Program officer

Background

The objective of this Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas.

Duties and responsibilities

The following specific assignments/tasks contain measurable learning elements that can be used to assess the progress of the
Program Officer (PO). The PO will be expected to:

1. Assist the KMST Unit and the CST Bureau to implement the CST recommendations and COP decisions related to the CST, particularly as they refer to national monitoring and vulnerability assessment on biophysical and socio-economic trends of desertification/land degradation, performing the following specific tasks:
- Drafting Terms of References (TORs) and facilitating the work of consultants and/or groups of experts on monitoring and assessment;
- Supporting the KMST Unit Coordinator in liaising with the Programme Officer dealing with the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) to ensure consistency between the CST and the CRIC work programmes, particularly as they refer to indicators;
- Following-up of regional/sub-regional activities related to the use of impact indicators for monitoring and assessment, in cooperation with Programme Officers of other units.

2. Assist the KMST Unit Coordinator to support the CST and its Bureau, performing the following specific tasks:
- Preparing substantive information and materials (introductory notes, documents, PowerPoint presentations, etc.);
- Preparing drafts conclusions and recommendations of the Bureau meetings;
- Supporting the Unit in the development and implementation, following Results Based Management approach, of the work plans and programmes for the CST and the KMST Unit.

3. Act as a contact point within the KMST Unit for provision and dissemination of information related to monitoring and assessment, in cooperation with the Programme Officers, performing the following specific tasks:
- Networking with relevant institutions dealing with monitoring and assessment, in cooperation with the Programme Officer in charge of the support to the scientific community;
- Compiling scientific information and the development of scientific material on monitoring and assessment for the UNCCD website and scientific portal, brochures, newsletters and publications, in cooperation with the Programme Officer in charge of Knowledge Management;
- Providing the unit with regularly updated information on the major events (meetings, seminar, conferences, etc.) concerning monitoring and assessment.

4. Perform other duties as requested by the KMST Unit Coordinator.

Requirements

- Advanced university degree (MSc. or equivalent) in areas of natural resources management and environmental sciences relevant to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
- A minimum of three years of relevant work on scientific and technical aspects of natural resources and related environmental issues.
- A good knowledge of the areas of agro forestry, drought, land degradation, sustainable land management would be desirable.
- A minimum of three years of relevant work on monitoring and assessment on environmental issues in particular at
international level
- Fluency in oral and written English, including excellent drafting skills. Knowledge of other UN official languages, particularly French, is a strong asset.

Evaluation criteria

Professionalism:
- Experience on environmental monitoring and assessment
- Knowledge of intergovernmental processes
- Knowledge and understanding of, drought, land degradation, and sustainable land management.
- Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The capacity to plan own work effectively and manage conflicting priorities.

Commitment to Continuous Learning:
- Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of work.

Communication:
- Good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and to
articulate ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Technological Awareness:
- Ability to make effective use of required computer software and other equipment relevant to the post.

Teamwork:
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural
organization.
- Ability to provide effective support in relation to work conducted by colleagues.
Client orientation:
- Ability to interact and engage in discussions with people of all levels, including senior level officials and stake holders,
to provide guidance, make decisions or seek solutions to issues.