Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide. This position is located in the United Nations Global Service Centre, Brindisi, Italy within the Supply Chain Service, Planning & Sourcing Support Section, Environment Technical Support Unit

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Environmental Action Plan – Implementation • Support the identification and planning of activities, projects, and best practices aimed at embedding environmental management in supply chain operations. • Provide technical and coordination support in the implementation of environmental initiatives/projects, monitor progress, assess impact, and report implementation status to senior management. • Liaise with relevant sections and Environmental Focal points to get a regular update . • Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, and other environment-related incidents. • Report and recommend 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. Policy and Guidance Development • Support missions implementing the environmental policy and identifying needs for drafting new or for modifying relevant specific guidance (including directives, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.). • Coordinate the annual development of Environmental Action Plans with relevant sections and liaise with data owners to ensure that the Environmental Performance and Risk Management System is completed and submitted. • Review relevant policies and provide substantive inputs to ensure environmental considerations are effectively mainstreamed. • Manage environmental activities and coordinate team towards the achievement of objectives. Awareness and Capacity Building • Promote awareness on environmental issues. • Provide environmental briefings to all relevant stakeholders. • Mainstream environment into SOPs, and other relevant guidance and processes. • Engage with contractors, in close coordination with contract management colleagues, on responsibilities when relevant. • Design and implement capacity-building tools and training activities to enhance understanding within peacekeeping missions and relevant stakeholders. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement • Liaise on environmental issues with DOS pillars and divisions to mainstream the environmental management practices across the organization, including headquarters-led processes. • Carry out any other tasks required to support the integration of the Environmental Policy for UN Field Missions and the DOS Environment Strategy objectives.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to environmental 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 summaries 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 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 implementing the goal of gender equality. 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 & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental management, environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental law or related area is required. 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 Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 5 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 coordinating environmental management in an international organization is desirable. Experience in supporting change management in a large organization and/or complex, strategic setting is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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. The position is financed by extra-Budgetary funds. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

United Nations Considerations

According 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.