EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

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. Established in April 2012, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has a membership of close to 150 Governments and seeks to respond to the needs of governments and other stakeholders to strengthen the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services. At the request of the IPBES Plenary and with the authorization of the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosts the secretariat services to IPBES. This post is located within the IPBES Secretariat at the Bonn, Germany duty station. The incumbent will be accountable to the IPBES Plenary, through its Bureau, on policy, programmatic and financial matters and will be part of the extended Senior Management Team (SMT) at UNEP. Under the overall guidance of the Executive Director of UNEP and the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Lead and represents IPBES in national and international forums, promoting its mission and the key findings of its assessments, with strong credibility in biodiversity and ecosystem science, and a passion and demonstrated commitment to nature conservation, sustainable land management, ecosystem services and sustainable development. • Direct and manages the implementation of the IPBES work programme as approved by the IPBES Plenary. • Lead the development of documentation, and reporting on budget/programme performance, and on programmatic/ substantive issues, innovative and/or change management programmes. • Lead the formulation, implementation and monitoring of yearly budgets and schedules for all elements of work programme determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery, including on resource mobilization. • Lead fundraising efforts with a view to identify new donors and increase revenues, among IPBES members and with the private sector and philanthropic organizations; • Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Secretariat, with the aim of facilitating implementation of programmed activities and key findings of IPBES by IPBES members and stakeholders from the scientific, indigenous, business and broader stakeholder communities; • Coordinate nomination and selection processes for experts to participate in the preparation of IPBES deliverables in the different areas both within the subsidiary bodies, task forces and expert groups of the Secretariat and Plenary, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, donors and agencies as appropriate. • Oversee and coordinates, together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the implementation of the collaborative partnership arrangement, as set out in decision IPBES-2/8. • Coordinate the preparation of reports to Governments and intergovernmental bodies such as the IPBES Plenary, Bureau, Multidisciplinary Expert Panel. Liaises with relevant subsidiary bodies, relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements, stakeholders from the scientific, indigenous, business and broader stakeholder communities and other policymaking organs, as appropriate with a view to foster coordination and coherence with existing relevant initiatives. • Foster collaboration within UNEP, including regular engagement with the extended Senior Management Team (SMT), with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with other biodiversity related multilateral environmental agreements, with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on land degradation, desertification and restoration, and with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on related programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, to ensure timely updates regarding new findings of IPBES Assessments, and cohesion with their activities as appropriate; • Ensure that all documents and publications of IPBES maintain high-quality standards to build and defend the credibility of the Platform; that reports are clear, objective and based on credible data and peer-reviewed literature. Ensures the documents and publications are effectively communicated to the priority audiences and or stakeholders identified by the Plenary directly. • Undertake or oversees the programmatic, administrative and financial tasks necessary for the functioning of the Secretariat ensuring that the Secretariat operates under the relevant IPBES procedures and in compliance with the Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and applicable rules and procedures of UNEP. • Reports to the IPBES Plenary on collaboration with Partners that have established an institutional link with the Platform, whereby the Partners coordinate relevant activities and cooperate in areas related to the functions of the Platform. • Provide regular updates on the activities of IPBES to the heads of UNEP, FAO, UNDP and UNESCO, and through them to their respective Governing Bodies. Brings decisions and resolutions of governing bodies of these organizations that are relevant to IPBES’ work to the attention of the IPBES Bureau and Plenary for their consideration. • Recruit professional staff of the Secretariat in collaboration with the executive heads of UNESCO, FAO and UNDP, taking due account of geographical and gender balance and core values and competencies required by the United Nations. • Manage, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; creates and ensures an inclusive and friendly working environment; fosters teamwork and communication among staff members including IPBES technical support units. • Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues, as appropriate; represents the Secretariat at the highest policy and political levels at/in international, regional, inter-agency processes, meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. • Perform other related duties as requested by the IPBES Plenary, Chair of IPBES or UNEP Executive Director.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of interactions among biodiversity, land degradation, desertification and restoration. Good understanding of the drivers of biodiversity loss. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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 & 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 honours 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 improvements; 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. EMPOWERING OTHERS: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters degree) in a field of biodiversity science (e.g. ecology, evolution, conservation, economics, law, political sciences, anthropology) is required. PhD in one of the environmental fields is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in managing and supporting intergovernmental environmental processes, particularly in implementation of environmental science-policy interactions is required. Proven managerial experience in oversight of preparation of programmes of work, workplans, budgets and management of financial resources, at a supervisory level is required. Proven experience in staff supervision, including performance management, is required. Experience in collaborating and developing partnership with various stakeholders such as UN agencies, Secretariats of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and global environments assessments, NGOs and private sectors is required. Experience in establishing coherent global frameworks and scientific research to guide and integrate final services/products in the programmes is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. 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. 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 six months need to 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. 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.