General
Description of assignment title: Urban and Community Engagement Specialist
Assignment country: Kenya
Expected start date: 02/10/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNEP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Nairobi
Details
Mission and objectives
Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the 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 mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.
Context
The UN 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. At its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, 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.
Within the Ecosystems Division, the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit (FEU) supports and advocates for improved water resources management and the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems worldwide. It works with other substantial units, including related types of ecosystems, ecosystem restoration, climate change, and urban issues.
FEU provides Member States and other stakeholders with accurate information on the current state of their freshwater ecosystems and develops and implements tools and programs that support the monitoring, management, protection, and restoration of freshwater ecosystems in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also coordinates UNEP-wide freshwater strategies towards the implementation of UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy 2022 – 2025. The FEU also acts in a coordinating role to provide strategic support and guidance to UNEP on freshwater issues as a whole in its external communications and liaises with other UN agencies working on water through the UN-Water coordination mechanism.
FEU is collaborating with UNEP’s units on Cities and the Decade for Ecosystem Restoration on a new project, Generational Restoration, running from 2023 – 2025 with funding from Germany’s Ministry of Economic Development, BMZ. The project will promote the uptake of nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration in urban areas. FEU is also developing new projects that involve community engagement for watershed restoration around the world.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, Freshwater Ecosystems Unit, the UNV Cities and Community Engagement Specialist will sit within the FEU and be:
· As a member of the cross-UNEP Generation Restoration team, supporting the implementation of the Generation Restoration project and work plan, including the organization of events, webinars, seminars, or sessions for pilot and twinning cities in the project.
· Supporting the drafting, dissemination, and delivery of presentations, ecosystem briefs, reports, and other background material as needed for the Generation Restoration project.
· Supporting the drafting of other funding proposals and project proposals related to ecosystem protection and restoration, nature-based solutions, and community engagement as needed.
· Drafting content for, supporting, and organizing other virtual or in-person water events, webinars, seminars, or sessions.
· Providing support to the initiation and implementation of other ongoing or upcoming freshwater-related projects including the IKI Congo Peatlands project, the UNEP-Rotary partnership for local action “Adopt-a-River for sustainable development,” and a new project involving community development for watersheds as part of a new project with the European Commission.
· Supporting the drafting of and ensuring relevant freshwater contributions to water-related publications and materials for UNEP, including flagship publications, spotlight publications, and expert articles among others.
· Supporting the Freshwater Unit in upcoming conferences and external engagements such as, but not limited to, the UNEA 6 and the World Water Forum
· Supporting the coordination and coherence around freshwater-related topics, including engaging in work streams across other units, branches, and Divisions of UNEP.
· Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in support of environmental, urban, water, or other relevant programmes;
demonstrated experience in and interest in urban, community, or water-related topics, in particular using environmental, ecosystem-based, or nature-based solutions approaches, is desired, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
Proven background or work experience in community engagement and/or urban issues.
Excellent proven written and oral communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting, and analytical skills (fluency) in English;
·Desired: Experience in project or programme management, or monitoring and evaluation;
·Desired: Good working knowledge of (confidence in) an additional language in addition to English;
·Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
·Ability to adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
·Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Teams, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
· Self-motivated and independent, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
· Have affinity with or interest in water and environmental topics, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN System.
Area(s) of expertise: Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences, Development programmes
Driving license:
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in environment, community engagement, urban issues, water resources management, environmental management, climate change, biodiversity, natural resources management or other relevant area; professional work experience at the national and/or international level is required.
Competencies and values
Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNEP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP [procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
· Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority;
· Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
· Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
· Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
· Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
· Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
· Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards [Insert name of Host Agency]’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation in the East of Africa, neighbouring 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 average annual rate of 3%. 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 other smaller cities in the country. 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 are modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location are highland cool and warm tropical climate.
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
