Associate Programme Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated 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.

UNEP’s 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.

UNEP through the Africa Office is also the secretariat of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). AMCEN was established in December 1985 to promote regional cooperation in addressing environmental issues confronting the region. AMCEN sets the environmental agenda in Africa; plays a strong advocacy role on environmental sustainability and matters related to environmental management/ protection; gives guidance and support to key political events related to the environment, including multilateral agreements; catalyzes and/or coordinates measures to enhance sustainable development in the region; among others. UNEP as the Secretariat of AMCEN provides both technical and financial support to AMCEN.

The assignment will be under the AMCEN Secretariat. The specific functions of the Secretariat include:

· Supporting the President of AMCEN and its Bureau in the implementation of the decisions of AMCEN; · Providing secretariat services during AMCEN sessions; · Undertaking the organization of work during AMCEN sessions; · Undertaking other coordination activities as necessary for the smooth functioning of AMCEN in the pursuit of its objectives; · Preparing draft programmes of work and budget for consideration and approval during AMCEN sessions; · Preparation of relevant activity and financial reports and other background documents as may be necessary for the AMCEN sessions; · Ensuring necessary coordination with secretariats of other relevant sub-regional, regional, and international bodies; · Performing such other functions as may be determined by AMCEN.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Coordinator, AMCEN Secretariat, or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV – Associate Programme Officer will:

· Provide technical support and participate in intergovernmental processes in the context of the implementation of the work and decisions of AMCEN. · Support the AMCEN Secretariat’s work in research, report writing, and document preparation, including drafting policy and information briefs to communicate AMCEN decisions and their implementation to key stakeholders. · Assist in the development and dissemination of communication and publicity material aimed at raising the profile of AMCEN’s work in the region · Support the AMCEN Secretariat in preparing activity progress reports, including timely reporting of programmatic activities. · Provide support on engagement and maintaining of good relations with partners and relevant organizations, institutions, and stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels, including scientific and academic bodies, private sector, financial institutions, civil society, youth, and gender · Support resource mobilization, building of external relations and partnerships through the development of quality project proposals, timely reporting, and other correspondence as relevant. · Support the organization of AMCEN conferences, meetings, and events, including making arrangements for technical support, facilities, and registration when needed, and provide information to participants. · Assist in the timely and effective communication and engagement with all African countries, in particular the French speaking countries. · Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNEP Africa Office team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNEP Africa Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

· Effective and timely implementation of the work and decisions of AMCEN; · Policy and information briefs on AMCEN decisions and their implementation prepared and research undertaken; · Development and dissemination of communication and publicity material aimed at raising the profile of AMCEN’s work undertaken; · Timely reporting of programmatic activities undertaken, and activity progress reports prepared; · Resource mobilization carried out through the development of quality project proposals; · AMCEN conferences, meetings, and events well organized, and relevant information shared with participants.

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development and environment. Ability to perform a broad range of functions related to general aspects of environment management and evaluation including conceptual and analytical skills and the ability to understand technical documents and review valuation reports. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

· 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 behaviour; 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 a 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.

international environmental management or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level. Experience with planning and project management is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; 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; · Sound security awareness; · Have affinity with or interest in environmental conservation, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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. 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.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.