Programme Specialist (Mercury Expert)

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

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.

The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

This position will be based within the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Chemicals and Waste Team, Industry and Economy Division, UNEP office based in Gigiri, Nairobi. This position will be supervised under the Programme Management Officer within the GEF team. The GEF helps developing countries and those with economies in transition to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits in six focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters, ozone layer depletion, land degradation and chemicals and waste. As part of its duties, the GEF Chemicals and Waste Unit is in charge of supervising a portfolio of ongoing projects, developing new projects to be submitted to the GEF and assist countries to close finished projects.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Support the development of project/s and concept/s for Global Environmental Facility, (GEF) -8 specifically focusing on:

a) mercury in products, b) artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and c) enabling activities, and with relevant experts and stakeholders in coordination with the countries

· Support task management of enabling activities National Implementation Plan/ Minamata Initial Assessment/ National Action Plan (NIPs/MIAs/NAPs), including reporting, as required by the Global Environmental Facility, Chemical and Waste (GEF-CW) unit. · Provide technical inputs in various reports/publications of GEF-CW unit. · Carry out any other related duties and responsibilities as required.

· Accountability · Adaptability and flexibility · Commitment to continuous learning · Integrity · Judgement and decision-making · Planning and organising · Professionalism · Self-management · Respect for diversity.

the field of environmental management of chemicals and wastes, especially on mercury (disposal and recycling, policies, trade, and related areas) are required. experience in environmental pollution issues, including drafting technical papers, reports, and implementation, Experience of working on Multilateral Agreements, and projects funded by Global Environmental Facility (GEF) or similar funding is an asset.

· Familiarity with the Minamata Convention and GEF-supported projects (asset). · Capacity to gather, analyze and synthesise data and generate relevant information (asset). · Prior experience working with international organizations (desirable). · Willingness to promote gender equity. · 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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; · Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; · Sound security awareness; · Have affinity with or interest in UNEP’s mandate, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system

The International Expert UNV will be stationed in Nairobi.

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. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”