Org. Setting and Reporting

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. This position is located in UNEP’s Office of Science which is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing scientific advice and evidence, data analytics, statistics and intelligence to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. The Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), is located in Vienna, Austria. UNSCEAR is a Committee of the General Assembly, composed of 31 Member States, that keeps under review the sources of exposure to ionizing radiation, evaluates world-wide exposures and assesses the effects that such exposures may involve. The position entails providing direct scientific, technical and administrative assistance required by the Committee to accomplish its work. Under the overall supervision of the Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

SCIENTIFIC: (1) Carry out radiation assessments in accordance with the instructions received from the Committee and in view of world-wide concerns of radiation hazards, such as fallout from nuclear weapons tests, assessments of nuclear accidents (e.g., those at Chernobyl and Fukushima), trends in exposure in medicine, and effects and risks to health from radiation exposures (e.g., to radon). (2) Co-ordinate the preparation of the annual UNSCEAR Reports submitted to the General Assembly and prepare scientifically robust technical documents which serve as basis for the substantive scientific annexes of the UNSCEAR Reports to the General Assembly on special aspects of levels and effects of radiation exposure to assess the attendant effects and risks for health and the environment. In consultation with the Committee’s Bureau:

• Select and engage expert scientists.
• Supervise and co-ordinate their work in preparing background and technical documents for review by the Committee.
• Substantiate the technical standards for conducting UNSCEAR evaluations, and the scientific consistency and validity of documents written at the request of the Committee by the Secretary, secretariat staff, consultants or experts to ensure high scientific quality of work.
• Take decisions to ensure adherence to requests of the General Assembly.
• Make recommendations to the Committee on scientific matters by submitting documents to the annual meetings of the Committee.
• Maintain competency and knowledge in fields of specific interest to the Committee.
• Establish and support expert groups to review the scientific literature, and liaise with representatives, experts, consultants about new developments. (3) Maintain and establish contacts with other scientific organizations on a world – wide basis to foster adoption of common approaches in the field of radiation assessments. (4) Attend scientific meetings related to the responsibilities of the Committee; give presentations of the Committee’s evaluations and publications. TECHNICAL:
• Organize annually one-or two-week sessions of the Committee; establish agenda, time-table and maintain procedures for the Committee to carry-out its work.
• Brief the Chair and officers of the Committee on procedural matters; assist them in conduct of sessions.
• Arrange with Conference Services the general and detailed plans and support services for the sessions.
• Supervise the work of consultants and experts during the sessions to record technical decisions and plan implementation of Committee’s requests.
• Supervise the production of in-session documentation in accordance with established formats.
• Make recommendations on policy matters and discuss them on procedural matters with the Chair of the Committee.
• Prepare draft reports on work accomplished by and activities of the Committee to be submitted every year to the General Assembly. ADMINISTRATIVE:
• Prepare budget in accordance with needs of Secretariat end of Committee.
• Authorize and control the necessary expenditures to accomplish Secretariat work and responsibilities.
• Establish schedule and control deadlines for preparation and submission of documents for production, translation and circulation.
• Plan and manage Secretariat work and supervise staff.
• Make requests and recommendations on personnel matters for the Secretariat.
• Represent UNSCEAR and UNEP at meetings in Vienna and elsewhere, as required for technical or Programme matters.
• Engage with members of the diplomatic community and governments regarding Programme of work and financial support for the UNSCEAR General Trust Fund.
• Lead team members in the scientific assessment of radiation exposure and effects.
• . Leads team members’ efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate, and share the data they need. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of radiation science, including radiation exposure, radiation effects and global, regional and national assessments. Ability to identify key radiation-related issues, analyze them and contribute effectively to their resolution. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Demonstrated capacity to provide innovative scientific and technical leadership by planning, developing and managing complex-related programme of work and evaluations. Strong ability to review, interpret and evaluate highly technical radiation science documents for accuracy and scientific soundness, thereby upholding the rigorous scientific reputation of the UNSCEAR Committee and UNEP. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment…