UNOPS - Global Monitoring Officer

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Background Information - Job-specific

UN-Water is the United Nations (UN) inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater related issues, including sanitation. It was formally established in 2003 building on a long history of collaboration in the UN family. It currently counts 31 UN agencies and organizations as Members and 36 other international Partners. UN-Water complements and adds value to existing UN initiatives by facilitating synergies and joint efforts among the implementing agencies. In doing so, UN-Water seeks to: (a) improve the coherence in UN System actions at all levels, and in particular at the country level; (b) contribute to the global policy debate on water-related issues through active participation in global policy fora and events and the production of assessments and policy briefs; (c) contribute to increased knowledge on water-related issues through relevant monitoring and reporting mechanisms and by serving as an entry point for water-related indicators, data and information; and (d) identify emerging issues related to global water challenges and provide a platform for UN system strategic discussions on how to prepare for and cope with them more effectively. For further information: www.unwater.org

With the new Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda coming in shape and with a dedicated goal on water and sanitation, there is a need to advance global monitoring of the sector. The currently proposed Sustainable Development Goal 6 includes six technical targets and two targets on means of implementation, for which the UN system, through UN-Water, is currently developing indicators and monitoring framework. Targets 6.1 and 6.2 represent a clear continuation and improvement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) commitment on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Targets 6.3 to 6.6 expand the vision to cover the whole water cycle, including water quality, wastewater management, water-use efficiency, integrated water resources management and water-related ecosystems.

Concerning targets 6.3 to 6.6, for the past decades several initiatives have been collecting information and monitoring data on these components of the water cycle, but a global method and monitoring mechanism still need to be refined. To respond to this need, a number of UN agencies have joined forces to develop GEMI – Integrated monitoring of water and sanitation related SDG targets, an inter-agency initiative operating under the UN-Water umbrella and complementing the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation and the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS). GEMI aims to support Member States and the international community in measuring progress towards the proposed SDG 6, based on a coherent monitoring and reporting framework. This will be done through the development of a set of monitoring methods, integrated into a monitoring guide to support the national processes. Given the central role of countries, an important component of GEMI is the engagement with Member States to enhance their monitoring capacity, both through regional and national level interventions. For further information: http://www.unwater.org/gemi/

 Given the high degree of interagency coordination needed, the UN-Water Technical Advisory Unit hosts the GEMI Coordination Team, which will provide overall administrative, communications and outreach support and facilitate coordination across all components of GEMI.

The Global Monitoring Officer leads the GEMI Coordination Team, serving the convened inter-agency governance structure. She/he is part of the UN-Water Technical Advisory Unit and works under the direct supervision of the UN-Water Chief Technical Adviser. It is anticipated that a dedicated administrative staff will be hired to support the GEMI Coordination Team. The duty station is in Geneva, Switzerland.

The incumbent’s functional responsabilities broadly fall under the following areas: 1) supporting coordination in GEMI at all levels, as directed by the steering committee; 2) supporting the communication of global monitoring for water and sanitation;and 3) facilitating and supporting GEMI regional and country level activities as needed by the UN agencies resposible for these activities.

 It is expected that the incumbent will deliver on the above descirbed functional responsabilities, under minor supervision, in an accurate and timely manner, applying relevant policies, guidelines, procedures and processes as appropriate. It is further expected that the incumbent establishes effective working relationships with internal and external contacts at all levels.

To coordinate interagency work and facilitate multistakeholder processes in the inclusive and transparent spirit of UN-Water, excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential as well as a high degree of professionalism. To administer the work in an effective and timely manner, excellent project management and organisational skills are essential.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities. 

Within delegated authority, the Global Monitoring Officer is responsible for the following:

1. Support coordination in GEMI at all levels

1.1 Lead the GEMI Coordination Team and manage all related tasks, including technical aspects, administration and logistics, also with respect to the UN-Water Inter-Agency Trust Fund and relations with UNOPS.

1.2 Support the work of GEMI Target Teams and facilitate the timely preparation of their work plans, delivery of outputs and regular progress reports.

1.3 Support and coordinate the organisation and follow-up of the regular meetings of GEMI’s Monitoring Team, steering committee and high-level strategic advisory group.

1.4 Support the participating UN agencies in the development and implementation of a GEMI resource mobilization strategy in close collaboration with other relevant global monitoring initiatives under the UN-Water umbrella.

2. Support the communication of global monitoring for water and sanitation

2.1 Communicate with and facilitate communication and information sharing among relevant stakeholders of water and sanitation global monitoring, in particular within GEMI.

2.2 Together with the participating UN agenices, contribute to establishing and maintaining a dialogue with Member States, relevant organisations and other stakeholders, to ensure that they are informed and engaged in the further development of water and sanitation global monitoring.

2.3 In close liaison with the GEMI steering committee and UN-Water Communications Manager, support the development and implementation of a strategy for external communication of water and sanitation global monitoring results.

3. Facilitate and support GEMI regional and country level activities

3.1 Facilitate and support, as necessary, the regional level work in the GEMI proof-of-concept phase and subsequent global roll-out, including the organisation of regional workshops as necessary.

3.2 Facilitate and support, as necessary, the country level work in the GEMI proof-of-concept phase and subsequent global roll-out, including the liaison with the UN Country Teams the set-up of national focal points and inter-sectoral monitoring teams.

4. Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Has a solid understanding of water resources, management and use and makes an effort to keep up with developments in the field. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work and, where applicable, human rights issues.                                                                               

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.                                                                                                                       

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

Skills
To coordinate interagency work and facilitate multistakeholder processes in the inclusive and transparent spirit of UN-Water, the following skills are essential:

 - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

 - Project management and coordination

 - Monitoring and evaluation

 - Ability to perform analysis and synthesis

- Networking

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, engineering or management, with an environmental or water-related focus.

Experience
The incumbent should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in water‐ and/or environmental-related fields in the international context, with at least 3 years of experience in global monitoring and 3 years of experience in project management. Experience in coordinating and synthesising inputs from expert groups and work in a complex inter-institutional context. Experience in building and promoting good working relationships and collaboration across cultures and distance. Experience in managing water-related networks and field work are considered an advantage.Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Contract level: ICS11/ P-4
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

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