Research Assistant

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 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.

The overall objective of the UNEP's Economy Division is to encourage decision-makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The Sustainable Mobility Unit works towards promoting the shift to no and low emissions mobility. This position is in UNEP’s Economy Division, Energy and Climate Branch, Sustainable Mobility Unit.

Under the direct supervision of Jane Akumu, Programme Management Officer, Sustainable Mobility Unit of UNEP, Nairobi, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Carry out research on used vehicles in Africa, in particular: o Number of used vehicles imported into Africa by exporting countries o Quality of the used vehicles imported in terms of age, and emission standards o Regulations/restrictions in importing countries o Strategies and policies implemented/proposed to support cleaner used vehicles at city, national and regional level o Maintain an updated database on the above • Conduct research and prepare a paper on regulations for restricting export of used vehicles by the main exporting countries/regions of Japan, US, Europe, South Korea and China • Research international and Africa-specific literature linking vehicle emissions and health and prepare periodic reports.
• Carry out continuous research on cleaner mobility initiatives in Africa, in particular: o mobility programs by mode – 2&3 wheeler, cars, buses and trucks o Challenges and barriers to cleaner mobility uptake o Successful initiatives and reasons for the success o Propose policies and strategies to promote cleaner mobility • Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences etc. • Promote the dissemination of sustainable mobility examples in Africa • Performs other duties as required

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.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Self-management

research, data collection and analysis or training is required at the national and/or international level

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.

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