Senior EU Climate and Environment Law Advisor Roster - IICA-3 (Home-based Retainer), Multiple positions

Background Information - Job-specific

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure
• Procurement
• Project Management (full service, back on track)
• HR and Transactional Services
• Grants Management
• Technical and Advisory Services
• Project Information

Background Information - Project Specific:

Under the framework of the multi-year project titled "Knowledge for Reform Action in the Western Balkans" UNOPS provides support in the six countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) with access to tailored expertise, knowledge and best practice to assist them with advancing their respective reform agenda. Learning and exchanges will be promoted across the Region, as well as from neighboring countries which have joined the EU.

The project will result in strengthened institutional, administrative and legislative frameworks and practices. To this end, UNOPS will create a pool of capacity building national, regional and international experts (individuals, thinks tanks, consortiums, consultancy companies and similar) to be deployed to support governments with regards to the approximation, application and enforcement of EU legislation as well as to facilitate the sharing of EU best practices.

Selection of experts will be made (when needed) from the Roster, based on selection criteria such as professional expertise and experience, language skills, geographical and gender balance, regular rotation, and absence of conflict of interest.

The incumbent will be engaged as a retainer and asked to perform specific tasks linked to supporting delivery of the project's capacity development work in the region in advance when the requirements arise.

Please include a Cover letter indicating your areas of specialization relevant to EU Integration with a focus on climate and/or environmental law.

Duty station:

Please be aware that this is a home-based position, with the duty station being your city of permanent residence. Regular travel may be required.

[1]* All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and in close cooperation with beneficiaries, the Senior EU Climate and Environment Law Advisor will provide technical expertise to specific line Ministries and relevant public authorities. The experts should have a high level of expertise and professional experience in one of the fields of the EU action and policy focusing on EU climate and environmental law, as relevant to the support in stabilization processes and EU integration of the Western Balkans countries including capacity building expertise in the areas of assistance with harmonization, approximation and standardization throughout the EU accession process.

Selected experts will work on:

Cluster 4, in specific Chapter 27 (environment and climate change) and other related Chapters, such as Chapter 21 (Trans-European Networks) and beyond, of the EU acquis communautaire (mandatory specialization)

The selected candidates will perform functions such as the following, with a focus on EU climate and environmental law:

• Provide technical expertise and advice on EU accession related activities to the beneficiaries under Cluster 4, chapter 27 and beyond, in line with respective needs assessment. Tasks include:

Chapter-specific support:

• Perform the mapping of existing policies and legislation / gap analyses
• Draft legal texts, guidelines, tables of concordance and policy papers
• Law/by-law development / transposition of EU directives

Horizontal support:

• Draft work plans
• Provide process advice, in line with the revised methodology for the accession negotiations
• Provide guidance and support throughout the (screening) process
• Advise beneficiaries in development of roadmaps / terms of reference

Other Tasks and Responsibilities may include:

• Draft summaries and expert mission reports
• Provide legal/technical expertise in program development for events e.g. trainings and workshops
• Draft concept notes, design and develop (inhouse) trainings and similar in relation to the reforms that beneficiaries are undertaking with the view to the respective EU integration process.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University Degree either in Law, EU-related studies, Development Studies, Economics or Engineering with a focus on Environmental Science and Climate Change or other relevant discipline is required.
• University Degree (Bachelor's degree / first level) with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Required

• 7 years of experience in working for/with the EU institutions or EU Member States' entities and/or working for/with the beneficiary countries on EU related elements is required.
• Specialization in climate and/or environmental law is required.

Asset

• Participation in the accession process of an EU candidate country will be an asset.
• EU accession experience of/in neighboring EU member states is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Western Balkans region will be an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required.
• Knowledge of locally spoken languages including lingua franca is an advantage.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: I-ICA 3

Contract duration: Retainer contract, up to 12 months (max. 220 working days), subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.