Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, it serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The organization is committed to providing timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental assessments, data, analytics, intelligence, and information for policy-setting, decision-making, and action planning for sustainable development. UN Environment operates globally, with a focus on monitoring and reporting on the state of the global environment, assessing policies and trends, and supporting early warning services on environmental variables and emerging threats. The organization plays a crucial role in spearheading UN-wide monitoring and reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science is a senior leadership position within the United Nations Environment Programme, responsible for providing strategic coordination of scientific advice that informs the organization's decisions, policies, interventions, and publications. The incumbent will oversee the substantive work programme of the Office, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely delivery of outputs and results. This role requires collaboration with various divisions and offices within UN Environment, ensuring that programmed activities are executed efficiently and in alignment with the UNEP Delivery Model. The Chief Scientist will also coordinate the preparation of reports for presentation to donors and intergovernmental bodies, manage and develop staff, and represent the organization at international meetings and conferences. The position demands a strong focus on scientific credibility, data quality, and the ability to lead foresight and analysis initiatives to address emerging scientific issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Office, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs/results and their timely delivery.
• Oversee activities undertaken by the Office as a contribution to the UNEP Programme of Work and Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), including budget preparation, execution, and monitoring.
• Ensure timely execution of programmed activities and coordinate work across different areas within the Office and other UN Environment divisions.
• Prepare reports for presentation to donors, UNEP Environment Assembly, and other scientific intergovernmental forums.
• Manage, guide, develop, and train staff, fostering teamwork and communication.
• Chair meetings and represent the organization at international, regional, and inter-agency meetings.
• Report to UNEP Senior Management Team on budget/programme performance and programmatic issues.
• Collaborate with Regional Offices to mobilize resources for project funding.
• Ensure effective engagement with all UNEP Offices to support co-design projects with regional and national components. 1
• Serve as a primary advisor on scientific priorities, ensuring credibility and quality of data and products. 1
• Lead on foresight, analysis, and intelligence initiatives, delivering updates and research papers on emerging scientific issues. 1
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree, PhD or equivalent) in earth sciences, environmental sciences, biology, social sciences, environmental management, engineering, or related areas.
• Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.
• PhD in earth or environmental science or related field is preferred.
• Proven knowledge of the environment and development field, particularly in analyzing the global environment and providing environmental data.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree, PhD or equivalent) in relevant fields such as earth sciences, environmental sciences, biology, social sciences, environmental management, or engineering. Additionally, completion of programs in data analytics or related areas is desirable, with a PhD being particularly advantageous for this role.

Experience:
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in applied sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, environmental engineering, or related fields is required. Candidates should have experience in program and organizational management at a senior level, including human resources and budget management within government, intergovernmental entities, or the United Nations. Experience in environmental policy analysis and providing technical assistance to policymakers is essential, along with a strong background in the environmental science-policy interface. A publication record of peer-reviewed scientific articles is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language, such as French, is desirable. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while knowledge is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of 364 days and may be subject to extension. The United Nations encourages applications from candidates of under-represented Member States. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must ensure that their profiles are complete and up to date, as this information is crucial for the hiring manager's assessment. Staff members are expected to adhere to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions in accordance with established rules. An impeccable record of integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.