Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

Vacancy announcement

1. The Secretariat hereby transmits to the Parties the vacancy announcement for the post of Information Network Officer in the CITES Secretariat.

2. The Management Authorities of the Parties are urged to provide copies of the attached document to potential candidates for this important post.

 

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Information Network Officer, P-3

CITES Secretariat

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 22 July 2003

DATE OF ISSUANCE: 23 May 2003

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: United Nations Environment Programme

DUTY STATION: Geneva

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 03-IST-UNEP-800266-R-GENEVA

Remuneration: Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered (see the CITES website for more information, English only).

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Information Network Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Develop an overall strategy on the use of the website as a major means of communication with the Parties and others, providing specific plans for the further development of the website through enriching its content and improving the use of developing technology; review the implementation of this strategy on regular basis and amend it as necessary; Update the website with routine information such as Notifications to the Parties, documents of meetings, export quotas, news items, CITES Directory, CITES Registers, etc; Take the lead in the Website Development Group of the Secretariat to coordinate and undertake the further development of the website in accordance with the plan of the Secretariat; In close coordination with UNEP-WCMC and the Secretariat of CBD, ensure the proper performance of the CITES-listed species database and the availability of intra-site search function; seek other site search and hit report options when necessary; Coordinate the planning and establishment of the on-line CITES Species Identification Manual database, and maintain it once it is created; Produce on a regular basis a CD-ROM version of the website for Parties and other users; Work closely with the server/network manager to make sure the Web server functions properly with regular backups and is supported with anti-virus and user statistics programmes; create backups of the website files and maintain the Web server in case of emergency; Create and maintain a central system for CITES information that compiles the existing CITES information including information from the Parties; Once the central information system is created, facilitate its use as a basis for creating CITES information brochures, CITES toolkits and other capacity building resources; Assist all Units of the CITES Secretariat and the CITES Parties by converting data and technical information into a form easy to understand for all consumers, including the general public and the media; Identify the most common enquiries and maintain an electronic source for the most frequently requested information; Maintain the CITES listserver once it is set up, and provide the CITES community with all relevant information through the listserver; Work with the Documentation Officer in arranging for various publications of the Secretariat to be provided to the Parties; To serve as a focal point for one of CITES sub-regions; Establish contacts with and provide direct assistance to the Management Authorities in the sub-region, in particular regarding documentation or information relevant to CITES implementation; Identify, assess and advise on CITES problems relevant to the countries of the sub-region; Provide advice to facilitate the identification of needs of Parties, such as training, enforcement and legislation, species projects and, within the Secretariat, communicating and cooperating with the other relevant functional units to ensure provision of appropriate assistance; Participate in relevant fora to inform countries about CITES and its mission and attend regional CITES meetings, providing input into the organization of such meeting as necessary; Perform other related duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism – Good theoretical background in information technology/information management; excellent skills in website and graphics design. Planning and Organizing – Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignment. Technological Awareness – In-depth knowledge and experience of website and graphic design. Commitment to Continuous Learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field. Communication – Strong communication (spoken and written skills) including ability to prepare reports, making and defending recommendations. Teamwork – Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degree in biology or computer science.

Work Experience

Minimum of six years relevant working experience, of which three years should have been at international level. Substantial international or national experience with CITES is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential as is a good working knowledge of another of the official working languages of the Convention (French or Spanish).

Other Skills

Demonstrated computer and web skills.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, Article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

How to apply

There are two ways you can apply to vacancies available at the United Nations Human Resources Site.

1. Online – If you consider applying for the United Nations online now or in the future you have to register with the United Nations Human Resources.

2. Offline – fax or mail paper application.

Online

1. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as early as possible after the vacancy has been posted, and well before the deadline. All online applications will be acknowledged immediately, if an email address is provided.

2. To start the online application process, applicants will be required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.

3. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be modified as necessary for future applications.

4. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.

5. For UN staff members, after submission of an application, they will receive an email reminding them to provide copies of their last two Performance Appraisal System evaluations to the appropriate office. These copies may be submitted by email, fax or regular mail with a clear indication of the vacancy announcement number.

6. Once an application has been submitted, it will be transmitted to the appropriate office for review.

Offline

1. If applicants cannot submit an application online, they may send paper applications to the address, email or fax number indicated below before the deadline.

PO UNON
Room No.: Recruitment & Classification Section Human Resources Management Services
P.O. Box 67578
Nairobi, Kenya

E-mail: recruitment@unon.org

Applications must be submitted using the United Nations Personal History form (P-11) (in Word format).

The applications should indicate the vacancy announcement number on the application and on the envelope, email or fax.

2. Applicants may wish to retain copies of their completed P-11 form for use for future applications.

3. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of offline paper applications cannot be acknowledged individually.

4. UN staff members must attach copies of their last two Performance Appraisal System evaluations to their applications.