General
Description of assignment title
Environmental Affairs Officer
Assignment country
Kenya
Expected start date
16/12/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
International 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 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. The parties to the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol designated UNEP as the Secretariat for these two international agreements in 1989. The 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna Convention) and its 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol), referred to as the “ozone treaties” were adopted to protect human health and the environment from the threat of ozone depletion. The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol added 18 hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the list of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol. While HFCs do not destroy ozone, they are potent greenhouse gases. Collaboration with the scientific community, stemming from the Vienna Convention and Article 6 of the Montreal Protocol, based on which Assessment Panels were established, has ensured that parties to the ozone treaties work closely with scientists and experts. Parties consistently have at hand, scientifically sound, independent, authoritative and up-to-date information for dynamic policy making. This United Nations Volunteer’s (UNV) assignment is part of the Ozone Secretariat’s work related to scientific and technical aspects, primarily on the atmospheric science and monitoring related to ozone and climate as well as other issues dealt with by the Assessment Panels of the Montreal Protocol such as the effects of ozone and climate on human health and the environment, and alternatives to and sound management of controlled substances.
Task description
· Review of various technical and scientific reports and articles including, but not limited to, the reports of the three Assessment Panels of the Montreal Protocol on scientific, environmental effects and technology and economic aspects of ozone layer depletion and protection, as well as the reports of the relevant Technical Options Committees of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel on the main sectors of use of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol, with a view to preparing briefing notes on key issues of current importance to the work of the Secretariat, identifying problems and recommending follow-up actions, also vis-à-vis relevant decisions of the parties; · Substantive support on matters related to atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances (ozone-depleting substances and HFCs), as well as on co-operation with atmospheric monitoring networks and programmes. · Review of Assessment Panel-related work undertaken under relevant treaties, institutions and processes (e.g. the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Science Policy Panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention, the biodiversity-related treaties, the Global Environment Outlook (GEO), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste) and drafting of briefing notes to assist in the identification of common areas of work for cooperation and synergistic action. · Substantive and organizational support for, and participation when appropriate, in the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol meetings organized by the Secretariat including the meetings of the Assessment Panels and the Technical Options Committees of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, and assistance in the preparation and review of the meeting documents and in other substantive and organizational actions as necessary; · Assistance in drafting relevant correspondence to parties and partners on follow-up of the decisions of the parties, responding to general queries and clarifying issues, when necessary; · Contribution to the preparation of various written outputs such as presentations by the Secretariat staff in various meetings particularly on the issues of relevance to the work of the Assessment Panels, meeting documents, reports, briefing notes, analytical notes and publications, as well as to the content and design of the public awareness materials produced by the Secretariat as well as by partners such as OzonAction of UNEP; · Performance of other duties as required.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in ozone or climate-related issues or other relevant programmes; · Technical knowledge in atmospheric or environmental science; · Experience with major or international monitoring organizations and networks is an asset, as is experience with other multilateral treaties and international development or environmental organizations including the UN; · Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; · Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; · 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 work and 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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; · Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4×4 over rough terrain; · Sound security awareness; · Have affinity with or interest in in project management, organizing meetings, administrative tasks, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Atmospheric or environmental science related to ozone and climate.
Competencies and values
· Professionalism · Communication · Team-work
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethi-opia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; Na-tional 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. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
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
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