Programme Associate (UN Environment)

General

Description of assignment title

Programme Associate

Assignment country

Kenya

Expected start date

23/06/2025

Sustainable Development Goal

15. Life on land

Volunteer category

International UN Youth Volunteer

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

Established in 1972, 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. This UNV position is in UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, Reporting to the Principal Coordinator, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration at the Nairobi duty station. 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. On 1 March 2019, under Resolution 73/284, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2021–2030 to be the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (hereafter referred to as the UN Decade), with the primary aim being to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. UNEP and FAO, as the lead UN agencies, were mandated to develop the strategy and implement the UN Decade.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Principal Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: •Providing coordination support to the UN Decade activities, as well as to the current and new Flagships. •Supporting in the establishment and management of partnerships for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. •Assuring quality of the secretariat functions to the meetings of the Strategy Group and Executive Board of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund. •Support to and coordination of the UN Decade Advisory Board meetings and activities. •Supporting the UN Decade partners in implementing the UN Decade Action Plan. •Assisting the UN Decade Coordinator (D1) on matters in relation to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund of the UN Decade, bilateral donors as well as other funding sources. •Liaise internally and externally to support the UN Decade implementation, as well as related UN and UNEP’s processes, in coordination with co-leading agencies and partners. 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 in-stance 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 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.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 80

Required experience

1 month

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 months

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Kiswahili, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Environmental Studies, International Relations, Communication, Political Science, or a related field is required.

Competencies and values

☐ Accountability ☐ Adaptability and Flexibility ☐ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Communication ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Working in Teams

Skills and experience

Experience in project/programme support is required. •At least 3 months of relevant experience related to implementation of environmental related programmes, projects and activities is required. •Excellent computer skills, proficiency in MS Word, excel and PowerPoint various Microsoft office packages are required. •Excellent oral and written skills •Accuracy and professional in document production and editing •Prior experience with UN online systems is an asset •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. •Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight dead-lines. •Sound security awareness. •Have affinity with or interest in environmental matters volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication

Driving license

–

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya’s population of more than 39 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 a rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at cost. 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 is serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

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

Scam warning

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