Project Support Officer

Job Title: Project Support Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNEP

Assignment country: Kenya

Expected start date: 21/08/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Accessibility measures in place: -

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Nairobi

Reasonable accommodation: No

Additional accessibility info: -

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. UNEP's Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law and environmental governance. The Law Division promotes the contribution of environmental dimension of sustainable development through law, national and international governance, and related policy issues, including those related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). • The Environment Policy Unit is a newly established entity within the Environmental Conventions and Policy Branch at the Law Division. • The primary focus of the Unit is to work on issues of science-policy interfaces, policy coherence, environment policy, governance, youth, and gender work. • The work of the Unit links with other Units of the Branch, Division, and across UNEP. • The Unit is currently consolidating its programmatic focus and will develop its own work streams of priority in line with the priorities of the Branch and Division as well as contribute to UNEPs’ Medium-Term Strategy and Programme of Work.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head, the Policy Unit, within the Environmental Conventions and Policy Branch of the Law Division, the UNV Project Support Officer will ensure effective and timely implementation of the activities of the Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch: • Support the work of the Unit on issues related to Science Policy Interfaces (SPI) in the context of strengthening collaboration with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in close collaboration with the relevant partners. • Work as the Unit’s liaison on issues of ocean governance and biodiversity policy. In this context, support regular communication with the colleagues and partners, seeking inputs and providing compiled information as requested. • Contribute to the preparation of diverse range of written outputs including statistical summaries to support the activities related to the mandate of the Unit e.g., drafting of back-ground papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications and websites. • Contribute to Unit’s programme and project management activities including preparation of legal instruments and contracts. • In close collaboration with the members of the Unit, support the monitoring of implementation of the Unit’s work plan including updating and monitoring files and data for periodic reporting. • Assist in planning and supporting events, workshops, expert meetings, and trainings led by the Unit. • Undertake any other tasks, as may be required, or assigned by the supervisor. • 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); • Any other related tasks, as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. As an active UNEP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNEP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions. • Effective and timely realization of deliverables as per the above-explained duties and responsibilities including the following: • Support to the work of the Unit on issues relating to science policy interfaces, ocean governance, and biodiversity policy. • Delivery of a wide range of technical and office support functions as per UN administrative rules, regulations, and guidelines. • Preparation of project reports, summaries, analyses, and the related. • Strengthening of updating and monitoring of files and data maintained for periodic reporting.

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 science, law or project management is required. · 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 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;

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Legal affairs

Driving license

-

Languages

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

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, social sciences or law

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; · 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; · 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; · Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNEP Law Division’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, 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

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