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.
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP. This post is located in the Convention on Biological Diversity, Implementation Support Division (ISD). Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Implementation Support Division (ISD) and the direct supervision of the Head of the Capacity-Building and Knowledge Management (CBKM) Unit, the incumbent performs the following duties:
A) Designs and coordinates knowledge management (KM) initiatives, systems and services in support of the Convention and its Protocols: (a) oversees the development and implementation of a KM strategy/component of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework; (b )coordinates the implementation of surveys and audits to identify the knowledge gaps and needs of Parties and stakeholders and map existing knowledge assets; (c) designs and manages the information and knowledge architecture for the CBD; (d) coordinates the creation of knowledge taxonomies, metadata schemes, thesauri, controlled vocabularies and other knowledge organization systems; (e) develops and maintains knowledge-sharing and collaboration tools, knowledge repositories and workspaces to facilitate the exchange of experiences, best practices and lesson learned; (f) promotes biodiversity knowledge networks and communities of practice; and (g) establishes and maintains partnerships with relevant global KM initiatives and networks.
B) Plans and coordinates further development and the implementation of the clearing-house mechanism (CHM) and the Web strategy for the Convention and its Protocols: (a) prepares strategies and work plans for implementation of the CHM work programme; (b) oversees further development and promotion of the central CHM platform as a premier knowledge hub for biodiversity; (c) organizes and services meetings of the CHM Informal Advisory Committee and/or similar bodies; (d) oversees and guides the development and maintenance of the CBD website, clearing-houses, portals and other web-based platforms managed by the Secretariat and ensures they are implemented in an integrated, coherent and coordinated manner; (e) establishes and ensures consistent application of policies, procedures and standards governing the Secretariat’s web content management; (f) facilitates the streamlining and integration of the information architecture for the central CHM, the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) and the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing House (ABSCH); (g) oversees the development and maintenance of consistent content management strategies and structures (common formats, metadata, taxonomies, content models and workflow processes) across the web platforms managed by the Secretariat; and (f) establishes tools and standards, including specifications of the application programming interface (API), to promote interoperability with national CHM s and information systems of partner organizations.
C) Manages, guides and supports staff responsible for the KM and clearing-house functions of the Secretariat: (a) oversees and supervises the work of the Secretariat’s KM and information technology (IT) teams; (b) guides and collaborates with other relevant staff, including the BCH and ABSCH Programme Officers, and service providers supporting the KM and clearing-house functions; (c) advises senior management on the choice of KM solutions and applications, including advice on the cost and technical implications of various alternatives and other related issues; (d) coordinates the development of tools, standard operating procedures and guidelines to facilitate internal information and knowledge management within the Secretariat, in line with the UN requirements and standards, including for archival purposes; (e) ensures compatibility with the UN requirements and facilitates accessibility of information for internal and external use; (f) Develops work plans for the KM and CHM programme in line with the Secretariat’s results based management framework and budget; and (g) develops the capacity of the Secretariat staff through training, guidance and advice on KM best practices, standards, policies and procedures.
D) Supports Parties to effectively use the central CHM and to establish, maintain and further develop their national CHMs to share information and knowledge and promote technical and scientific cooperation: (a) provides expert advice and support to Parties and relevant organizations, as appropriate, on the development and maintenance of national CHMs and KM systems; (b) designs and implements capacity-building activities including training workshops and development of learning and guidance materials; (c) coordinates the development and dissemination of support tools, such as the Bioland tool, to enable Parties to establish or improve their national CHMs (d) promotes complementarity and integration between the KM, CHM and technical and scientific cooperation programmes of work.
E) Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with relevant organizations and KM initiatives, such as InforMEA, the Data and Reporting Tool, and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility: (a) promotes joint KM initiatives and programmes with partners; (b) promotes exchange of experiences, expertise and tools with Partners on information and knowledge management in support of the Convention and its Protocols.
F) Monitors the implementation of decisions and recommendations of Parties related to KM, the CHM and the web strategy and prepare progress reports and other documents for consideration by the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, as appropriate.
G) Performs other related duties as assigned.
PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates good understanding of information systems design and development. Knowledge of international IT policies, standards and practices. Demonstrates ability to oversee the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex information system. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits inputs 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 decisions, even when such decisions many not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Advanced University degree (master’s or equivalent) in knowledge management, information science, library studies, information systems management, business administration or related field is required. Certification in Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM), Project Management Professional (PMP) or Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is desirable.
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing knowledge management strategies and initiatives and information management systems is required.
Five (5) years, of the seven (7) years, experience at the regional or international level is required.
Practical experience in undertaking knowledge audits and identifying information needs of users is desirable.
Experience in coordinating the design, implementation and maintenance of complex knowledge management initiatives and information management systems is desirable.
Experience in developing knowledge architecture and enterprise information governance systems and content management structures for large international organizations is desirable.
Experience in the establishment of organizational knowledge networks and online knowledge-sharing systems are desirable.
Experience in managing multicultural teams and creating a work environment that promotes gender equality is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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. 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 "Need Help?" link.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, 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.
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
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.
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.
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.
