Afghanistan: Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Coordinator

Organization Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP’s Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental law and policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Post-conflict and Disaster Management Branch (PCDMB) of UNEP/DEPI, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

This position is based in the UNEP/Afghanistan programme’s Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) Unit, which includes teams on climate change, biodiversity, chemicals and waste, and institutional coordination. The main purpose of this position is to lead the UNEP/Afghanistan MEA Unit’s programme of work in order to strengthen capacity in Afghanistan for the country to fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), amongst others. In addition, UNEP and NEPA are jointly executing an additional project for building MEA cross-cutting capacity development (MEA CCCD) across all the aforementioned MEAs. Within this programme of work, the MEA Coordinator will work with international partners, national authorities, technical and sectoral ministries, universities, and non-governmental actors, as well as represent UNEP in relevant national and provincial level coordinating mechanisms. For more information about the UNEP programme in Afghanistan visit: http://www.unep.org/afghanistan/.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Afghanistan Country Programme Manager, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Institutional Coordination and Capacity Building

a) Coordinate with government and non-government stakeholders on research and policy development related to climate change, biodiversity, land degradation, and chemicals.

b) Strengthen inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms to address the country’s various MEA implementation needs, commitments, and obligations.

c) Ensure that the joint UNEP-NEPA MEA coordination team holds regular monthly meetings to facilitate coordination and action across the portfolio of projects under the UNFCCC, CBD, Stockholm Convention, and Montreal Protocol.

d) Promote the integration of MEA-related science and knowledge into development and humanitarian programming.

e) Build government capacity to take a strong lead in international MEA negotiations.

f) Develop strategic regional and international partnerships to facilitate capacity development and regular exchanges of data on climate change, biodiversity, and chemicals.

National Reporting Functions

a) Ensure Afghanistan effectively implements and complies with the reporting obligations under the MEAs to which it is a party, including leading several thematic national working groups for research and compilation of reports themselves.

b) Promote, develop, and strengthen national mechanisms and systems for sharing of environmental data, to be used for current and other future reporting needs.

e) Engage with UNEP global partners to build linkages and assist Afghanistan to participate more actively in submitting data and information to national, regional, and global environmental networks.

Knowledge Management and Outreach

a) Develop a communication, training, and outreach strategy for the MEA Unit to build awareness and capacity across a wide range of stakeholders to understand and address urgent environmental and MEA needs.

b) Develop awareness-raising knowledge products, such as factsheets, posters, brochures, guidance charts, etc.

c) Document lessons learned and best practices from MEA execution, leading to the creation of various knowledge products as well as environmental data records.

d) Prepare 2-3 short technical papers/policy briefs on topics relevant to MEAs in Afghanistan, such as early warning systems, ecosystem-based adaptation, etc.

e) Develop and deliver at least one modular training package on MEAs to be delivered to key government stakeholders and decision-makers.

f) Provide technical support and inputs to Kabul University to develop university-level curriculum on MEAs.

g) Establish a technical MEA reference library, together with NEPA, and housed in Kabul University.

h) Assess relevant tools for the distribution of lessons learned across national, regional, and international networks (GAN, APAN, CDKN, WeAdapt, etc.) and establish long-term knowledge exchange structures with neighbouring and regional countries.

MEA Management

a) Provide leadership and strategic guidance on MEAs, both within the MEA Unit and across the UNEP/Afghanistan programme, to build synergies and connections as relevant.

b) Oversee the execution of joint UNEP-NEPA enabling activities under the UNFCCC, CBD, Stockholm Convention, and Montreal Protocol, including on the development and submission of regular reporting needs.

c) Lead overall management of the MEA CCCD project, including strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, project archiving, progress reporting, risk identification and mitigation, and quality control of activity outputs.

d) Ensure the quality and regular progress of all deliverables of all projects within the MEA Unit.

f) Mentor junior team members on project management to build the capacity of the overall UNEP-NEPA MEA team.

g) Travel periodically to key provinces to ensure sub-national dissemination of MEA activities, knowledge, and partnerships.

Competencies

Professionalism – Excellent knowledge of climate change and environmental management tools. Knowledge of the structure and policies of national environmental authorities and climate change governance in Afghanistan. Knowledge of United Nations and UN humanitarian and development framework. Knowledge of Afghanistan, its history, political setting, and environmental challenges. Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks.

Planning and organizing – Proven ability to work under pressure and to use limited resources effectively, conducting risk analysis and applying contingency measures to adjust plans and resources effectively.

Teamwork – Ability to operate effectively across organizational and country boundaries; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic work environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Proven ability to collaborate with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour.

Communication – Excellent communication skills (written and spoken), including demonstrated experience and ability in developing written proposals, work plans, trainings, workshops, speeches, and presentations.

Leadership – Skills to establish and maintain relationships with a broad range of individuals and institutions to understand needs and gain support. Ability to take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree in environmental or social sciences or related field. A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

At least 5 years of relevant and progressive leadership experience in international environmental projects, with some experience working with Government on implementation of MEAs desirable. Experience with difference aspects of project management including development, planning, implementation, evaluation, supervision of environmental experts and donor relations.

Languages

English and French are the official languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English, as well as at least one of Afghanistan’s national languages (Dari/Pashto), are required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an asset.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.