SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is in the Biodiversity People and Landscapes Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division, in the Nairobi Duty Station. The unit implements initiatives on the sustainable management of forest, peatland, mountain and dryland ecosystems, the bioeconomy, preventative One Health approaches, the secretariat of the Great Apes Survival Partnership and Indigenous Peoples issues. Under the supervision of the Head of the Biodiversity and Land Management Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities• Provide direction and advice on biodiversity management and conservation, including developing strategies to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results in the best interests of the Organization and its partners. • Take lead in developing biodiversity management strategies that embrace a long-term view about land use choices, including on reconciling conservation with; the expansion of agriculture; population growth; improving rural resilience, including creation of opportunity for smallholder farmers. • Take the lead in informing and influencing land use choices through better understanding of multiple threats to biodiversity. • Lead in establishing the Wildlife Biodiversity Economy as a legitimate and effective land use option. • Take the lead in developing and promoting ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other conservation areas, and supporting wildlife aspects of integrated human, animal and environment health (eg. One Health) approach. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Ensure implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines. • Supervise preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Direct substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Manage outreach activities; design and conduct trainings, workshops, seminars, etc., make presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensure preparation of related documents. • Serve as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization. • Ensure effective management, supervision and development of staff. • Collects and analyzes 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. • Perform any other related duties as may be assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and wildlife management issues at both global and national levels, with a thorough grasp of the multiple and interlinked threats to wildlife and habitats. Demonstrated experience with global public policy-making processes for biodiversity and wildlife, including within the framework of the Biodiversity Conventions. Understanding of issues related to securing habitats and wildlife for the future, with particular focus on protected areas, their management, and effectiveness. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the unit's goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operations. 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. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly. 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biodiversity conservation management, environmental law, political ecology, environmental economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationAdditional training with focus on wildlife management policy is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in conservation and biodiversity conservation or related area of which five (5) years at the international level is required. At least five (5) years of work experience in Ecosystems and Biodiversity policy development, regional programme /project coordination and resource mobilization is desirable. Experience working with relevant multilateral environmental agreements e.g., Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and/or Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is desirable Experience working with multiple threats to biodiversity is desirable. Experience working with the UN system or similar international organization is desirable Two (2) years' experience in data analytics or related area 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).