The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal, Canada and is administered by UNEP. This post is located in the CBD Secretariat, Administration Division in Montreal duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent will be responsible for the following main functions:
Responsibilities:
Advises the Executive Secretary and other senior staff on all financial, personnel and administrative questions, including the implementation of the delegation of authority on financial and personnel matters and the undertaking of additional administrative responsibilities from the United Nations.
Identifies potential management reviews of high sensitivity and complexity. Defines problems to be addressed in management reviews.
Prepares SCBD budget proposals, in cooperation with the Executive Secretary, for review by the Conference of the Parties (COP), the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP) and the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing of Genetic Resources (COP/MOP).
Makes budget presentations and participates in discussions with Governments. Monitors, reports on the implementation of the budget and advises the Executive Secretary on redeployment of funds within her authority.
Liaises with Governments of the Parties to the Convention and the Protocol on issues related to contributions.
Provides cost estimates for activities financed from the two Voluntary Trust Funds of the Convention, and the two Voluntary Trust Funds of the Protocol.
Acts as a certifying officer for all SCBD accounts, including local imprest accounts.
Forecasts SCBD income and expenditure and administers financial resources and ensures payments in accordance with UN financial regulations and rules and the delegation of authority to the Executive Secretary of the UNEP-CBD Secretariat.
Exercises control over the staffing table and other sources. Engages and seeks contributions from non-government (private sector) actors to operationalize COP decision XIII/32 with regard to the support of private sector to CBD work.
Advises senior management in the mobilization of voluntary resources.
Supports the Secretariat’s delivery of expected outcomes and outputs, and overall coordination of activities by maintaining an overview of funding needs and liaison with potential donors.
Oversees the management of the Result-Based Management (RBM) Project implementation through effective co-ordination and oversight.
Ensures effective management of risk and resource. Supervises the roll out and use of the UMOJA Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) tool and Implementing Partner Grantor modules in the Secretariat. Produces major/complex reports for senior management and Parties.
Assists the Executive Secretary to develop/implement staffing plans and advises on staff appointments and promotions.
Oversees the recruitment and administration of staff, consultants, experts and short-term conference staff in accordance with UN staff regulations and rules of procedures and the delegation of authority.
Services and acts as an ex officio member of the Departmental Panels (Recruitment Panels) and oversees the internal Performance Appraisal System process.
Assists in the development, recruitment and implementation of staff training programmes.
Evaluates effectiveness of developed training programmes and recommends ways to enhance their impact. Provides recommendations to the Executive Secretary, on the implementation of overall learning strategies and organizational policies and procedures.
Represents management on the Management Committee of the SCBD and liaises with the Staff Association.
Plans requirements and ensures support services in accordance with UN financial regulations and rules and the delegation of authority, including administrative support to organization of sessions of COP, COP-MOPs and Convention and Protocol Subsidiary Bodies, procurement of goods and contracting of services, travel of staff, maintenance of office space and provision of office services; exercises control over non-expendable property, supplies and materials and communications.
Establishes and maintains a set of sound internal policies, procedures, standards and tools consistent with UN policy and practice in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of administrative services; develops and promotes innovations and best practices in these areas.
Provides leadership and direction to the conference service team in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of support services to enable the organization of conferences and workshops.
Advises in general on strategic issues and opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the events management and to provide fully satisfactory client services.
Provides operational advice and guidance to senior management on the format for the conferences, on the planning, resource requirements including for interpretation, allocation of rooms and spaces in line with arising priorities, IT, logistical support, security and any other requisite material arrangements.
Proactively collaborates with ICAO, UNON and other UN offices to establish smooth planning of conferences and workshops and to provide effective support of their organization.
Liaises and coordinates with UNON, ICAO and other offices on personnel and other administrative matters
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, or a related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work 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:
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting and financial management is required.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience supporting the presentation of budget proposals to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions (ACBCQ), the General Assembly or other policy-making organs is required.
A minimum of ten (10) years working experience with the United Nations or other similar large international entities in supervisory capacity is required.
A minimum of five (5) years working experience in administrative and financial management of large conferences such as Conference of Parties or similar international events are required.
Experience working with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in general administration, financial and human resources is desirable.
Experience with Business Intelligence Reporting within an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System such as SAP is desirable.
Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English language is required.
Fluency in French language is desirable.
Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
