Project Management Associate

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 Science Division of UNEP is responsible for analysing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information, and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyse and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. In response to requests from the Member States, the Climate Services and Capacity Building Unit of the Science Division builds country capacities in the collection, management, and use of environmental and climate data, information, and knowledge for early warning, planning, policy-making, preparedness, and response actions This is done through projects funded by global funds such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and a variety of other bilateral and multilateral funding sources. In addition, the Unit has been tasked to develop a Science-Policy Capacity Development Benchmarking Report to guide the implementation of Science-Policy capacity development efforts under the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2025 and the new Data-Driven Environmental Solutions Hub. The UNV will work in the Climate Services and Capacity Building Unit of the Science Division and report to the Head of the unit.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Portfolio Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

· Analyse documents/communications/reports to determine baselines with regard to environmental capacity building efforts and their results; · Support the development of the Capacity Building Benchmarking report, which will include: 1) definition and criteria for environment related capacity development on the Science-Policy interface; 2) a stocktake of existing capacity development efforts and their results - including an overview of what UNEP currently is doing on the capacity building and development front and how that mirrors demand (or not); 3) needs analysis for capacity development to establish priorities at regional and national levels for developing countries and countries with economies in transition 4) summary of identification of gaps between existing efforts and UNEP institutional infrastructure, and country needs and priorities; 5) identification, outline and documentation of innovative and illustrative capacity building approaches based on success stories and good practices; 6) roadmap for a menu of priority capacity building services for the Data Driven Environmental Solutions Hub · Draft a variety of documents including reports, studies and results-based project documentation based on identified country needs and following applicable standards. · Revise project documentation based on review comments internal and external partners. · Support oversight, monitoring and reporting of assigned projects to ensure they are on track and any issues are resolved promptly. · Maintain an overview of the status of assigned project portfolio, issue alerts and propose remedial measures when necessary. · Document lessons learnt in the implementation of the projects. · Manage a document repository of individual country project files, projects documentation, budgetary and finance records, progress reports, national technical reports, regional advisor mission reports and correspondence. Etc. · Support administrative coordination of projects implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with the diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); · Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; · Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. · Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; · Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; · Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNEP ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

· 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 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

project design and climate services or other relevant programmes, at national and/or international level · Excellent analytical skills and the ability to carry out desk research independently using a variety of sources; · Excellent writing skills (in particular of reports) in English are essential; · High 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;

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.

Link to the Entitlement Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator