Sustainable Environmental Management Specialist

Organizational Context

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) promotes and protects universal human rights. The East and Southern Africa Regional Hub (ESARH) specifically focuses on economic, social, and cultural rights, and is increasing its engagement on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment (R2HE). This assignment supports OHCHR's efforts to implement sustainable environmental management (SEM) practices to reduce its operational footprint and advance R2HE, aligning with the UN Sustainability Strategy.

Job Purpose

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment supports the OHCHR East and Southern Africa Regional Hub (ESARH) in implementing sustainable environmental management (SEM) practices to reduce its environmental footprint and advance the Right to a Healthy Environment (R2HE). The role involves integrating R2HE considerations into programming, particularly concerning Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR). The assignment aims to contribute to OHCHR's work on R2HE through research, reporting, and awareness-raising, implement the organization's environmental sustainability policy, and support coordination efforts under the UN-wide Greening the Blue initiative.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer will advance the implementation of OHCHR’s environmental sustainability policy through staff engagement, capacity building, and awareness-raising on sustainable environmental management. Responsibilities include supporting greenhouse gas (GHG) data collection and reporting for the ESARH and its country presences via the Greening the Blue initiative. The role involves supporting office-wide advocacy on SEM and human rights, coordinating environmental assessments, and establishing green initiatives. Additionally, the volunteer will research and analyze information on R2HE and its human rights impact, assist in drafting reports, support regional mapping of environmental human rights trends, and engage with government counterparts, the African Union Commission, UN partners, and civil society.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of relevant experience is required in human rights, activism, climate change, sustainability, or related fields. Experience in environmental policy, assessment, audit, research, monitoring, or advocacy is beneficial. Familiarity with the UN system, sustainable development, or the Greening the Blue initiative is desirable. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools is necessary.

Skills

Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, creativity, judgment, planning, organization, professionalism, self-management, respect for diversity, and teamwork. Essential skills involve communication, advocacy, public information, community development, and legal affairs.

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