Training Associate: Climate Change Programme

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Title: Training Associate Organization: Climate Change Programme Deadline for applications: 31 July 2010 Date of issuance: 29 June 2010 Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland Duration of contract: 12 months Remuneration: Depending on the professional background and experience. Please note that this vacancy in located in Geneva, Switzerland and is a locally recruited position with no international benefits. The contractual status is specific to UNITAR. Areas of Specialization • Project management, planning and implementation • Guidance and training material development • Communication and outreach development • Climate change capacity development Skills and competencies expected from the individual • Highly creative, organized and reliable project manager with the ability to plan, monitor and execute tasks with relatively minimum supervision. Proven skills in conceptualization and fund management an asset. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style. • Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. • Good understanding of the functions of the organization and good general knowledge of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units; knowledge of operational and administrative policies, processes and procedures an asset. • Fluency in English and working knowledge in French an asset and oral communication skills, in particular in English Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Manager, Climate Change programme, the Training Associate will be responsible for the following; • Support the management and coordination of the Programme's projects located in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean and the EU- Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) Support Facility • Conceptualize and develop new training documents/ elearning courses using the knowledge and training methodologies developed at UNITAR • Organize international and national meetings and workshops of the programme • Carry out and implement partnerships with recognized international organizations, national institutions including the development of an international network of climate change practitioners. • Participate in the preparation of project proposals for submission to potential donors. • Prepare communication and outreach material about the Climate Change Programme including participating in activities that enhance and promote the Programme's activities. • Assist and collaborate with other UNITAR programme as appropriate for the functioning of the programme. • Supervise the work of certain staff of the Programme such as consultants and interns. Measurable Outputs: • Project countries and centers of excellence have been facilitated to implement planned activities to address climate change. • Effective support for the development of new proposals and projects • Programme web pages have been systematically updated including the GCCA support to countries website. • Outreach and communication material enhancing the visibility of the Programme is available • New training/e-learning courses have been prepared and available to beneficiaries • International meetings and workshops are successfully organized Performance indicators for evaluation of results: • Outputs are delivered in a timely fashion and of high quality • Communications in dealing with countries are professional and systematic • High quality inputs to guidance and training material development • Demonstrated competence to work with a team spirit and within the structure of the institute • Capacity to identify problem/issues and participate in their solutions • Ability to establish priorities, takes initiative and implements and monitors own work plan. Competencies: • Professionalism: Good understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and good general knowledge of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units; good knowledge of relevant operational and administrative policies, processes and procedures, including records management/filing procedures; ability to accurately prepare a range of unit's outputs, reports, etc.; demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; practical experience in programme/project management and administration; good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; • Planning and organizing - Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. • Communications – Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style. • Technology Awareness – Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, graphics software, spreadsheets and other statistical applications, Internet, etc. • Teamwork – Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. Qualifications: Education: Advanced degree in Management, Public Administration, Communication, Political Science or related discipline, or relevant combination of education and experience. Experience: 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the area of climate change and/or environmental project management, communication and experience working with developing countries an asset. Language: Fluency in oral and written English and very good working knowledge of French is essential; knowledge of another official UN language is an asset. Other Skills: Experience in design and implementation of training programmes for an international (preferably professional) audience. A general understanding in the following areas: International agreements for addressing climate change, including the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, energy conservation, vulnerabilities and impacts associated with atmospheric change and potential adaptive response. UNITAR 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). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Priority will be given to the applicants from the under represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 3 months. How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. A letter of motivation as well as the P11 form/ Curriculum Vitae are to be sent to: estaffingunitar.org UN staff members must submit copies of their latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) report at the time of application.