SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development within the UN system. The Ecosystems Division supports partners with technical assistance and advisory services, strengthening environmental management in developing countries, including those in crisis. This role is within the Disasters and Conflicts Branch in Geneva.

Job Purpose

This role leads and directs UNEP’s environmental response and recovery efforts in fragile and crisis-affected regions. The incumbent coordinates rapid responses to environmental emergencies, conducts environmental assessments, and oversees recovery planning and implementation. Responsibilities include managing team activities, programmatic and administrative tasks, budget planning, and reporting. The position involves identifying programmatic priorities, liaising with country partners and UN entities, and initiating follow-up actions. The role also entails leading field missions, providing guidance, drafting reports, and ensuring gender mainstreaming in all actions. Additionally, it involves directing research on environmental impacts of conflicts and disasters, developing strategic partnerships, mobilizing resources, and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

Lead and direct UNEP’s environmental response and recovery interventions in fragile and crisis-affected countries. Coordinate rapid response to environmental emergencies, including deployments, assessments, and recovery planning. Plan and oversee team activities, manage programmatic and administrative tasks, including planning, implementation, evaluations, budgeting, and performance reporting. Identify programmatic priorities, address issues, and propose corrective actions in consultation with UNEP offices. Liaise with crisis-affected countries and UN partners, initiating follow-up actions. Lead field missions, provide guidance to consultants and officials, and draft mission summaries and technical reports. Ensure gender mainstreaming in all planned actions. Direct research on environmental impacts of conflicts and disasters, and the design and evaluation of recovery interventions. Lead strategic partnership development and resource mobilization for the Response and Recovery Unit. Undertake survey initiatives, guide data collection instrument design, and analyze responses. Supervise the preparation of various written outputs, including reports and studies. Direct support for meetings and conferences, including agenda setting and document preparation. Manage outreach activities, design and conduct training workshops, and deliver presentations. Coordinate budget and funding activities for the response and recovery portfolio. Lead data analysis efforts for planning and decision-making. Serve as a spokesperson in crisis response situations and establish collaborations. Ensure effective staff utilization, supervision, and development.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in environmental programme management is required. Five years of experience in political analysis, environment security, or international relations in conflict/disaster situations is required. Five years of experience in UN field operations or similar international organizations in emergency/crisis settings is required. Experience supervising diverse teams is required. International experience in assessing and responding to environmental issues in complex crisis situations is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Technological Awareness, Leadership, Vision, Environmental Peace and Security, Strategic Planning, Data Analysis, Partnership Development, Resource Mobilization, Gender Mainstreaming, Crisis Response, Team Supervision.

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