including directives, Standard Operating Procedures, Environmental Emergency Preparedness Plan etc.). • Coordinate the mission’s environmental action planning, and assist the relevant engineering units to develop their respective energy infrastructure, water, wastewater and waste management plans. . • Coordinate with relevant sections and liaise with data owners to ensure that the mission’s submission in the Environmental Action Planning and Performance (eAPP) and other relevant risk management and reporting systems is completed and submitted in a timely manner. Management of Environmental Unit • Manage/supervise the environmental unit of the mission. • Oversee the administration and recruitment of personnel of the environmental unit. Environmental Monitoring and Risk Management Undertake regular environmental inspections and environmental risk assessments in all mission’s sites as well as contractors’ disposal sites if any, identifying in priority potential risks and possible improvement of performance, provide recommendations accordingly. • Conduct environmental assessments and surveys of operations in the mission, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in liaison with relevant sections. • Produce Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) for each new mission site, if no such study has been done, or update existing EBS as necessary. • Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon at the mission, including, for example, a list of potentially hazardous installations within the mission (e.g. petrol station, warehouse storing flammables) in cooperation with fire marshals or other staff at the mission designated to deal with emergencies; liaise with relevant sections and Military and Police Environmental Focal points to get a regular update on inventory of hazardous substances;. • Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, and other environment-related incidents. • Report and recommend to the Director of Mission Support to undertake such measures as may be required to prevent or mitigate environmental problems. • Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the mission. Awareness and Training / Mainstreaming Promote awareness on environmental issues. • Provide an environmental briefing to all mission personnel including police and military contingents during their induction training. • Deliver other environmental capacity building activities to mission personnel as required. • Mainstream environment into mission-level SOPs, and other relevant guidance and processes. • Engage with contractors, in close coordination with contract management colleagues, on responsibilities when relevant, including providing an environmental briefing to contractors as required. Coordination and Partner Relations • Liaise on environmental issues with local authorities and the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies present in the country or region hosting the mission, UN Headquarters as well as regional organisations and diplomatic community when relevant. • Carry out any other tasks required to support Environmental Policy for Peacekeeping and Field-Based Special Political Missons and the environmental objectives of the mission as directed by the Director of Mission Support. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to environmental risk management in field operations. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to synthesize complex information and to prepare high quality summary for senior management. Ability to apply judgement in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to analyze and interpret complex information in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and 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 ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Managerial Competencies 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 change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands in the best interest of the organization. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the organization; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental management, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related area. A first-level university degree 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 least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the environmental management field with a national government/administration, a large firm or international organization is required. Experience in developing and implementing environmental management programs in the context of UN field operations (inclusive of peacekeeping operations, field-based special political missions and humanitarian operations) is required. Experience in evaluation and oversight of environmental compliance is required. Experience in conducting environmental risk assessment, on wastewater and/or hazardous waste management in particular, is desirable. Experience in developing and delivering training and capacity building initiatives pertaining to environmental management to a multinational workforce is desirable. Experience in working in Haiti is desirable. Experience in project planning is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).