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. UNEP’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 post is located in the Biodiversity and Land Branch (BLB), Ecosystems Division, at the Kinshasa duty station and reports to the Chief Wildlife Unit.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Congo Basin Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program; Leads high-level political engagement with the six Congo Basin countries involved in the Impact Program, review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions, all in coordination with the relevant staff at the UNEP headquarters; • Leads research on the identification of new and emerging issues related to sustainable landscape governance and management applicable to the Congo Basin, and presents analysis of information gathered and reviewed from diverse sources with plausible recommendations; • Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of the Congo Basin governments and ensures a response to request for advice and/or capacity development on sustainable landscape management issues and policies, including leading capacity development missions; • Coordinates and provides direct substantive support to consultative and intergovernmental meetings related to the Impact Program, including conferences, by offering strategic advice, giving technical guidance and assisting in developing a consensus, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations on sustainable development issues; • Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Coordinates policy development; reviews the assessments of sustainable development issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies; • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, including background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications on sustainable development issues;• Prepares speeches for senior staff and makes presentations on sustainable development issues at various fora of intergovernmental, governmental, inter-agency, expert or multi-stakeholder nature; • Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars and gives lectures or presentations on assigned topics/activities on sustainable development issues; • Oversees web content and structure for the areas of his/her responsibilities; • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties, including drafting mission summaries on sustainable development issues; • Develops and maintains relations with senior officials of member governments and ensures a response to request for advice and/or capacity development on sustainable development issues and policies, including leading capacity development missions.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensures preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.) on sustainable development issues; • Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization, particularly to ensure synergy across different UNEP projects; • Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff. • Takes the lead in task forces, working groups, inter-agency groups, as needed on sustainable development issues; • Ensures gender mainstreaming, including in legislation, policies or programmes; • Represents the Branch/Division at international, regional or national meetings on sustainable development and conservation issues;• Manages unit/section both substantively and administratively, as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as required.