Regional Environment & Sustainability Advisor

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. UNOPS provides support to its partners in three main areas: Sustainable project management, Sustainable Infrastructure and Sustainable procurement. A focus on high-quality results is built into the culture of UNOPS, with the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability core to its work.

The Africa (AFO) region currently consists of Operational Hubs in Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, and Kenya; an Operations Centre in South Sudan and Project Centres in Ethiopia, Sudan and Tunisia.

This role will provide regional support in business negotiation, proposal writing, quality control and Environmental Project Implementation. The incumbent will support the business development agenda in the region through his/her expertise, regional contacts and ability to demonstrate a depth of experience in their field.

The Regional Environment & Sustainability Advisor will have dual reporting Lines:

a) AFOSenior Partnerships and Business development Advisor.

b) Director, Global Partner Service Office (GPSO)

The incumbent will be expected to work with a productive and collaborative approach, with colleagues at all levels and across all offices ofthe organization.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies,administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving atruly diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Business Development Support

The incumbent will support the sustainable project management agenda in the region through his/her expertise, regional contacts and ability to demonstrate a depth of experience in his/her field. He/She will be responsible for reviewing all proposals for environmental aspects in the region through the corporate LEAD system and providing advice to the relevant authority. With a focus on quality assurance and quality control, he/she will provide advice and support on new initiatives, project documents, costing, cost implications, implementation plans, milestones and benchmark indicators etc. He/She will assist with technical input on proposals, including proposal writing, project planning and presentations while representing UNOPS in negotiations.

2. Technical Advice and Quality Control

The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical advice and a quality assurance framework within the region in relation to Environment and Sustainability. UNOPS is fully committed to the Paris Agenda on national capacity building, therefore the incumbent the will play a crucial role in advising UNOPS Managers on measures to strengthen national capacity with regard to Environmental sustainability best practices.

3. Implementation Support

The incumbent will provide substantive support to Programme Managers /Project Managers / Team Managers in the implementation of environment and sustainability considerations within projects. He/she will advise project management practitioners on the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance, tools and best practice.

The Regional Sustainability Advisor will be required to undertake missions to project sites to report on progress and identify and solve operational problems, both within and beyond the region.

4. Development and implementation of the partnership strategy with UNEP and UN-Habitat (GPSO);

• Support the development of UNOPS partnership strategy with Nairobi-based partners: UNEP and UN-Habitat;
• Support the business planning process to define high-priority countries, sectors, products and service areas;
• Research and analyze UNEP and UN-Habitat programming priorities in order to identify potential funding opportunities;
• Participate in key partnership building meetings and represent UNOPS in relevant UN and Donors conferences / events in Nairobi;
• Advises the Director of the Global Partnership Service Office (GPSO) on opportunities for expanding the UNOPS portfolio.
• Respond to UNEP and UN-Habitat requests for information, documentation and meetings;
• Advise / support senior management and operational staff on the UNEP and UN-Habitat partnership and funding opportunities;
• Coordinate and assist field offices in their engagements with UNEP;
• Participate in the identification and negotiation of new projects and services;
• Advise AFO field offices in business development opportunities analysis, partnerships development and programme design;
• Provide project development support, advice, and assistance to AFO OC/OH Directors and Business development officers;
• Investigate the opportunity for the development of joints guidelines relevant to sustainability in UNOPS practices.

Competencies

• Proven ability in business negotiation, preferably within a development context and related to project management projects;
• Expert knowledge of international environmental best practice;
• Established networking skills demonstrated through existing international links to industry professionals in the project management;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with strategic partners;
• Ability to create and nurture a knowledge-sharing environment; ability to ensure effective team work, collaborative behaviour and team spirit;
• Delivery and Results focused, with the energy and ability to manage multiple competing priorities;
• Ability to add value and act as partner with other practices and across regional structures to ensure optimal resource mobilization within the organisation;
• Excellent mentoring and people management skills – able to coach and develop personnel, with a demonstrated capacity to lead change, nurture talent and ensure capacity development for practice membership; and
• Global mind-set with sensitivity to diverse culture/workforce and high level of energy and enthusiasm
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Fluency in English and French, both verbal and written is essential;

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced university degree or equivalent experience in environmental policy, environmental management, and/or other relevant field. Bachelors degree with additional two years of work expereince is acceptable in lieu of Masters/advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 (or 7) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental programme management or related area;

Experience in developing countries on environmental programme development or project implementation is required; experience in the Africa region is highly desirable;

Experience in working with a development partners and donors, in particular UNEP and UN-Habitat, is highly desirable;

Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is in-depth knowledge of UNOPS policies, procedures and practices;

Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills;

Demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English and working knowledge of French are required. Prince 2 Foundation certifcation required.

Contract type, level and duration Contract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA-2 Contract duration: 100 working days For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.