Associate Environmental Affairs Officer

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Position Title: Associate Environmental Affairs Officer
Location: Incheon
Country: South Korea
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat, established to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP supports its member states through policy-oriented research, normative support, technical assistance, and capacity building to address development priorities and changing needs. The ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia (SOENEA) collaborates with countries including China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea, as well as with Hong Kong and Macao, China, and the Russian Federation on technical cooperation matters. SOENEA also serves as the Secretariat for the North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC).

Job Overview:
The Associate Environmental Affairs Officer position is located within the SOENEA and reports directly to the Deputy Head of Office. The incumbent is expected to work closely with key national counterparts in member states to develop, implement, and evaluate programs and projects that address subregional environmental challenges, particularly through NEASPEC. This role involves monitoring and analyzing various aspects of program/project development and implementation, reviewing relevant documents, identifying issues, and recommending corrective actions. The officer will also conduct analytical research on national policies and programs related to subregional environmental cooperation, providing substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation. The position requires participation in evaluations, consulting assignments, and outreach activities, as well as the preparation of written outputs such as background papers and reports. The incumbent will also coordinate activities related to budget funding and provide administrative support for meetings and conferences.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Environmental Affairs Officer include:

• Collaborating with national counterparts for the development and evaluation of programs/projects addressing environmental challenges.
• Monitoring and analyzing program/project development and implementation, reviewing documents, and recommending corrective actions.
• Conducting analytical research on national policies related to environmental cooperation.
• Providing support for policy coordination and evaluation, including reviewing emerging issues in environmental affairs.
• Assisting in consulting assignments by planning workshops and developing action plans.
• Participating in survey initiatives and assisting with data collection and analysis.
• Preparing various written outputs, including reports and publications.
• Providing administrative support for meetings and conferences, including logistics and document preparation.
• Undertaking outreach activities and participating in training workshops. 1
• Participating in field missions for data collection and support. 1
• Coordinating budget-related activities and preparing related documents. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a strong knowledge of sustainable development policies and transboundary environmental issues. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, and make recommendations. Professionalism, efficiency in meeting commitments, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team are essential. The candidate should also possess strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to develop clear goals and adjust priorities as necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environment-related studies, including natural science, natural resource management, environmental policy, or environmental economics. A relevant first-level university degree in these fields, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policies, environmental management, or a related area is required. Experience in sustainable development at the national or international level is essential. Desirable experience includes working within the United Nations Common System or International Organizations, project management related to NEASPEC, and familiarity with UN 2.0 areas such as Strategic Foresight and Digitalization.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN official language, particularly Chinese or Russian, is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position available for four months. If selected, an internal candidate will be on temporary assignment, while an external candidate will be offered a temporary appointment. Extensions are subject to satisfactory performance and availability of the post. The position encourages diversity and gender equality, with women candidates strongly encouraged to apply. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.