Climate Action Expert

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The ultimate result of a service dedicated to UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) climate action would ideally be a significant and positive impact on global efforts to address climate change.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 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.

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP has a network of country, liaison, sub-regional and regional offices facilitating the relevant country, sub-regional and regional processes, and coordinating the coherent delivery of UNEP's programme targeting the causes of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste through seven interlinked subprogrammes for action. These are: Climate Action, Chemicals and Pollution Action, Nature Action, Science-Policy, Environmental Governance, Finance and Economic Transformations, and Digital Transformations.

UNEP Regional Office for Africa (ROA) supports environmental governance institutions and processes and engages a broad range of partners that include governmental, nongovernmental, academic, and private sector entities on multilateral environmental agreements and sustainability programmes and projects in response to national, sub regional and regional needs and priorities. UNEP's support to countries, sub-regions and Africa is guided by reforms of the UN Development System including the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team systems. This position is in UNEP-ROA at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Director and Regional Representative, ROA, the consultant will carry out the following:

1) Coordinate UNEP Programme of Work Development for the Region: a) Provide expert guidance in the development of UNEP's regional and national activities and projects, ensuring alignment with regional needs and perspectives while upholding UNEP's obligations under its Programme of Work. b) Conduct comprehensive regional climate change needs assessments and analyses to inform and guide the strategic development of UNEP's activities and projects. c) Scrutinize all climate change projects with regional and national components submitted to the Project Approval Group (PAG) or the Project Review Group (PRC). d) Review projects across various thematic areas, including cross-cutting projects. e) Spearhead the development of project proposals, ensuring alignment with the UNEP Programme of Work, its outputs, and addressing regional needs. 2) Contribute to the Implementation of the UNEP Programme of Work in the Region: a) Oversee the coordinated implementation of climate change activities and initiatives from the UNEP Programme of Work in the region, providing expert insight. b) Collaborate with UNEP Divisions/Regional Office teams to craft a cohesive Programme of climate change activities tailored to the region. c) Offer expert support to the Divisions in the implementation of climate change activities and projects. 3) Develop and Maintain Partnerships and Coordinated Relationships: a) Assist in crafting work agreements with key regional partners to support the effective implementation of the UNEP Programme of Work. b) Identify technical centers in the region through which UNEP can execute its activities and establish necessary agreements. c) Collaborate with international and regional institutions to ensure climate change negotiators and stakeholders are well-informed with scientific information for negotiations under multilateral environmental agreements. 4) Facilitate Information Flow and Communications: a) Stay informed about climate change activities and initiatives within the region, disseminating regional information to UNEP Divisions/Regional Office. b) Support the development and maintenance of the UNEP climate change website and intranet, ensuring key documents are readily available for UNEP staff. c) Facilitate the development of special outreach materials and presentations. d) Actively participate in meetings. 5) Lead Data Collection and Analysis Efforts: Lead efforts to collect and analyze data, providing insights to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensure accessible and shared data across the team for informed decision-making.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environment, climate change and/or development or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in environment, climate change or related area is required. Experience in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) including negotiation processes is required Experience in programme and project management preferably in the field of environment and climate change such as adaptation and mitigation is desirable. Experience in UN programming processes at the country and regional level is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.