Senior Programme Management Officer

Organizational context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. Its Industry and Economy Division supports decision-makers in government, industry, and finance to adopt sustainable consumption and production policies. This role is within the Materials and Systems Innovation Unit in Paris, focusing on sustainable materials management and circular economy.

Job purpose: This role supports UNEP's mission by advancing sustainable materials management, circular economy, and life cycle thinking. The incumbent will contribute to developing and implementing policies and practices that promote efficient resource use and address environmental challenges like climate change and pollution. Key functions include preparing scientific studies, providing methodological advice on life cycle approaches, strengthening the science-policy interface, and supporting global partnerships. The role also involves managing knowledge, overseeing budget and funding, leading teams, and ensuring gender mainstreaming in initiatives, ultimately aiming to inform policy and business discourse for a sustainable future.

Responsibilities:
The Senior Programme Management Officer will support the preparation and review of scientific studies and knowledge products for the International Resource Panel. They will provide methodological advice on life cycle approaches and ensure research integrates stakeholder priorities. The role involves strengthening the science-policy interface on resource management and informing policy discourse through UNEP networks and partnerships. Responsibilities include providing secretariat support to various science bodies and initiatives, enhancing knowledge management on circular economy, and ensuring gender mainstreaming. Additionally, the incumbent will oversee budget and funding activities, manage and develop staff, lead data analysis for planning and reporting, and perform other required duties.

Education:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in natural resources science, management, or environmental science is required. A first-level university degree with qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is desirable.

Work

experience:
A minimum of ten years of experience in providing science-based policy advice on sustainable consumption and production and circular economy, using life cycle approaches, is required, with at least five years in an international capacity. Experience in mobilizing resources for projects over USD 5 million and managing international teams of five or more is also required. Experience in data analytics or managing large scientific datasets and a publication record in relevant peer-reviewed journals are desirable.

Skills:
Professionalism, client orientation, commitment to continuous learning, vision, and building trust. Specific competencies include knowledge of sustainable materials management, circular economy, life cycle approaches, strategic planning, data analysis, negotiation, and leadership. Ability to incorporate gender perspectives and promote gender balance is also essential.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French