Vacancy in the secretariat of the UNECE Water Convention

This is a vacancy for an L-3 post in the UNECE secretariat of the Water Convention related to the preparations of the second Assessment of transboundary waters in the UNECE region.

Deadline for application, 29 May 2009.

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Pollution Prevention Team, and under the direct supervision of the secretary of the Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), the incumbent will be responsible for the preparation of the second assessment of transboundary rivers, lakes and groundwaters. The incumbent will in particular: (a) Plan and overview the whole preparation of the second assessment, including coordination and supervision of the implementation of decisions taken, contacts with the lead country, the members of the steering group and other partners; (b) Organize, in cooperation with national and international partners, sub-regional workshops for gathering and validation of information on transboundary waters including both substantial and logistic arrangements; (c) Prepare background documentation and draw up draft assessments of transboundary river basins, aquifers and sub-regional summaries, for consideration by the Convention's Meeting of the Parties, Working Groups and sub-regional workshops, by liaising with national experts and representatives of joint bodies; (d) Plan and supervise the publication of the second assessment, including its editing, formatting and layout, the production of maps and other graphics, and its printing and translation; (e) Identify and coordinate interaction between activities related to the assessment preparations with programmes of the ECE secretariat, UN organizations, UN Water, other relevant international governmental and non-governmental organizations, and private sector organizations; exchange information with these organizations; (f) Update the Convention's website, draft publications, press releases, public relations bulletins and other media work to increase awareness and publicize the second assessment; (g) In collaboration with the supervisors, prepare budget proposals and resources requirement, arrange for appropriate use of funds, actively participate in fund raising activities, report on the use of the funds; (h) Assist the rest of the Convention's secretariat in tasks related to the implementation of the programme of work of the Convention; (h) Represent the ECE secretariat at international meetings and be willing to travel as required in the UNECE region.