SENIOR COORDINATION OFFICER, P5, Job Ref. CIV/UNEP/0109/23-8

Org. Setting and Reporting

The 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.

The Contracting Parties to the Abidjan Convention have designated UNEP as the Secretariat of the Convention. The post of the Coordinator of the Abidjan Convention is located in the UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, in the Ecosystems Integration Branch. The Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention is located in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire which is the duty station of the position.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Ecosystems Integration Branch, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Responsibilities

• Takes the lead of supervision of the administration of Abidjan Convention and its Secretariat, to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects under the Convention; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation,monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• 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.
• Preparation and convening of the meetings of Contracting Parties and conferences provided for by the Convention.
• Transmission to the Contracting Parties of notifications, reports and other information received in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
• Carrying out functions assigned to the Secretariat by the protocols to the Abidjan Convention.
• Consideration of enquiries by, and information from, the Contracting Parties and to consult with them on questions relating to this Convention and its related protocols and annexes thereto.
• Coordination of the implementation of cooperative activities agreed upon by the meetings of Contracting Parties and conferences provided for in the Convention.
• Overall administrative arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of the secretariat functions.
• Liaison with Parties to the Abidjan Convention, governments, stakeholders, donor community, international organizations and other relevant entities.
• Support to activities in UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme and other action stemming from United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) decisions.
• Facilitation of the development and implementation of fundraising strategies to mobilize additional support as may be required, for the implementation of activities and initiatives emanating from decisions of the meetings.
• Coordination of effective and efficient management and delivery of results of Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects in the region, as well as other sub regional projects funded by the GEF or other Global Funds, the European Commission (EC), governments and others.
• Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
• Overall financial management, and the timely and sufficient financial contributions by the Contracting Parties to the Abidjan Convention Trust Fund and the overall guidance to Parties for the payment of contributions as per the financial rules and Conference of Parties (COP) decisions, Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and ensures preparation
of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
• Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; guides, evaluates and mentor’s staff.
• May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation.Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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.

PLANNING & 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.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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.

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.

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; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, 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 desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme
  management, administration or related area is required.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in managing intergovernmental processes is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of fund-raising experience is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managing large programmes and projects relating to the marine environment is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English and in French is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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.

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