Project Assistant in Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP)

Contract

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

The Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) is a World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Type II partnership that was created in 2001 to conserve great apes and their habitat in Africa and Asia. GRASP is a unique alliance comprised of national governments, United Nations agencies, conservation organizations, research institutions and private supporters, which aims to save the great apes by combining political commitment, education and practical conservation.

The GRASP Secretariat is co-hosted by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and is housed within the Wildlife Unit in UN Environment’s Ecosystems Division in Nairobi, Kenya. The Ecosystems Division is responsible for the implementation of the Healthy and Productive Ecosystems sub-programme of the seven thematic priorities of UN Environment in the Medium Term Strategy 2018-2021

GRASP's mission is to work as a coherent alliance to conserve wild populations of great apes in their natural habitats in Africa and Asia, and to ensure that where apes and people interact, their interactions are both positive and sustainable. GRASP also seeks to reduce the threats facing the same biodiversity-rich ecosystems which share the forests with the great apes and to illustrate what can be achieved through a genuine global partnership between myriad stakeholders.

The International UN Volunteer will be an integrated part of the GRASP team in the Wildlife Unit, based at the UN Environment headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. He/she will provide programmatic support in projects that address issues such as climate change, green economy, and conflict-sensitive conservation. The International UN Volunteer will play a central role in GRASP communication and will maintain and update information on the GRASP website and GRASP social media tools.

Under the direct supervision of the GRASP Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Participate in the development of project concept notes and proposals, briefing notes and implementation agreements on subjects relevant to great ape conservation, such as climate change, green economy, conflict-sensitive conservation, land-use planning, illegal trade, etc.; • Support the preparation and organization of GRASP workshops and meetings to take place in the great ape range or non-range countries; • Maintain GRASP website, update information on the website and on social media tools; • Contribute ideas on how to increase the visibility of the GRASP programme in relevant platforms through social media and other online channels; • Gather and analyze data relevant to GRASP projects, keep updated on new developments in the field of conservation, including research and policy progress; • Provide support to the implementation and management of GRASP projects and other projects implemented by the Wildlife Unit; • Collect and compile data for research and analysis on wildlife- and habitat-related issues, including questionnaire surveys and spatial data; • Liaise with GRASP partners to ascertain their needs for assistance from GRASP; • Translate of GRASP documents and correspondence (English/French); • Undertake other tasks as required, and in accordance with interests and experience.

Results/Expected Outputs:

Under the supervision of the GRASP Programme Coordinator, the successful International UN Volunteer will achieve the following results:

• Successful analysis of information relevant for great ape conservation and sustainable development; • Successful contribution to the preparation of reports, briefing notes, concepts, implementation agreements and communications materials that reconcile issues of conservation and sustainable development on behalf of great apes; • Improved efficiency in partnership communication; • Enhanced information sharing through communications products, and dissemination of lessons learned from projects;

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations; • 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 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; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working

issues related to great apes, species conservation, biodiversity, or sustainable development; Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, experience in managing website content; Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship).

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 seven administrative provinces plus the Nairobi Area. Provinces are further divided into districts. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 39 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 a 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). The normal “lean season” is in June and July. Severe drought in 1999-2000 led to decreased agricultural production, and according to FAO, “seriously undermined the food security of 4.4 million people, particularly in pastoral areas. Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at cost. 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 is serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.