Global Chemical Outlook and Sustainable chemistry Specialist

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

UN Environment is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The overall objective of UN Environment's 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. It 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

The Chemicals and Health Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme, Economy Division leads UN Environment’s subprogramme on Chemicals, Waste and Air Quality. UN Environment’s programme of work centers around assistance to countries and multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) secretariats to assist in technical-scientific issues related to priority chemicals and implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly and Governing Council resolutions. UN Environment has been mandated through Decision 27/12 of the Governing Council and Resolution 2/7 of the UN Environment Assembly to develop an update of the Global Chemicals Outlook, which will be launched during the first Quarter 2019 in advance of the 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly in March 2019. Substantive expertise and support is needed to finalize the Global Chemicals Outlook II and oversee the preparation of a summary for policy makers. Furthermore, a Project Preparation Phase (PPP) for Advancing Sustainable Chemistry is currently being implemented with a view to finalizing the draft project document in December 2018. As part of the PPP, a draft report on best practices in sustainable chemistry has been prepared. Further work is needed, among others, to develop and implement a strategy to advance a common understanding of the sustainable chemistry concept at the international level through the full project document.

Scope of support: Knowledge and Risk Unit, Global Chemicals Outlook.

The ICA will work in the Knowledge and Risk Unit of the Chemicals and Health Branch. This post is located in UN Environment – Economy Division at the Geneva duty station.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Head of Knowledge and Risk Unit, the duties of this assignment are to:

1. Coordinate and provide guidance to the Global Chemicals Outlook II and the Summary for Policy Makers

The Global Chemicals Outlook II is being developed in response to the mandates received through Decision 27/12 adopted by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme in 2013, and Resolution 2/7 on sound management of chemicals and waste adopted at the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2016. The ICA will support the finalization of the outlook and the summary for policy makers under development, work closely with authors, analyse comments and coordinate the final products development including design, layout and launching in early 2019. 

The outlook captures the current state of scientific, management and policy knowledge in order to support policymakers and stakeholders in the sound and sustainable management of chemicals and waste until and beyond 2020.

1. Provide strategic support to advance a common global understanding of sustainable chemistry

In response to the mandate received through Resolution 2/7 of the UN Environment Assembly, a draft report analysing best practices in sustainable chemistry has been prepared in the first quarter of 2018 and was presented to the second meeting of the intersessional process on the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020. The ICA will provide strategic advice and support towards the identification and development of priority work streams on sustainable chemistry as well as on key stakeholders already working on this area and that can join efforts with UN Environment. Furthermore, the ICA will provide expert advice and support the development of the draft project document on sustainable chemistry.  

Impact of results

• Current state of scientific, management and policy knowledge in the sound and sustainable management of chemicals and waste available for decision makers at UNEA-4 through the launching of the Global Chemicals Outlook II and the summary for policy-makers.
• Enhanced knowledge and understanding of trends, innovative solutions and perspectives on areas to develop. 
• Coordinate and support boosting communication and understanding among member states on priority work streams on sustainable chemistry.
• Project on sustainable chemistry defined and ready to start implementation.

• Coordinate the preparation of the Global Chemicals Outlook II and the Summary for Policy Makers:
• Analyse and incorporate comments (as appropriate) received by members of the Steering Committee and other stakeholders to the first draft of the Global Chemicals Outlook.
• Work closely with authors, make relevant changes in the Global Chemicals Outlook II draft.
• Develop the Summary for Policy Makers.
• Support the coordination of the design, layout and other activities related to the publication of the Global Chemicals Outlook II.
• Initiate and support outreach and communication, including preparation of materials for the media
• Contribute to the launch of the Global Chemicals Outlook II in early 2019
• Provide expert advice and strategic support to advance a common global understanding of sustainable chemistry
• Identify and develop of priority work streams on sustainable chemistry.
• Provide strategic advice on key stakeholders in sustainable chemistry.
• Support the development of the draft project document on sustainable chemistry.

a. Education

• Required: Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: environmental management, industrial/chemical/environmental/process engineering, business administration, or a related technical field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying, experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in international organizations; experience in the area of environmental affairs and chemicals and waste management is required.
• Relevant experience at international level related to chemicals management is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience developing technical, scientific and policy information to international community is desirable.
• Experience providing technical advice on environment, chemicals management is desirable.
• Prior knowledge of working in UN System

c. Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Key Competencies 


• In-depth knowledge of the international chemicals and waste policy context
• Strong knowledge of a broad range of topics relevant for the Global Chemicals Outlook II and sustainable chemistry
• Demonstrated skills in engaging with member states and other stakeholders, including on topics of potentially controversial nature
• Experience in supporting the development of policy relevant reports/publications
• Ability to build relationships with key strategic partners
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Planning and organization skills

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Travel: Travel will be processed by substantive officer 

This position is based in Switzerland and the fee is subject to taxes levied by the Swiss authorities.