General
Description of assignment title: Programme Support Officer, Environment and Resilience
Assignment country: Kenya
Expected start date: 01/12/2022
Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities and communities
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNDP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Nairobi
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress
The primary and overarching objective of United Nations Development Programme in Kenya is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promotion of United Nations fundamental principles. A core dimension to the work of UNDP in Kenya is on Democratic Governance given the national focus on governance reforms. UNDP supports the country’s efforts towards achieving the Vision 2030 Political Pillar, which envisions a democratic system that is issue-based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public. This Political Pillar gears to transform the country’s political governance across five strategic areas; The Rule of Law, Electoral and Political Processes, Democracy and Public Service Delivery, Transparency and Accountability, Security Peace Building and Conflict Management. These strategic areas are anchored in the Constitution, promulgated in August 2010 marking a major milestone in the democratic journey of Kenya and set a new threshold in terms of people-centred development.
Context
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help build a better life. In Kenya since 1966, UNDP aims to address poverty, inequality and exclusion in an integrated and support communities and government achieve sustainable Development. The Environment and Resilience Unit is supporting the Government of Kenya to achieve its development priorities with focus on four key thematic areas of resilience, climate change, natural resource management and energy. The unit supports these efforts through development of legal, policy and institutional frameworks that guide the country at national and county levels; knowledge and capacity development; and thought leadership in the key focus areas. The Programme Support Officer will help the unit to more efficiently deliver these services.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Environment Resilience Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
· Provide technical support to UNDP Country Office, National and County Governments in the development, planning and implementation of climate change, environment and resilience initiatives.
· Support the Environment and Resilience Unit (ERU) team through providing programme support to the implementation of the portfolio projects ensuring compliance with the organizations rules and regulations as detailed under POPP.
· Support the unit to ensure alignment of programming with UNSDCF, UNDP Country Pro-gramme Document, Strategic Plan and National priorities including the Ending Drought Emergencies Framework, Nation DRM Strategy, National Climate Change Action Plan and other relevant policies and frameworks.
· Provide support to the Implementing partners for capacity building on environment, resilience, climate change and disaster risk management working in close collaboration with other identified partners as necessary.
· Provide technical support to county governments on issues related to environmental governance, risk reduction and resilience.
· Provide administrative support to the ERU portfolio in through development of relevant briefs, research, organization of events, meetings and workshops etc.
· Support the project managers in coordination of implementation in the in close collaboration with the other responsible parties including NEMA, CoG, NDOC, NDMA and other implementing partners.
· Provide day to day support to implementing partners to ensure smooth implementation of activities including administrative and procurement aspects at UNDP.
· In close collaboration with NDMA at National and County levels ensure that procurement and other administrative issues at the county level are in line with UNDP rules and regulations.
· Support liaison between the ERU and other CO units including GIG, PSMU and Operations units.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
· Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
· Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
· Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
· Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
· Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of the Republic of Ireland and therefore specific criteria apply:
- Only the following are eligible to apply: Irish citizens or a European Economic Area nationals with an unrestricted right to reside in Ireland or have a declaration of refugee status from the Minister for Justice and Law Reform.
The start of the assignment is scheduled at earliest convenience.
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Donor priorities: –
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience, Energy, NRM, Development Studies
Area(s) of expertise: Energy and environment , Administration
Driving license: –
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Kiswahili, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
Policy, regulation, planning and capacity building
Competencies and values
Accountability, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).
Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.
The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.
Link to the Entitlement Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
