Position: Executive Secretary of Joint Secretariat for Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, Geneva (Deadline: April 12, 2014)

I saw on the Joint Secretariat website that Jim Willis, the current Executive Secretary, is retiring and a vacancy announcement has already been posted.  

Link is here, and info pasted below.

This is obviously a very senior UNEP position, but an amazing opportunity for somebody with the right background.  Willis was a long-time career manager at EPA but also had done a stint at UNEP before becoming the Executive Secretary of the Joint Secretariat.

Job Title:          Executive Secretary, D2

           

Department/ Office:   United Nations Environment Programme

           

Duty Station:   GENEVA

           

Posting Period:            11 February 2014-12 April 2014

           

Job Opening number: 14-ADM-UNEP-32570-D-GENEVA (X)

Org. Setting and Reporting
	The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is “to be the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations System and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment”. This position is located in the Joint Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposals, the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at the Geneva duty-station. The Executive Secretary will report to the Executive Director through the Deputy Executive Director and within delegated authority the Director will be responsible for the following:
		Responsibilities
	In performing his/her functions, the Executive Secretary shall fully respect the legal autonomy of the three conventions; provide equal commitment to the implementation of the three conventions; demonstrate increased efficiency and effectiveness in the cooperation and coordination of the three secretariats; and maximize the effective and efficient use of resources. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Direct and manage efficiently and effectively the Secretariat of the three conventions; 2. Contribute to the implementation of the mandates and missions of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and to the formulation of the three conventions’ overall strategies and policies; Act in an advisory capacity to the UNEP Executive Director and the Presidents and the Bureaus of the conventions as well as their subsidiary bodies; Provide contributions and leadership to the development and implementation of innovative and/or change management programmes across the conventions; Coordinate the preparations for the meetings of the conventions. 3. Formulate for adoption by the Conference of the Parties (COPs)  and implement the substantive work programme of the conventions; Coordinate and lead the provision of technical assistance and capacity building development under the conventions; Coordinate the assistance to Parties, in particular developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, in a synergetic manner; Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the joint Secretariat; Ensure that activities are carried out in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner and in a synergestic approach. 4. Lead the development of strategies and policies and undertake fund raising and donor reporting; Lead the strategic interagency work of the Secretariat in close coordination with UNEP and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements as appropriate; Coordinate the preparation of documents and reports for COPs and intersessional meetings. 5. Oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Secretariat; Oversee the recruitment and development of staff, encourage and foster team-work and communication among staff; Chair meetings and seminars on substantive-related issues, represent the Secretariat at conferences, meetings and seminars. 6. Perform other duties as may be assigned.
		Competencies
	• Professionalism: Knowledge of and professional competence in the fields related to the mandates of the three conventions and their overarching goal; Ability to think strategically and to clearly articulate a strategic direction; Capacity to manage and develop people, to lead high performance teams and to work cooperatively; Facilitation of  and conducting of inter-governmental negotiating processes as well as handling of a multidisciplinary portfolio of tasks and duties; Integrity, openness and transparency in dealing with all stakeholders; Possesses understanding of the chemicals and wastes agenda; Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; Persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue the same direction. • Leadership: Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change and improvement; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
		Education
	Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, natural science, chemistry, economics, public administration or related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
		Work Experience
	Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience, including managerial experience, working with or in an international organization in the environmental field is required.  Experience in resource mobilization and donor reporting in an international organization is required.  Experience in change management and managing in complex and multicultural settings is required.  Experience in the United Nations Common System or other international organizations is desirable.
		Languages
	English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
		Assessment Method
	Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency based interview.
		Special Notice
	Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.  On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
		United Nations Considerations
	The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
		No Fee
	THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.