Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Established to address the critical environmental challenges facing the world, UN Environment works with various stakeholders to foster sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization operates globally, engaging with numerous countries and organizations to implement its mission effectively. It is recognized for its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and has a significant presence in various international forums and agreements.

Job Overview:
The Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a pivotal role within the UN Environment framework, responsible for overseeing the Secretariat's operations and ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention's objectives. This position requires a strategic leader who can navigate complex international negotiations and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and intergovernmental organizations. The Executive Secretary will lead the Secretariat in executing its mandates, managing resources, and driving initiatives that promote the conservation of migratory species. The role demands a deep understanding of environmental policies, sustainable development, and the ability to engage with high-level representatives from various countries to advocate for the Convention's goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise the implementation of the Convention and relevant Agreements and MOUs, ensuring that all mandates from the COPs and other governing bodies are met effectively.
• Organize and direct the substantive work of the Secretariat, conceptualizing and prioritizing tasks to prepare policy decisions that align with Convention objectives.
• Oversee the preparation of meetings for the COP, StC, ScC, and other relevant bodies, ensuring that all logistical and substantive aspects are addressed.
• Strengthen cooperation with other multilateral environmental agreements and represent the CMS Secretariat at various international forums.
• Manage the Secretariat's human and financial resources, mentoring staff and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Liaise with non-Parties to encourage their participation in the Convention and organize high-level meetings to promote membership.
• Formulate policies for the management of the CMS Secretariat, delegating responsibilities to senior managers while retaining accountability.
• Lead efforts to collect and analyze data, providing insights for data-driven decision-making and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a proven analytical capacity and in-depth knowledge of environmental and sustainable development issues. Strong research skills and the ability to coordinate the production of technical reports are essential. The ideal candidate should demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making processes. A commitment to achieving results, meeting deadlines, and maintaining professionalism in challenging situations is crucial. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required, along with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences. Leadership qualities that inspire and empower others are also necessary, as well as the ability to manage performance effectively and foster a culture of accountability and development within the team.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate) in Law (public international law and/or international law), political sciences, natural/environmental sciences, economics, public administration, environmental management, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level degree (Bachelor's) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable, indicating a strong foundation in analytical skills relevant to the role.

Experience:
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of environment and sustainable development is required. Candidates should have experience in strategy setting and implementation, international negotiations, and program/project planning and analysis. Profound management experience, particularly in human resources and financial management within a multicultural organization, is desirable. Experience in senior office assignments within the United Nations Common System or other international organizations is also preferred, along with a background in wildlife conservation and management, and familiarity with Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable, and working knowledge of other UN official languages is a plus. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while knowledge is defined as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension, contingent upon the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. The selected candidate will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited in accordance with administrative instructions. Staff members are expected to fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible for this vacancy. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are urged to apply online as soon as possible.