Country Engagement Coordinator

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s 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 Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is hosted by UNEP, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). These organizations serve as the joint host of the GGKP Secretariat (www.greengrowthknowledge.org) on behalf of the GGKP Steering Committee Members (UNEP, GGGI, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the World Bank). The GGKP is a global network of over 70 international organizations, research institutes, and think tanks focused on promoting a green economy transition by:

• identifying major knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice and addressing these gaps through the promotion of collaboration and coordinated research; and 

• using world-class knowledge management and communication tools to provide practitioners, policymakers, and other experts with opportunities to access, share, and utilize green growth policy analysis, guidance, information, and data.

The GGKP aims to achieve these objectives, in part, through collaborative knowledge generation, in-country knowledge application, and policy advocacy. The GGKP Knowledge Generation and Application Programme organizes collaborative expert groups that bring senior representatives from key green growth institutions together with like-minded global experts. GGKP expert groups identify green growth knowledge gaps and collaborate to fill those gaps through GGKP knowledge application and advocacy in the field. 

A consultant is sought to act as coordinator of the GGKP Knowledge Generation and Application Programme’s country engagement effort. This will involve the coordination of joint activities with in-country partners, collaboration with global experts and institutions in selected regions, organization of stakeholder events, and execution of administrative tasks such as travel and procurement requests. The consultant will act as the country engagement focal point and liaise closely with relevant GGKP and partner teams, including members of the GGKP Natural Capital Expert Group.

The purpose of this assignment is to assist the GGKP with the implementation and expansion of the Knowledge Generation and Application Programme, and is expected to include the following tasks:

• Evaluate recommendations and background research for the development of concept notes and project proposals aimed at supporting country engagement;

• Aid the rollout of workplans and delivery milestones for the implementation of project activities in prioritized countries and regions;

• Support global experts and practitioners to collaboratively develop and improve GGKP knowledge products and tools in support of national green growth planning;

• Organize events aimed at engaging and capacity-building for national and regional stakeholders and stakeholder institutions; 

• Support the development of communications materials, background notes, slides and proposals for improving the impact of GGKP’s Knowledge Generation and Application Programme;

• Provide proactive country-related updates to the GGKP web platforms; and

• Support the timely production of administrative requests in support of these activities. 

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• One assessment of natural capital gaps to meet national SDG targets in 20 countries;

• One report produced for applying marine natural capital methods to achieve the SDGs in an African country;

• One concept note prepared to pursue a new national-level country engagement in 2022, in Africa or

• elsewhere;

• One updated 2021 resource mobilization calendar for the GGKP Secretariat, and one meeting summary

• capturing the substance and action items deriving from an end-of-year event in Africa;

• One African gaps report produced;

• One report produced for applying land natural capital methods to achieve the SDGs in an African country;

• One report produced for applying natural capital methods in an African development finance project.

a. Education 

• Master’s or higher degree in environmental economics, development economics, environmental management, development finance, or a related field is required; 

• A combination of a first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above;

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of 5 years of experience is required,  preferably in  environmental economics, development economics, environmental management, development finance, or a related field;

• Experience in an international organization, and familiarity with green growth and natural capital research, concepts, initiatives and tools, are a plus;     

c. Language 

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in  English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is a plus

Contract type:  Individual Contract Agreement (ICA)
Contract level:  I-ICA 2
Contract duration: One year

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.