Summary
Date Posted: Monday, October 18, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Supervisor: Expert ENRG and, or Expert RCA /P4.
Duty Station: OACPS Secretariat, Belgium

Organisational Context
Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Expert for Environmental and Natural Resources Governance or the Expert for Resilience and Climate Action, depending on the tasking, the Officer for Environment and Climate Action, working closely with the Senior Officer for Environment and Climate Action will assist ECA efforts in the provision of policy and technical advice related to environmental, natural resources governance and management, and risk resilience and climate action priorities of members and regions of the OACPS. Such assistance and support will contribute to OACPS members and regions pursuit of achieving the overall objectives of poverty reduction and sustainable development, within the context of resilience and climate action.

She/he will ensure high quality, accurate and consistent work output that promotes & embraces a client-oriented approach, consistent with OACPS rules and regulations.

The incumbent will support and assist in the implementation of ECA policy and technical initiatives, including supporting meetings with members and regions of the OACPS, and with partners which could be held in different modes (face-to-face; virtual) and settings (Brussels/ Geneva/ Capitals/ Other); as well as working in multidisciplinary teams made up of diverse cultures, expertise, and experiences, from in and across the regions and members of the OACPS. She/he will provide requisite support and assistance to ECA initiatives into OACPS governing organs (Committee of Ambassadors, Council of Ministers, and OACPS PA and JPA) and relevant working arms of these organs (such as the Subcommittee for Sustainable Development and Fisheries Working Group) and subsidiary and consultative organs (such as the SIDS Forum), on environmental and natural resources governance (food systems and food security, earth and ocean systems, sustainable management, use and conservation matters and the underpinning imperatives of risk resilience (disaster risk reduction and disaster management) and climate action (adaptation and mitigation).

In the performance of his/her duties, the Officer for Environment and Climate Action would actively participate and collaborate with other OACPS departments, given the cross-cutting nature of environmental and climate action priorities, including but not limited to, food systems transformation and food security, health, education, energy, disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

The Officer will be required to assist in preparing OACPS’ strategic advocacy and engagement efforts at regional and global levels, such as with regional agencies of OACPS regions, Secretariats of key Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (for biodiversity, chemicals and waste, climate change, disaster reduction and ocean governance), UN specialist agencies (for meteorology, food - agriculture and fisheries). In addition, she/he will assist in supporting ECA’s efforts in the implementation of OACPS -EU partnership agreement including working closely with relevant Directorates General of the European Commission (EC) on matters related to environment and climate action, whether at intra OACPS, OACPS-wide and global levels.

The Officer will be required to assist ECA to maintain a current digital register of OACPS’ policy and technical Focal Points (such as for resilience and climate change, fisheries), to coordinate OACPS collective efforts to achieve good ocean governance, sustainably manage, use and conserve the environment, adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, prevent disaster risk, and secure requisite resources to enhance OACPS members and regions’ pursuit to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable, resilient development.

Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of Key Functions:
• Under the supervision of the Expert for Environmental and Natural Resources Governance or the Expert for Resilience and Climate Action, and working closely with the Senior Officer – Environment and Climate Action:
• Assists and supports preparation of ECA contributions to the inputs of the decision-making processes and mechanisms of the OACPS’ Organs, through ensuring that the Department of Environment and Climate Action’s (ECA) contributions into the meetings including, inter alia, meeting reports, position papers, declarations, issues papers, decisions and resolutions are of high standard and delivered in a timely manner.
• Assists and supports ECA contributions to the effective implementation and monitoring of OACPS decisions in the areas of environment and climate action, including through supporting the organisation of meetings of the Sub-committee on Sustainable Development, Fisheries Working Group and relevant Ad-hoc Working Groups, as well as contributing to efficient functioning of the meetings of the Committee of Ambassadors and the OACPS SIDS Forum (a subsidiary and consultative organ under the revised Georgetown Agreement (2020).
• Assists and supports ECA contributions in the strengthening of collaboration, cooperation and coordination efforts of the OACPS with relevant regional and international organisations, in particular the EC and relevant UN agencies, IFIs, OACPS regional agencies with remit for the environmental governance, sustainable management, use and conservation, and resilience & climate action - to support OACPS’ overall objectives to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development goals.
• Assists and supports ECA’s observations, engagement and assessment of regional and global environmental, and resilience and climate change policy debates within the overarching OACPS policy framework.
• Provides support and assistance to ECA’s monitoring and evaluation, coordination and guidance responsibilities including preparatory support to the ASG and relevant Expert into Programme Steering Committee meetings, for effective implementation of existing 11th EDF intra-ACP and Global projects and programmes.
• Assists ECA preparations for technical assistance, capacity building and coordination support to members and regions of the OACPS to address climate change & resilience, biodiversity, land and ocean degradation, drought and desertification and other sustainable development issues, including identifying resource and partnership opportunities.
• Assists, where requested, ECA in monitoring all future developments of MEAs and other key multilateral agreements including, but not limited to the UNCBD, UNCCD, Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction, SAMOA Pathway, 2030 Agenda and SDGs, and the Paris Agreement.
• Assist in maintaining ECA’s watching briefs of environmental and climate action initiatives at global and regional levels, to ensure consistency with OACPS policies.
• Provides assistance and support to ECA in the convening OACPS meetings with all relevant stakeholders, to pursue OACPS interests that assist implementation of outcomes and decisions of MEAs, and key relevant other multilateral agreements and processes related to OACPS’ environment and climate action agenda such as the UN Ocean Conference.

Impact of Results
The key results will have an impact at national, regional and global levels as the activities will contribute to the sustainable management, use and conservation of the environment and natural resources of members and region of the OACPS, through advocacy and engagement on OACPS environment and climate action policy. Strengthened OACPS international cooperation efforts will result in partnerships with regional and international agencies, increasing OACPS’ visibility and enhancing action on the ground in the areas of environmental and climate action for sustainable development that is resilient to all risks.

Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
• Understands the structure and hierarchy of the Secretariat of the OACPS, process flows throughout the OACPS, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of key clients.

Functional Competencies:
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of environment, natural resources governance and management, and resilience and climate action and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and/or French; Good Knowledge of technical, scientific and political aspects of climate change in developing countries.

Managerial Competencies:
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.
• Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• High degree of motivation, flexible, reliable and responds effectively to changing demands.

Behavioural Competencies:
• Demonstrates respect for and understanding of diverse points of view in daily work and decision-making.
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages, asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
• Demonstrates strength of character and ability to stay calm and show maturity in stressful situations.

Qualifications
• A master’s degree or equivalent in Climate Change, Environmental Sciences or Natural Resource Management or in other fields related to Climate Change & Resilience, and Environmental and Natural Resources Governance.

Work experience
• Minimum of three (3) years relevant professional experience addressing environmental and climate action issues, with at least two years being at national or regional level. Proven practice experience in one or more areas of climate change & resilience, biodiversity, land and ocean degradation, drought and desertification issues will be an added advantage.

Language Requirements
• Good command of English or French or Portuguese or Spanish. A working knowledge of at least one of the other three would be an added advantage.

Special Notice
Candidates for the post must be nationals of Member States from the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions and must therefore attach a copy of their valid passport for proof of nationality. Applications from non-ACP nationals will not be considered.

Staff Members of the OACPS are subject to the authority of and duties assigned by the Secretary-General and will discharge their functions under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

All employment decisions are made on the suitability of the candidate and the needs of the OACPS. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

The appointment to this position is for an initial period of 3 years and renewal thereof is subject to the needs of the OACPS and availability of the post or funds.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

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Job application procedure

Applications for this post should be sent by e-mail to: hr@acp.int and must reach the Secretariat by midnight on the deadline date.

Applications must be accompanied by updated curriculum vitae completed in the following format: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/cv/compose. Applications in another format will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further evaluation. Applicants must provide copies of degrees, diplomas, certificates and any other document attesting to their competence and professional experience.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and those under serious consideration will be subjected to reference checks.

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