This position is located in Kinshasa, in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Environmental Affairs Officer reports to the Director of Mission Support.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Mission Support, the Environmental Affairs Officer will be responsible for managing the Environmental Unit and for coordinating and managing actions on environmental issues in the mission, chiefly establishing, implementing, monitoring and revising as necessary the Environmental Management System (EMS), in accordance with the Department of Field Support (DFS) Environment Strategy. The duties listed below are part and parcel of this task on the DFS EMS implementation in the mission: Policy and Guidance / Planning
Support the Director in implementing the DPKO/DFS environmental policy and draft relevant specific guidance for the mission (including directives, Annual Mission Environmental statement, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.).
Coordinate the development of and monitor the implementation of the MEAP, including data collection and reporting.
Produce the mission’s Environmental Action Plan (EAP).
Coordinate and manage the Environmental Action Planning and Performance of the Mission in the eAPP platform
Coordinate the annual development of mission’s Environmental Action Plan (MEAP) with relevant sections and liaise with data owners to ensure that the mission’s Environmental Performance and Risk Management System is completed and submitted.
Produce the Environmental Emergency Preparedness Plan with relevant offices. Management of Environmental Unit
Manage/supervise the environmental unit of the mission.
Oversee the administration and recruitment of personnel of the environmental unit.
Provide regular reports to MHQ on ongoing projects as well as new requirements for the Sector, implementing feedback received from MHQ. Environmental Monitoring and Risk Management
Undertake regular environmental inspections in all mission’s sites as well as contractors’ disposal sites if any, identifying in priority potential risks and possible improvement of performance, provide recommendations accordingly.
Conduct environmental assessments and surveys of operations in the mission, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in liaison with relevant sections.
Produce the mission’s Environmental Baseline Study (EBS), if no such study has been done, or update existing EBS, as necessary.
Maintain a record of environmental issues and actions thereon at the mission, including, for example, a list of potentially hazardous installations within the mission (e.g., petrol station, warehouse storing flammables) in cooperation with fire marshals or other staff at the mission designated to deal with emergencies.
liaise with relevant sections and Military and Police Environmental Focal points to get a regular update on inventory of hazardous substances.
Investigate complaints or reports of pollution, contamination, and other environment-related incidents.
Submit periodic reports on environmental issues at the mission, to the Director of Mission Support including policy compliance status reports as required by DFS
Recommend to the Director of the Director of Mission Support to undertake such measures as may be required to prevent or mitigate environmental problems
Advise relevant officers or offices on environmental issues arising from the assessments, studies, and plans, including environmental information relevant to the operations of the mission. Awareness and Training / Mainstreaming
Promote awareness of environmental issues.
Provide an environmental briefing to all mission personnel including police and military contingents during their induction training.
Mainstream environment into mission-level SOPs, and other relevant guidance and processes.
Engage with contractors, in close coordination with contract management colleagues, on responsibilities when relevant. Coordination and Partner Relations
Liaise on environmental issues with local authorities and the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and relevant United Nations bodies and agencies present in the country or region hosting the mission, as well as regional organizations and diplomatic community when relevant.
Carry out any other tasks required to support the DPKO/DFS Environmental Policy for UN Field Missions, and the environmental objectives of the mission as directed by the Director of Mission Support
Education
Advanced university degree (Master͛s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, International Relations, Communication, International Development or a similar related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
Work Experience
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the environmental management field with a national government/administration is required. Experience in a large firm or international organization is required. Experience of coordination of environmental management and representation in interagency network is desirable. Experience in evaluation and oversight of environmental compliance is required Experience in project planning is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and ‘knowledge’ of French is ‘desirable’.
