ReliefWeb: Environmental and Sustainability Officer| ReliefWeb

Vacancy 2021 44

Both internal and external candidates are welcome

Position Title

:

Environmental and Sustainability Officer

Duty Station

:

IOM Washington DC (USRAP).

Classification

:

NO-B

Type of appointment

:

Fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the possibility to extend. Full-time (100%)

Estimated Start Date

:

As soon as possible

Closing Date

:

January 6, 2022

IOM was founded in 1951 and is a Related Organization of United Nations. As the foremost UN agency in the field of immigration, it works closely with governmental and intergovernmental partners. IOM promotes humane and orderly migration to the benefit of all. It does this by providing advice and services for governments and migrants.

BACKGROUND:

IOM’s global initiatives were launched in 2017 by the IOM. Environmental Sustainability ProgrammeWith the goal of integrating environmental sustainability principles into the Organization (C/109/4). The Organization made an institutional pledge to improve the environmental sustainability in its operations at strategic, programmatic, and facility levels. This commitment focused on three key areas, energy, water, and waste management.

In partnership with relevant stakeholders, the Programme has been working since 2017 to align IOM with UN system-wide efforts to achieve climate neutrality (with the support of the UN).UN Climate Neutral Strategy, 2007 United Nations Climate Neutrality Strategy for the System by 2020 and the Related Goals Towards Enhancing Environmental Sustainability of United Nations Operations2015) and establishing environment management systems (EMS).Strategic Plan for Sustainability Management in United Nations System, 2011.; HLCM/CEB Decision on Strategic Plan for Environmental Sustainability Management (2013).

2019 was a pivotal year for environmental sustainability efforts within the UN system, IOM included. The UN Agencies, including IOM, worked together in the first half to create a common strategy for the UN’s environmental management. The following year, the Strategy for Sustainability Management within the UN System 2020-2030; Phase 1: Environmental Sustainability in ManagementIn May 2019, heads of Agencies endorsed the document. A critical mass of UN heads, including IOM, also signed the document Joint Appeal from the UN System to the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summitat the CEB, which includes commitments referring t strengthening environmental sustainability as well as climate action commitments within Agencies.

IOM joined UN efforts in 2017 to report and measure environmental performance in accordance with these commitments. It piloted the greenhouse gases inventory in headquarters, one regional and one country offices in 2017. The greenhouse gas inventory was expanded to all regional offices in 2018. All IOM offices worldwide were given access to the greenhouse gas and water inventories in 2019, and early 2020. Building on this work, the purpose of this position is to focus on the environmental impact of one of IOM’s flagship programmes, the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) which operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of refugees each year. IOM’s multi-disciplinary staff members provide a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs

Context:

Under the general supervision of the Global Programme Coordinator, USRAP, the direct supervision of the Change Management Advisor and in close coordination with the Migration Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Division at Headquarters, the global USRAP Team,the Movement Management (RMM) Division, and other relevant units in Headquarters, the successful candidate will support the IOM’s environmental inventory process in line with IOM’s institutional approach with a special focus on USRAP programming.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. In collaboration with the MECC, determine scope and boundaries for USRAP programming at facility/operations and program/project levels.
2. In coordination with ESP, map all environmental aspects and environmental impacts related to USRAP programming both at facility/operations level and projects/program level in line with IOM’s institutional approach to environmental management.
3. Prepare background documentation for the inventory process that will be launched in March 2022. This includes reviewing the environmental performance reports and inputs data received in 2019 or 2020 for offices where USRAP staff was hosted or USRAP activity took place; reviewing individual reporting template to be used for disseminating environmental performance data to offices; reviewing relevant market information (electricity, waste, and water) for use as proxy for inventories.
4. Coordinate with the MECC Division to customize the greenhouse gas, waste, and water inventory excel sheets to include USRAP specific questions, if necessary.
5. As part the annual IOM environmental inventory led by the ESP gather and review data from all IOM Facilities on greenhouse gas emissions and water management where USRAP personnel are hosted or USRAP activities occur.
6. In line with IOM’s institutional approach, calculate carbon, water and waste footprint for offices where USRAP personnel is hosted or USRAP activities take place. Once location-specific information is available, calculate proportionate data based upon USRAP occupancy.
7. After final calculations have been verified in coordination with MECC Division you can upload selected excel files to UN system-wide inventory tool (TBD).
8. Prepare a progress report that provides an overview of the environmental inventory process. Also rank USRAP locations according to their environmental impacts.
9. Based on the initial (soft) baseline obtained through the environmental inventory process, prepare an Environmental Management Plan in coordination with the MECC Division. This plan will include activities to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints of USRAP activities.
10. You can use the global design template as a guideline to draft a global and individual report template on environmental performance.
11. As part of the global environmental inventory process, generate global IOM environmental inventory reports that cover missions where USRAP personnel are hosted or USRAP activities are taking place.
12. Write content for the IOM Greening the Blue site and other relevant sites by using good practices from environmental inventories.
13. Other related duties may be required

Experience and qualifications required

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, business administration, facility management or related fields from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,

• Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields with two years of relevant professional experience

Experience

• Demonstrated experience with planning, designing and implementing environmental audits and inventories;

• Demonstrable experience working in developing countries

• Demonstrated experience within the transportation and mobility industries

• Prior work experience as a lead environmental officer with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.

• Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, national/international institutions, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations;

Skills

• In-depth knowledge about the most recent industry standards related to environmental management frameworks. (ISO 14001, or equivalent).

• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations relating to waste, water, or air regulation;

• Strong project management skills. Takes initiative to solve problems, create plans, and then follow-through with projects to completion.

• Ability to work well and harmoniously with colleagues of different cultures and professional backgrounds.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are required to communicate complex issues to diverse audiences and to prepare and present recommendations, papers, and other documents.

Languages

Fluency in English is essential for this job. Spanish and/or French are a strong advantage

Required Competencies

The incumbent must demonstrate the following competencies and values:

Values

• Respect for diversity and inclusion: Respects and promotes individual and culture differences; encourages diversity wherever possible.
• Integrity, transparency and compliance: Upholds high ethical standards and acts in accordance to organizational principles/rules/standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Shows ability to work in a composed and competent manner, and uses careful judgment when faced with daily challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Encourages and develops effective collaboration within units and across units in order to achieve common goals and maximize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in an efficient and timely manner.
• Management and sharing knowledge: Always looking to learn, share knowledge, and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes clear and open communication; explains complicated matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivating way

If the number of direct reports (10th row from the top) for SES is higher than zero, then these managerial competencies are inserted.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others and building trust: Creates an environment of trust and an enabling climate where staff can contribute their best to the company and realize their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.