General
Description of assignment title
Program Assistant
Assignment country
Kenya
Expected start date
21/10/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNEP
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months
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 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designat-ed entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Junior Professional Officer, Governing Bodies Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the preparations for and follow-up of inter-governmental meetings relating to the Governing Bodies of the UN Environment Programme and related activities, includ-ing: o Support the preparation, organization, and servicing of meetings of the govern-ing bodies of the UN Environment Programme, including the meetings of the subcommittee of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, the annual subcommittee of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, in collaboration with other team members in the Governing Bodies Unit and, as necessary, with UNON Conference Services. • Take notes, draft high-quality reports/minutes from intergovernmental meetings. • Draft preparatory meetings documentation, including briefing notes, chair’s scripts, Unit’s presentations, and meeting summaries. • Support effective follow up on key issues relating to intergovernmental meetings. • Provide draft diplomatic correspondence to member States, including by e-mail, letters and note verbales. • Plan and ensure timely dissemination of information about programmes and activities of UN Environment in support of member States. • Draft high quality information texts and documents of relevance to the Governing Bod-ies Unit. • Support internal and external communication with divisions of UN Environment Pro-gramme and member States respectively, including by utilising web-based tools and formats Support the provision of effective, efficient, and responsive conference ser-vices and support for the work of the Governing Bodies of UN Environment Pro-gramme. 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 par-ticipation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/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. Results/Expected Outputs • Conference servicing support provided to relevant UNEA governing bodies and follow-up processes • Drafts prepared on key communication and correspondence The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities partici-pated in and capacities developed
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in the areas of: • Conference service or management for international experts and high-level political meet-ings e.g. UNEA. Drafting of diplomatic correspondence and meeting reports. • Website maintenance and management and application of website tools. • Reporting, and meeting scheduling and coordination
Area(s) of expertise
Business management, Logistics and Inventory, Communication
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Relations, Environmental Sciences, Commerce
Competencies and values
Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Ethics and Values Integrity Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity 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.
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
