Background
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
UNEP’s Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) 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. The Division is responsible, among others, for ecosystem management for human well-being. This covers Ecosystem services and economics, Fresh water and terrestrial ecosystems, and Marine and coastal ecosystems.
DEPI, through its Regional Seas Program, provides the Secretariat functions for the Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region (Abidjan Convention)
The Abidjan Convention, adopted in Abidjan in 1981, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for regional cooperation for the conservation and development of marine and coastal environment.
The Convention and its protocol concerning cooperating in combating pollution in cases of emergency came into force in 1984. To date the Convention covers the marine environment, coastal zones and related inland waters falling within the jurisdiction of the States of the Western African Region, from Mauritania to South Africa.
The functions and operations of the Convention Secretariat which is located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, are administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The Convention is currently under a revitalization process after several years of slowdown in its operations.
In order to strengthen this revitalization process, DEPI/UNEP would like to recruit an Assistant Coordinator for Ecosystem Management for the Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention.
The post is located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. UNDP is organizing the recruitment process on behalf of UNEP.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Coordinator of the Secretariat and the close collaboration with the Assistant Advisor for Communication and Partnership, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
- Provides full range of program/project management and implementation assistance pertaining to Abidjan Convention.
- Research, compile analyze, summarize and present basic information data on a wide range of marine programs/projects and related activities highlighting noteworthy trends in the region for the attention of the Abidjan Convention management.
- Assist in the implementation of the Action Plan for the protection, management and development of the coastal and marine environment of Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region.
- Assist the Regional Coordinator to facilitate the collaboration with the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) Global Environmental Fund (GEF) projects (GCLME, CCLME and BCLME) in general and the implementation of CCLME component 3 project.
- Assist in the implementation of previous COPs decisions (Tracking and reviewing)
- Assist the Regional Coordinator in the preparation of the Conference of the Parties (COPs) and other statutory and non statutory meetings of the Convention
- Contribute to the accession to the Convention by countries which are not yet Contracting Parties.
- Assist the Regional Coordinator in establishing and managing the Convention organ (to be created) on global technical and scientific issues related to the implementation of the Treaty.
- Prepare various written outputs, draft background papers, analysis, section of reports and studies and inputs to publication.
- Maintaining routine contacts with governments of Abidjan Convention CPs and non–CPs, as well as with national NGOs and international partner organizations and other relevant bodies in the region.
- Dealing with routine administrative work, such as preparing correspondence, sending faxes, making photocopies, assisting with bulk mailings, translation;
- Drafts various substantive documents on convention programmes/projects related activities including newsletters, reports and committee agenda/minutes.
- Assist in the development of capacity building programs for national focal points of the Abidjan Convention
- Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: The key qualities required are awareness of global and regional challenges, skills and commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of the environment, with a focus on marine and coastal ecosystems. Familiarity with the UN agencies, other MEAs, major multilateral and bilateral donors and the private sector in the areas of partnership and fundraising activities. Ability to work independently, with a team spirit and contributing to a common goal.
- 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.
- 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.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- Ability to perform the duties described above in a fairly independent manner, with limited assistance from support staff. Willingness to adhere to the Abidjan Convention’s values and the working customs of its Secretariat.
- Demonstrated ability to build a complex network of relevant relationships across governmental, non-governmental, environmental and public sectors, and to creatively explore and match their various requirements. Strong organizational skills and good project management experience. Ability to prioritize and work both with limited or no supervision and in multidisciplinary teams to contribute to a common goal.
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Demonstrated capacity for effective communication (oral and written) and selling/marketing skills.
- Well developed computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office software and internet browsing programs.
- Ability to write technical requirements documents and Standard Operating Procedures
- Ability to translate planning specifications to technical briefs for data capture and analysis, and vice versa
- Ability to compile and holistically analyze diverse datasets
- Ability to train data collectors
- Ability to coordinate technical activities with operational needs at short notice and with high quality output