Public Information Officer
Finance & Budget Officer
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment
Programme (UN Environment) 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’s Communication Division communicates UN
Environment’s core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising
environmental awareness and enhancing the profile of UN Environment worldwide.
This post is located in the Communication Division at the Nairobi duty station.
Responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the
Director and under the supervision of the Chief of Section, Digital Strategy,
thei Public Information Officer (Head of News and Media) will perform the
following duties:
·
Lead the work of UN Environment’s
Newsdesk as the main hub for news activities and press relations and contribute
to the delivery of UN Environment’s Programme of Work (POW); Develop, supervise
the preparation of information and communications products such as press
releases, media alerts, products supporting major corporate activities; Manage
UN Environment News Centre as the online tool for dissemination of media and
news content pertaining to the environment and sustainable development; Keeps
abreast with emerging and trending news and media stories to seize
opportunities for positioning UN Environment as the thought-leader on environmental
related issues.
·
Supervise performance and mentor
Newsdesk staff; Oversee the hiring of world class press and information
officers; Supervise the day-to-day operations, including the coordination of
substantive and administrative activities, providing procedural advice, and
implementing activities supporting the organization through the PoW; Work with
regional and out-posted information officers to ensure a successful
implementation of UN Environment-wide media communications; Supervise and clear
the production and distribution of press materials and activities across
divisions, regional offices and Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA)
secretariats under the administration of UN Environment; Develop and
disseminate media-relation policy, provide procedural advice, organize and
conduct media relation training programmes; and monitor and evaluate results
and impact of news operations.
·
Anticipate and resolve
communications/public relations issues/problems; Develop strategic partnerships
with key traditional and hybrid media outlets and constituencies to elicit
support for and maximize the impact of identified communication activities;
Create and maintain networks of high level international communications
contacts across traditional and hybrid media, governmental agencies,
international institutions and other groups and organizations in civil society;
Represent the organization in important news and media related meetings,
conferences and events, fulfilling speaking engagements and advocating issues
of concern; Report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the work of
UN Environment; Oversee media training of senior UN Environment officials and
provide clearance for interviews and media appearances; Provide news and media
training for UN Environment staff and coordinate public engagement of UN
Environment officials with responsible officers; Conduct regular meetings and
communication training for Regional Information Officers (RIOs), and organize
annual RIO retreats; Perform any other relevant duties assigned.
Competencies
·
Professionalism: Knowledge of
theories, concepts and approaches relevant to effective media communication and
engagement; ability to develop and implement a media strategic vision and
business plan for the direction of the UN Environment and environment in the
news; understanding of global and regional political trends, public attitudes
and varied media platforms; establish effective collaboration and partnerships
with officials at all levels inside and outside the organization; 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.
·
Communication: Speaks and writes
clearly, 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 march
the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people
informed.
Qualifications
Education
·
Advanced University Degree(Master’s
degree or equivalent) in media studies, communication, marketing or other
related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with
the two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of
the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
·
A minimum of seven years of
progressively responsible work experience in media and strategic communications
is required. Experience in managing multiple processes and projects in a
complex environment and high profile media coverage (preferably in the United
Nations and/or a development agency) is desirable.
Languages
·
English and French are the working
knowledge of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency
in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an
advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates
for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed
by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this post is for
an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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.
The United Nations is Secretariat is
committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are
strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
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. On-line
applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
Finance & Budget Officer
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment
Programme (UN Environment) 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’s Ecosystems Division 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 This position is located in the Ecosystems Division at the Nairobi
duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Fund Programme Management
Officer, in the Operation Support Unit, the Fund Programme Management Officer
(FPMO) will be responsible the following functions:
Responsibilities
Manage designated programmes and
projects: Certify that proposed obligations or disbursements are:
·
raised in accordance with existing UN
Financial Rules and Regulations;
·
raised in accordance with the purpose
for which the relevant appropriation was approved and the allotment made;
·
can be met from the available balance
of the allotment to the relevant account, with due regard to future
expenditure.
Manage sub-programme resources:
·
maintain and update sub-programme
specific management information on the status of the Environment Fund, Trust
Fund, Counterpart Contribution allocations, Regular Budget, Trust and
Environmental Support Funds; project commitments, proposals, revisions,
extensions and expenditure reports;
·
liaise with implementing external
organizations, Ecosystems Branch Managers and Programme Managers to resolve
priorities and conflict situations;
·
liaise with funding organizations on
sub-programme related Trust Fund or Counterpart Contributions;
·
provide input to the Chief of the
Unit;
·
provide ad-hoc reports to the Chief
of the Unit or other Ecosystems Division management.
Support and facilitate preparation
and approval of projects:
·
coordinate the preparation of
projects in cooperation with concerned UN Environment Programme Managers and/or
external implementing organizations ensuring that project documents and
revisions are:
·
consistent with the strategies,
objectives and goals approved by the Governing Council of UN Environment;
·
consistent with approved UN
Environment work programmes and management directives, and in accordance with
UN Environment guidelines on project design;
·
within allocated resources and in
accordance with UN and UN Environment financial rules and regulations:
·
support and provide direct
professional guidance in all aspects of programme structuring and project
design;
·
provide direct input particularly in
the planning of resource utilization and budgets;
·
facilitate the approval of projects
and revisions within UN Environment;
·
coordinate and facilitate the
necessary administrative measures required after project/revision approval.
Manage and monitor fund management
side of the project implementation:
·
ensure consistency with policy,
agreement, directives, guidelines, rules and regulations in the fund management
implementation of approved projects;
·
solicit interim and terminal
financial reports, review and reconcile reports;
·
coordinate revision of projects;
·
control project budgets;
·
maintain and update information on
the status of project related Counterpart Contributions;
·
Review financial aspects of the
project related Letters of Agreement;
·
approve and initiate disbursement of
funds;
·
Review and certify obligations and
disbursement documents;
·
Undertake administrative and
financial action for directly supervised internal projects;
·
Coordinate the actions required for
closure of completed projects;
·
Provide information to Programme
Managers and Officers and external implementers of changes in policy
guidelines.
Competencies
·
Professionalism: Knowledge of
financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and
financial administration of resources. Ability to develop budgetary policies,
procedures and new programmes. Ability to formulate new strategies and
technical approaches to budgetary matters. 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.
·
Communication: 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.
·
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.
Qualifications
Education
·
Advanced university degree (Master’s
degree or equivalent) in accounting, business administration, finance or
related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with
two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of
the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
·
A minimum of five (5) years of
relevant and progressively responsible work experience in finance, budget or
related area is required. Three years of experience in management of public
funding, grant management and interaction with public sector institutions in an
international context is required. Experience with complex data analysis,
reconciliations and reporting would be highly desirable. Working experience
with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as SAP is an advantage.
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. Knowledge of another UN official
language is an advantage.
Assessment
·
Evaluation of qualified candidates
may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based
interview.
