Programme Support 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 Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch focuses on strengthening institutional and governance mechanisms to bring greater efficiency and coherence to the way environmental issues are addressed in the pursuit of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The branch works in close cooperation with UNEP-administered Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Secretariats, providing input to the preparations of the governing body meetings and following-up on their decisions. The branch delivers programmatic support for coherent and synergistic implementation of MEAs within and across their thematic clusters. This includes provision of technical and capacity building support at regional and national level and development of tools and approaches for effective implementation of the MEAs. While activities are primarily linked to the Environmental Governance Subprogramme, they also contribute to the achievement of the expected accomplishment under other Subprogrammes of the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and Programme of Work.

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). This position is in the Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch of the Law Division at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Chief, Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch.

The Programme Support Officer will support the day-to-day activities of the branch, as related to policy, and strategic environmental governance activities.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Chief of the Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch, Law Division, the UN Volunteer, in close collaboration with the project managers in the Division, will ensure effective and timely implementation of the activities of the Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch by:

• Assisting in the activities related to UNEP’s work on the UN Development System Reform, providing administrative and substantive support to the Deputy Chief with preparations and participation in meetings of the Advisory Group on UNDS reform.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of UNEP Programme Frameworks by providing assistance to the Deputy Chief with inputs to the processes led by the Policy and Programme Division and the project teams of the branch.
• Assisting in facilitating cooperation with the regional offices by creating efficient and regular communication channels and networks to promote project implementation and joint activities on the ground.
• Providing assistance to promote technical level dialogue, interaction and inputs with the MEA secretariats on programmatic issues, including the coordination of the work of the MEAs focal point network for effective and timely communication with the MEA Secretariats, with an aim to strengthen the programmatic cooperation between the MEAs and UNEP Law Division in the context of UNEP MTS and the POW and the strategy of the branch.
• Assisting in monitoring the overall project activities of the Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch; advising the Deputy Chief of Branch on reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and recommending corrective actions.
• Providing administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences and side events of MEA-related projects and activities of the branch.
• Performs other duties in the Law Division as required.

Furthermore, UNV volunteers are encouraged to: - Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD); - Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; - Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; - Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; - Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers; - Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Professionalism: Good knowledge of the work of UNEP, the MEAs and in particular, management of projects; Familiarity with the United Nations and its policies, procedures and operations as well as relevant experience in the same field; Good analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; General understanding of environmental issues; Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues; Ability to review and edit the work of others.

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

project planning and management, outreach, analysis and research, at the national or international level. - Experience in the management of environmental projects, including monitoring and evaluation is a plus. - Knowledge of any other UN Official language, especially French is an asset.

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.