Project Support Officer

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.

In its Article 20, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), established the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) to (1) facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on, and experience with, living modified organisms, and (2) assist Parties to implement the Protocol, taking into account the special needs of developing country Parties, in particular the least developed and small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition as well as countries that are centers of origin and centers of genetic diversity. The UNEP implemented two previous Projects in GEF eligible countries (BCH Projects Phase I and II) to assist Parties to participate to the BCH. While BCH-I project involved 80% of eligible countries (109), BCH-II involved only the first 50 countries that endorsed it. The present BCH-III project, the “UNEP-GEF Project for Sustainable Capacity Building for Effective Participation in the BCH”, extends the BCH-II project to the last 76 eligible countries (COP/MOP Decision BS VI/5 paragraph 2f).

The project recognizes that “capacity-building needs vary from country to country”, and that many do not have in place fully established and functional biosafety regulatory frameworks (NBFs) that meet the requirements of the Protocol. Nevertheless, the BCH-III project will conduct the main components of BCH-II project while taking into consideration the recommendations and lessons learned from its predecessor to adopt a holistic approach for capacity building and tackle the sustainability issue of the participation to the BCH. Hence, the objective of BCH-III is to “sustain the effective participation to the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) of Parties that are eligible for GEF funding”. It aims to ensure (i) that participating countries have established sustainable national procedures to gather information to put on the BCH, and (ii) that they have the expertise to use, access and participate efficiently to the BCH. This will ultimately improve countries’ compliance to the Protocol while ensuring a safer handling and use of LMOs for a further Global Conservation of Biodiversity.

The Project Support Officer will support the implementation of the Project for Sustainable Capacity Building for Effective Participation in the BCH (BCH III).

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Environmental Governance and Conventions Branch, Law Division, and direct supervision of the BCH III Project Manager, the International UN Volunteer, in close collaboration with the Project Assistant in the Division and Regional Advisors, will ensure effective and timely implementation of the BCH III Project by:

Providing the overall support to the project manager and ensuring effective execution and visibility of the project daily by: a) Assisting with the planning, coordination, reviewing and reporting processes at the United Nations Environment Programme level. b) Maintaining an updated record on progress of the project activities. c) Providing administrative and technical expertise required by the BCH III participating countries and other implementing partners of the project.

Specific responsibilities, under the supervision of the Project Manager will include, but are not limited to the following:

I. Technical and Programme Support to BCH III Project • Assist in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) project, review documents and reports. • Identify priorities, tracks problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with partners; • Identify and initiate follow-up actions for the management of day-to-day operations of the project; provide assistance to the work of the Biosafety Clearing House teams. • Assist in preparation of contracts and agreements with appropriate partner institution, organizations and individuals; • Assist in the production and dissemination of informative material on new capacity building opportunities for effective participation in the BCH project; • Assist in organizing of orientation and training workshops for trainers; • Assist in the organization and convening of national and regional workshops. • Provide administrative and substantive support to BCH meetings, including preparation of background documents, presentations, handling of logistics and participation in field missions. • Assist in the coordination of a network among BCH operatives and provide support to the Regional Coordinators in establishing linkages and mainstreaming the BCH into national/regional biosafety implementation projects and facilitate transfer and sharing of experience and information between participating countries. • Participate and in the external review and self-evaluation of the BCH project outputs to the UNEP-GEF Project Steering Committee Group (Global Environment Facility); • Coordinate and monitor the progress of experts and consultants and the process on national sub-projects in participating countries; providing input into the GEF-managed monitoring and evaluation activities, particularly the annual Project Implementation Review; • Assist in the preparation of inputs to quarterly progress reports to UNEP on the BCH project; and of inputs to Annual Progress Reports to UNEP for transmission to GEF. • Contribute to activities related to budget a financial management of the project and assist in the preparation of financial reports to UNEP and other co-financing organizations and partners. • Undertake other relevant duties as directed by the Project Manager and the Branch Chief as necessary.

II. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • 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: 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. Communication: Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; Ability to communicate effectively with donors, supervisors, and project partners; Ability to prepare reports that are clear, concise, and meaningful.

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. Planning and 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.

project planning and management, analysis, and research, at the national or international level. Experience in the management of environmental projects, including monitoring and evaluation is a plus. Working knowledge of any other UN Official language 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.