SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) Coordinator reports to the Head of UNEP’s Regional Seas Branch. The focus of this position is to lead the COBSEA Secretariat, an intergovernmental mechanism bringing together 9 participating countries in protecting and conserving the marine environment in the East Asias Seas since 1981, as well as direct implementation, monitoring and evaluation of COBSEA programmes, operations, policy development and other activities Towards the effective implementation of COBSEA’s Strategic Directions 2023-2027. This position is located in the Regional Seas Branch, Ecosystems Division in the Bangkok duty station. Under the supervision of the Head, Regional Seas Branch the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of COBSEA programmes and projects. Oversees programme/project planning, monitoring and assessment; supervises staff; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, issues and challenges; proposes corrective actions; coordinates with relevant counterparts; and ensures appropriate follow-up actions.• Ensures the application of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing how planned actions—including legislation, policies or programmes—affect women and men at all levels.• Directs research and programme evaluations and synthesizes information from diverse sources.• Coordinates COBSEA policy development, including reviewing assessments of issues and trends and guiding the preparation of evaluations, research activities and studies.• Leads survey and data-collection initiatives, designs data collection tools, analyses and interprets responses, identifies key issues and formulates conclusions.• Supervises the preparation of written outputs, such as background papers, analytical documents, report sections, studies and contributions to publications.• Provides substantive support to COBSEA intergovernmental, consultative and other meetings and conferences, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing documents and presentations.• Manages outreach activities by designing and delivering training workshops, seminars and presentations.• Leads field missions, providing guidance to external consultants, government officials and other stakeholders, and prepares mission summaries and related outputs.• Coordinates activities related to COBSEA’s budget and funding, including programme/project proposals, submissions, progress reports and financial statements, and ensures preparation of related documents (e.g., pledging materials, work programme, programme budget).• Serves as a spokesperson and builds partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization.• Ensures effective staff management, including supervision, guidance, performance evaluation and mentoring.• Leads data-related work, guiding team members in data collection and analysis, identifying trends for evidence-based planning and decision-making, and ensuring that data is accessible, shared and integrated across the team.• Performs other duties as required.QualificationsAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field.A first-level degree with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.Completion of degree or non-degree programmes in data analytics, business analytics or data science is an advantage.At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental or natural resources management, multidisciplinary programme implementation at national and international levels, administration or related fields.At least 5 years of experience managing intergovernmental processes is required.Minimum 3 years of fund-raising experience is required.At least 5 years of experience managing large programmes or projects related to the marine environment is desirable.Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat; English is required for this position.11/12