Programme Management Officer (Sustainable Finance)

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 overall objective of UNEP's Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. The Division promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. Please review internet address (http://www. unep.org). The position is located at UNEP's Industry and Economy Division under the Finance Policy Unit of the Finance and Economics Branch, at the Geneva duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Finance and Economics Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions: Responsibilities 1) Leading UNEP's work on private finance policy and regulation, including outreach to major financial institutions, policy makers and multilateral policy platforms for the purpose of directing private finance into transitioning high impact sectors of the economy and supporting a sustainable and stable financial system: - Responsible for formulating and implementing outreach strategies to policy makers and multilateral policy platforms, that includes for example outreach to financial sector institutions, Ministries of Finance, central banks, and real economy policy makers to steer private capital. - Leading analytical and technical assistance to countries on sustainable finance policy frameworks and other policy frameworks that are conducive to steering private finance towards sustainable development, such as taxonomies, disclosure frameworks or risk-related frameworks, in partnership with relevant international programs, private and public finance institutions, among others. - Supporting with the operationalization and interoperability of policy frameworks in the regions, countries, to facilitate cross-border private financial flows, and support uptake of policy frameworks by the finance industry. - Ensuring coordination and complementarity with private finance initiatives including voluntary frameworks and work done by the UNEP Finance Initiative with private finance institutions. - Ensuring coordination with the Economic and Fiscal Policy Unit for a coherent UNEP approach to public and private financing of the transition, through a complementary set of economic, fiscal and financial policy tools and recommendations. 2) Leading and developing UNEP's analytical, outreach and advocacy efforts on financial policy as key enablers of environmental and financial system sustainability: - Strategizing, developing and implementing analytical, outreach and advocacy activities on economic and financial policies for environmental sustainability. - Spearheading recommendations to align financial and other finance-related policy frameworks with climate, nature and pollution outcomes the UNEP medium term strategy. 3) Management and Administrative aspects: - Oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks including budget preparation, reporting on budget/ programme performance, evaluation of the supervised staff's performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates, and preparation of inputs for results- based budgeting. - Manage, guide, and train staff under supervision and foster teamwork and communication among supervised staff and across organizational boundaries. - Mobilize resources to implement the substantive programmes and ensure that the outputs produced from the substantive work programmes maintain high-quality standards and that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data, in compliance with the relevant mandates. 4) Advise Branch Chief, Division Director and Deputy Director, and Senior Management and develop strategies and policies with regard to the substantive work programmes under his/her responsibility: - Assist the Branch Chief in preparing the Branch's work programmes, determining priorities, and allocating resources for completing the defined outputs in a timely manner. - Consult with international/regional/national institutions especially other United Nations organizations to interpret the needs, opportunities, and requirements for UNEP, provide programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by other institutions, and provide programmatic and substantive reports for review by Branch Chief, Division Director and UNEP Senior Management. - Coordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to inter-governmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy making organs, as appropriate. 5) Data Management Responsibilities: - Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. 6) Perform other duties as required. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: 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. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data 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. PLANNING AND 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 improvement; 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 Education Advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in finance, resource economics, environmental economics or international economics, international relations, sustainable development or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with two (2) additional years of relevant work 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. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional work experience involving sustainable finance, environmental/resource economics, finance and economic policy, of which five years should be at the international level is required. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder groups to meet a common objective in the sustainable finance and private finance policy space is required. Experience working with the private finance sector, including with banks, institutional investors is desirable. Experience in developing work programs for a variety of private or public stakeholders are desirable. A mimimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable A publication record in peer-reviewed journals is desirable Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Chinese (Mandarin) or Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIDesirable LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIChinese (Mandarin)UN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIArabicUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA-limited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of the administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon the continued existence of the mandate and the availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 and are selected for this position, subject to limitations, will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position without a lien on their parent position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least 6 months must have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as affiliated personnel (for example, as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme–such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS–which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link. 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