Result of Service
The consultancy will contribute to strengthening UNEP’s Environmental Management System (EMS) and advancing the organization’s sustainability objectives through improved data-driven environmental performance monitoring, reporting, and capacity building. The ultimate result of service will be the full operationalization, institutionalization, and enhancement of UNEP’s EMS and its digital tools, ensuring comprehensive coverage across UNEP Divisions, Offices, Duty Stations, and UNEP-administered Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). By the end of the consultancy, the following deliverables will have been achieved: 1. EnviroData eApp Fully Operational and Updated – The EnviroData eApp is fully deployed across UNEP and UNEP-administered MEAs, with historical environmental inventory data (prior years) reviewed, verified, and updated. 2. 2025–2026 Environmental Inventory Reporting Completed – UNEP Duty Stations and MEAs successfully report their 2025–2026 environmental inventories through the eApp, supported by trained and functional EMS focal points. 3. EMS Improvement Consultation Report – A comprehensive consultation report, based on surveys and stakeholder inputs, providing actionable recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of environmental inventory reporting and overall EMS implementation. 4. EMS Action Plan 2026–2029 Developed and Approved – A strategic EMS Action Plan outlining priorities, measurable targets, and implementation strategies for the next EMS cycle (2026–2029). 5. Capacity Building and Awareness Enhanced – UNEP and MEA staff and focal points trained and sensitized on the new EMS Action Plan, ensuring a unified and informed approach to implementation. 6. MEA EMS Frameworks Strengthened – Tailored EMS frameworks established or strengthened for UNEP-administered MEAs to align with UNEP’s corporate EMS. 7. EMS Internal Audits Conducted – Internal audits organized and completed, with findings and recommendations documented for continuous improvement. 8. EMS Steering Group Effectively Coordinated – Regular Steering Group meetings held, and follow-up actions documented, fostering leadership oversight and strategic alignment. 9. EMS Performance Reports Produced – Periodic and consolidated reports prepared, tracking progress against EMS objectives, performance indicators, and sustainability targets. 10. Virtual and Hybrid Meeting Guidelines Finalized – Comprehensive guidelines and procedures for conducting sustainable virtual and hybrid meetings finalized and disseminated. 11. Sustainable Online Meeting Culture Promoted – Strategies developed and initiated to enhance and institutionalize a sustainable, efficient online meeting culture across UNEP. 12. EMS-Aligned SOPs Developed and Implemented – Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) consistent with the EMS Manual finalized, and corresponding training sessions delivered to UNEP and MEA staff to ensure compliance and effective application.
Expected duration
9 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Setting: 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. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has a strong commitment to make its internal operations more environmentally sustainable. The main instrument for achieving this has been the use of the Environment Management System (EMS). The UNEP EMS includes an approved plan of action focused on measuring, reducing the environmental footprint of, and offsetting its GHG emissions. The results of the EMS are regularly communicated to UNEP’s staff and Senior Management Team. Every year, measuring UNEP’s impact includes a collection of data on GHG emissions, waste, water, and staff awareness using a UN system methodology and a bespoke calculator. Reducing impacts involves several measures including the analysis of UNEP’s flight emission results in order to support travel reduction measures, the use and strengthening of online meeting culture in UNEP, the development of staff information campaigns, and the assistance to UNEP’s regional offices with their own, tailored Environmental Action plans. The work of UNEP’s EMS team also involves the coordination and facilitation of the UNEP EMS Steering Committee that overlooks the implementation of the EMS action plan and sets its future directions. Specific tasks and responsibilities: Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director, UNEP Corporate Services Division, and with direct supervision by the Environmental Affairs Officer, the consultant will be responsible for performing the following duties: 1. Lead the continued deployment of the EnviroData eApp modules and updating prior years information to the application. 2. Lead the deployment of the EnviroData eApp to UNEP Duty Station and UNEP Administered Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) EMS focal points in reporting year 2025-2026 environmental inventories. 3. Carry out consultations, including through a survey using questionnaire, with UNEP and MEAs EMS focal points and stakeholders, on how to improve the effectiveness of reporting environmental inventories and overall EMS. 4. Lead the development of the EMS Action Plan for the period 2026 -2029. 5. Carry out training and awareness to UNEP and MEAs EMS focal points and staff on new EMS Action Plan 2026-2029 6. Engagements to UNEP Administered MEAs to fully develop their EMS. 7. Organising and conducting EMS Internal Audits 8. Coordination of UNEP´s EMS Steering Group activities and meetings 9. Preparation of regular EMS performance reports. 10. Finalise the guidelines and procedures for the conduct of virtual and hybrid meetings 11. Develop strategies to enhance and strengthen the online meeting culture within UNEP. 12. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) aligned to EMS Manual and conducting training sessions for UNEP and MEAs staff to ensure proficient implementation and adherence to established procedures.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental management, sustainability, or a related field from an accredited academic institution is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in at least 2 of the following areas: Greenhouse Gas inventory accounting; corporate environmental strategy; sustainable procurement; experience implementing sustainability programmes within an organization; sensitization of personnel in environmental sustainability; and Environment Management System (EMS) documentation and implementation is required. Experience in development of environmental reporting applications (EnviroData Applications/eApp) is required. Experience with providing training in Environmental Management System would be desirable. Experience in development of written documentation of procedures and functions within the Environmental Sustainability Management System would be highly desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE 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.
