Calling Environmental Leaders: Apply for the Junior Professional Officer Role at UNEP
Calling Environmental Leaders: Apply for the Junior Professional Officer Role at UNEP
UN Environment Junior Professional Officer Request
General Information
Post Title: Associate Programme Manager Officer – Pesticides
Office/Division/MEA: Industry and Economy Division, Chemicals and Health Branch
Unit: Knowledge and Risk Unit
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 2 years
FOLLOW OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Background Information on UN Environment and the Requesting Unit
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) stands as the premier global authority championing environmental causes and orchestrating sustainable development efforts worldwide. Within its extensive framework, UNEP acts as a catalyst, spurring governments, local entities, and industries to adopt policies and practices conducive to sustainable patterns of consumption and production, efficient resource utilization, and safe chemical management.
The Chemicals and Health Branch, nestled within the broader Industry and Economy Division, plays a pivotal role in advancing these objectives. Specifically, the Knowledge and Risk Unit, an integral part of the Chemicals and Health Branch, undertakes the vital task of promoting scientific approaches and knowledge to facilitate the sound management of chemicals.
Calling Environmental Leaders: Apply for the Junior Professional Officer Role at UNEP
Why is the Junior Professional Officer Requested/Needed?
The recruitment of a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) is necessitated by the burgeoning demands within the domain of pesticide management. This role assumes significance in bolstering ongoing efforts such as those aligned with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Meeting on Pesticides Management (JMPM). Furthermore, the JPO will play a crucial role in the implementation of recommendations emanating from seminal reports like the Synthesis Report on Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers.
Beyond these mandates, the JPO will spearhead new initiatives, including the establishment of the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides and the formulation of action plans in this regard. Given the multifaceted nature of these undertakings, extensive collaboration is envisaged with diverse stakeholders ranging from governmental bodies to private sector entities.
Supervision
The Junior Professional Officer will operate within the Knowledge and Risk Unit under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer. Additionally, a structured reporting mechanism involving the Pollution and Health Unit has been devised to ensure seamless coordination with other relevant initiatives. Performance evaluations will be conducted periodically, with a focus on aligning individual contributions with organizational objectives.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Output Expectations
The Junior Professional Officer’s responsibilities encompass a wide array of tasks aimed at advancing the objectives outlined by UNEP. This includes providing substantive support to ongoing initiatives such as the FAO/WHO JMPM and actively contributing to the establishment of the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides.
Moreover, the JPO will play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration with stakeholders and raising awareness about sustainable alternatives to hazardous pesticides. Output expectations entail enhanced participation in relevant forums, effective communication with stakeholders, and the dissemination of informative materials.
Travel
The Junior Professional Officer may be required to undertake missions and travel as part of their responsibilities, facilitating engagement with stakeholders and participation in relevant events.
Training and Learning Elements
Continuous learning and skill development are integral components of the Junior Professional Officer’s tenure. Alongside formal training sessions, mentorship opportunities will be provided to facilitate professional growth.
Qualifications and Experience
Candidates vying for the Junior Professional Officer position should possess an advanced degree in environmental sciences, chemistry, or a related field. A minimum of four years of relevant experience at the national or international level is required, coupled with proficiency in English. Additional proficiency in French would be advantageous.
Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate proficiency in key competencies such as professionalism, teamwork, planning, and organizing. Prior experience in agro-chemicals, international agreements, and chemical risk assessment would be highly beneficial.
Living Conditions at Duty Station
Nairobi, the duty station for this position, offers a vibrant multicultural environment. While living conditions may vary, Nairobi provides a conducive setting for professional and personal growth.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should ensure compliance with specific eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship and educational qualifications. The application process involves submitting a comprehensive application package via email to unep-hr-jpo@un.org. The reference “U.S. UNEP JPO-Program 2024” should be included in the subject line. The deadline for applications is Saturday, June 8, 2024.
Keywords: UN Environment, Junior Professional Officer, Pesticides, UNEP, Nairobi, Chemicals, Sustainable Development, Global Alliance, FAO, WHO, Sustainable Food Systems, Environmental Sciences, Risk Assessment, Agro-chemicals, International Agreements, Environmental Impact, Stakeholder Engagement, Training, Application Deadline, Multicultural Environment, Professional Growth.