Deputy Director Programme

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is recognized as the leading global environmental authority. Established to set the global environmental agenda, UNEP promotes 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 Corporate Services Division (CSD) within UNEP is responsible for safeguarding UNEP's corporate interests, mitigating risks, and supporting the organization with management tools and capacity building. CSD oversees UNEP's efficient management in accordance with accountability requirements, rules, regulations, and UN core values. The position is based at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director Programme will work under the direct supervision of the CSD Director and will be responsible for advising and assisting the Director on various technical and functional issues across the operational spectrum. The role aims to enhance the impact and effectiveness of the Division and UNEP as a whole. The incumbent will oversee programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the Division's functioning, including strategic advisory matters related to budget preparation, financial management, resource management, and donor relations strategy. The Deputy Director will lead the provision of secretariat services to the Budget Steering Committee, ensuring alignment with UN Financial Regulations and Rules. This position also involves representing UNEP in inter-agency networks, managing staff, fostering teamwork, and ensuring high-quality outputs from the Division. The role requires planning, directing, and coordinating the preparation of reports for presentation to various intergovernmental bodies, engaging with stakeholders across the UN system, and leading data collection and analysis efforts to support decision-making and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Director Programme will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including advising the Director on operational issues, overseeing programmatic and administrative tasks, leading secretariat services for the Budget Steering Committee, reviewing UNEP's Financial Rules, representing UNEP in inter-agency networks, organizing meetings and seminars, managing and developing staff, fostering teamwork, supporting process simplification, ensuring high-quality outputs, planning and coordinating report preparations for intergovernmental bodies, engaging with stakeholders, and leading data analysis efforts. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with internal control frameworks and maintaining essential quality standards for all outputs produced by the Division.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, social sciences, or management. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional certification in management disciplines is desirable. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is also desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as business or public administration, finance, accounting, social sciences, or management is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, administration, budget management, and internal control functions is required. This experience must include leadership responsibilities, with at least ten years managing Implementing Partners and multi-stakeholder Trust Funds. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in leading organization-wide financial strategies and overseeing change management initiatives. Experience in supervising multidisciplinary professional teams in budget and financial management is essential, along with experience in IPSAS application and preparing intergovernmental budgetary processes.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French or Spanish is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in these languages.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position available until 31 December 2026, with a possibility of extension. The position may be limited to internal candidates and is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.