Research Assistant

Posting Title: Research Assistant, G6

Job Code Title: Research Assistant

Organization: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Posting Period: 15 August 2023 - 13 September 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Social Affairs-UNEP-212420-R-Geneva (X)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is 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 located is in the Science and Technical Assistance Branch of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), at Geneva duty station.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Science and Technical Assistance Branch, the Incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

Reviews a variety of information sources (e.g. specialized search engines, bibliographic gateways to scientific and technical journals, articles, abstracts, chemicals databases, etc.) to retrieve scientific and technical data and information that meet the needs of the Secretariats; selects most important and circulates among the staff; develops and maintains a database of sources.

Reviews a variety of document drafts in English, French and Spanish (meeting documents, SOPs presentations, publications, reports) for accuracy, data quality, and clarity. Ensures proper use of the terminologies of the United Nations, UNEP, Conventions and scientific / technical terminologies (e.g. chemical names, names of equipment and processes, units, etc.).

Assists in the preparation of documentation and reports for meetings.

Assists in the preparation of meeting documents: selects, collects, analyses, and evaluates data / information; summarizes information, compiles comments by Parties and provides statistics and specific data. Assembles, examines and adjusts original statistical material to ensure accuracy, clarity and validity.

Prepares, maintains and updates files and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, charts, graphs, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.

Assists in the planning and implementation of data and information collection, compilation and aggregation activities, including the preparation of surveys and questionnaires and electronic reports.

Monitors notifications and submissions by Parties and observers relative to scientific and technical issues, reviews for accuracy and completeness, catalogues and records them in databases.

Monitors proposals and Conference of the Parties decisions on listing of new chemicals and implement/oversee the updating of the relevant databases to allow the inclusion of the new chemicals within the information management system.

Contributes to and updates assigned sections of the BRS website; screens and reviews relevant matters for publication on the website; prepares web page prototypes for discussion with the Conference and Information Services Branch (CISB) and programme managers.

Participates in the inter-branch team for the design, preparation and maintenance of the country profile for each Party to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions; collaborates in the design, development and maintenance of chemical profiles. Collaborates with programme officers and IT developers in the design and development of electronic tools for information collection and compilation. Collaborates in the design, development and maintenance of the cataloguing system for the documents management system of the Secretariat.

Manages the internal library section of the Secretariat's document management system; designs, implements and maintains the metadata system to contain bibliographic descriptions.

Participates in the substantive and policy discussions of the branch. Assist in the planning, monitoring and reporting of the Branch's activities. Assist in the COP and subsidiary body meetings (act as contact group assistant, act as helpdesk to respond to general queries from delegates, liaise between teams, etc.).

Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.

Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of chemistry in particular, scientific and technical knowledge and understanding as it relates to hazardous chemicals and wastes. Knowledge of information technology, including information management, database operations and HTML language. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required.
University studies in science, engineering or related fields is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Coursework/training in computing is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant working experience in collecting and processing data and information in the science and technology or related areas is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first level University degree.

Experience of information technology, including information management, database operations and HTML language, is desirable.

Experience in research and/or technical and scientific work in the chemicals and wastes area is desirable.

A minimum of one (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is required. Knowledge of other official United Nations languages is desirable.

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

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.

Internal Applicants – when completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.

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