General

Description of assignment title: Associate Programme Officer

Assignment country: Kenya

Expected start date: 10/01/2023

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 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. 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. The UN Environment Africa Office represents UNEP in Africa and coordinates its programme of work in the Region. The office ensures that there is effective and efficient delivery of interventions in response to regional, sub-regional and national needs. It also ensures that there is better coherence and coordination in the effective delivery of environmental capacity-building and technical support at all levels in response to country needs and priorities. The UN Environment Africa Office works on 7 priority areas: Climate Change, Disasters and Conflicts, Ecosystems Management, Environmental Governance, Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste, Resource Efficiency and Environment Under Review. This position is initiated to support the Africa Office Regional Development Coordination (RDC) Unit in the transitioning and operationalization of the country focal point (CFP) Mechanism with key focus on backstopping UN Country Team (UNCT) processes in French-speaking African countries.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Development Coordinator for Africa or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the national UNV will:

•  Provide technical support in the operationalization of UNEP’s New Delivery Model in UNCTs in Central and West Africa.
•  Provide technical support to UNEP’s Country Focal Point Model to facilitate stronger engagement with UNCTs, DCO, and Member States to better integrate environmental sustainability and climate action in UNCT work in Central and West Africa.
•  Provide administrative and technical support to the various stages of CCA formulation and UN-CF development and implementation processes in Central and West Africa.
•  Participate in RDC Unit’s programmatic work in Central and West Africa in line with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022-2025 including resource mobilization initiatives.
•  Provide technical and administrative support to the RDCO including support to Peer Support Group (PSG) quality assessment of CCAs and UN-CFs for Central and West Africa.
•  Assist the coordination of UN-INFO reporting for UNEP projects in Central and West Africa.
•  Responsible for collecting and documenting lessons learnt in the course of his/her work to further support UNEP’s deepened engagement with UNCTs.
•  Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs including draft background papers, briefing notes, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, and publications.
•  Provide administrative and substantive support to meetings, workshops, and other interactive sessions and so on to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, meeting reports, handling logistics, etc.
•  Participate in UNCT retreats and influence their outcomes to ensure that ES and CA are adequately integrated in UNCT work.
•  Provide technical backstopping and translation support on documentation and communication from French-speaking countries in Africa, which cover almost half of the continent.
•  Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned as deemed by the RDCO, DRD, and RD. Results/expected outputs:
•  Deliver well-researched, sound, and well-reasoned written outputs of the various deliverables of the UNCT engagement processes.
•  Effectively, and in a timely manner, provide technical inputs to UNCTs upon request.
•  Effectively, and in a timely manner, liaise with CFPs, UNCTs Focal Points, colleagues, and concerned parties internally and externally.
•  Contribute to the successful delivery of RDC’s unit existing and future programmatic work.
•  Enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration with other UNEP Units/Sub Programmes and with partners outside the agency.
•  Enhance information sharing and knowledge management through collecting, documenting, and disseminating of lessons learnt through RDC programmatic work.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

4 years of experience in sustainable development and implementation of environmental-related programmes, projects, and activities is required. Prior experience at the international level is advantageous. sustainable development and implementation of environmental-related programmes, projects, and activities is required.

•  Fluency in written and spoken French and English is a requirement.
•  Experience with research and analytical work, and the science-policy interface
•  Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
•  Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
•  Experience in UNCT work is required.
•  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 MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
•  Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
•  Desirable: Good knowledge of SDGs and 2030 Agenda is required

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in a field related to environment science, conservation, natural resource management, project management, economies, or related fields. A master’s degree in any of the fields mentioned is advantageous.

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 an 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: 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 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 UNEP’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 on the coast of East 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 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.

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