Environmental Sustainability Consultant

United Nations Development Programme; New York; Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Women seeks a consultant to integrate operational components into their Environmental Sustainability Policy. The role involves drafting policies, conducting analyses, and ensuring alignment with UN standards. This home-based consultancy requires expertise in gender equality and environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in environmental sustainability.
• Experience with UN or development agencies is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Draft environmental sustainability policy for UN Women Operations.
• Conduct analysis of current environmental policies and frameworks.

Skills

Communication

Research

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Master's degree in Environmental Sustainability

First-level university degree

Job description

Description

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security.

UN Women has made substantial progress in establishing the policy guide on environmental initiatives in the programme area. Now, we need the policy guide on environmental initiatives in the operational area to be incorporated into the existing framework.

The UN Women Environmental Sustainability Policy and the Social and Environmental Standards Procedure were promulgated in December 2023. The purpose of this consultancy is to work on incorporating the operational (administrative, procurement, IST, facilities, and finance) components into the policy.

The consultant will report to the Administrative and Facilities Specialist, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities/Scope of Work

The overall objective of the consultancy is to bridge UN Women’s operational environmental guidance, internal policies, and procedures into UN Women’s corporate environmental sustainability policy framework.

Deliverables

• The consultant will conduct a thorough analysis/desk review of UN Women’s current environmental policies, frameworks, and guidelines, as well as those of other UN agencies, including UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and the work of the Environmental Sustainability working group Sustainable UN on environmental management systems. The operational framework will serve UN Women internally and guide the work of UN Women partners.
• The consultant will draft the environmental sustainability policy for UN Women Operations, including a gender lens across the framework, submit it for feedback, and finalize it, ensuring alignment with UN system-wide efforts to promote environmental sustainability.

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Administrative and Facilities Specialist, Division of Management and Administration, in close coordination with relevant colleagues from administration, travel and conference services, procurement, management, facilities, IST, and field offices.

This project is to be completed within 32 days. The deliverable schedule will be agreed upon with the Administrative and Facilities Specialist.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

For more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework, please visit this link.

Functional Competencies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Good understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues;
• Good understanding of, and experience in, environmental sustainability and policy development;
• Strong background in strategic coordination;
• Proven ability to conduct research;
• Knowledge of Environmental management systems according to ISO standards;
• Knowledge of project management;
• Knowledge of the United Nations.

Communications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Proven ability to work under pressure and produce accurate, timely, high-quality outputs;
• Ability to establish priorities and plan, coordinate, and monitor work;
• Ability to conduct research, synthesize information, and undertake gender analysis.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Sustainability or related discipline is required.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, including working on corporate policies and frameworks on environmental sustainability and development programs.
• Experience in research, including interviews and desk reviews.
• Work experience with UN, UN Women, or other development agencies is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English;
• Knowledge of any other UN official language is an asset.

Statements

UN Women was created by the UN General Assembly in July 2010, merging and building on the work of four entities focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and Inclusion

UN Women is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or other legally protected basis. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, and organizational need.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation, harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All candidates will undergo background and reference checks, including verification of credentials and employment history.

Note: Applicants must complete all sections of the application form; incomplete applications may be disqualified.