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 centres of origin and centres of genetic diversity.

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.

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Environmental Conventions and Policy 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.

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; and · 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.

· Accountability · Adaptability and flexibility · Creativity · Judgement and decision-making · Planning and organising · Professionalism · Self-management

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. · Good knowledge of the work of UNEP, the MEAs, or other relevant programmes; experience with management of projects is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; · 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; and · Have affinity with or interest in Biosafety, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

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. 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. The International UNV will be stationed in Nairobi with provision to travel to project sites within the context of the project activities.