Special Advisor (to the Head of the 10YFP/One Planet Network Secretariat)

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 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP), adopted by Heads of State at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012, is a global framework for action to accelerate the shift towards Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in both developed and developing countries.

UNEP was mandated by the UN General Assembly to serve as the Secretariat of the 10YFP. As reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 10YFP plays a central role in achieving the shift to SCP: its implementation is the first target of Sustainable Development Goal 12 on “Ensuring sustainable consumption and production”; the 10YFP is also recognized as the Framework of reference for decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation in SDG 8. The 10YFP generates impact through multi-stakeholder programmes and partnerships, which develop, replicate, and scale up SCP policies and practices at all levels and which form together the One Planet Network (www.oneplanetnetwork.org).

The One Planet Network is integrated by the Secretariat and includes six global multistakeholder programmes on consumer information, sustainable public procurement, lifestyles and education, buildings and construction, and sustainable tourism, comprising more than 6000 thousand individual members, 800 international organizations including businesses and 140 national focal points.

The head of the Secretariat of the 10YFP/One Planet Network is responsible for mobilizing global support for the implementation of the Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production (2023-2030) endorsed by the UN General Assembly in December 2022, mobilizing resources and overseeing the implementation of the Results Framework and Budget for the biennium 2023-2024, which guides the Secretariat efforts to implement the Global Strategy.

This UNV assignment will focus in providing organizational and meeting support; agenda management; internal and external communication services; thought leadership and meeting follow-up to the Head of the Secretariat, in order to support the implementation of two of the key outcomes of the Secretariat’s Results Framework: (outcome 1) “Member States demonstrate leadership and commitment to promote and implement SCP as an essential requirement to achieve sustainable development and address the triple planetary crises, with the support of the 10YFP Secretariat and One Planet network”; and (outcome 4) The stakeholder engagement in the One Planet Network, UNEP’s platform of reference on SCP and SDG12, is amplified through strategic communication and advocacy supported by a coherent narrative on Changing how we Think, Act and Inspire on SCP and circularity”.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head and Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the 10YFP/One Planet Network, or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV [Special Assistant or Advisor to the Head and Deputy Head of the 10YFP/One Planet Network Secretariat] will:

Organizational support, planning, and agenda management • Support the planning and organization of missions outside of the duty station and external engagements by the head of the Secretariat within the duty station with institutions and partners; • Coordinate and plan messages for bilateral meetings and participation of the head of the Secretariat in panels, expert meetings, and other international engagements; • Support the organization of value-addition activities for the head of the Secretariat during missions outside of the duty station, involving whenever possible local partners including members of the One Planet Network, aiming at mobilizing public support to changing how we re-think, act, and inspire action for sustainable consumption and production; • Support relevant members of the Secretariat in planning regular engagements with member states, in particular, decision makers from donor countries and partners; • Support relevant members of the Secretariat in planning and coordinating activities related to meetings of the major international environmental agreements • Support to the head of Secretariat in the preparation and coordination of meetings of the 10YFP Board, Group of Friends, and other high-level intergovernmental engagements and events.

Internal and external communications • Provide strategic advice to the Head of the Secretariat and contribute to coordinate activities that strengthen the role and impact of the Board of the One Planet Network, and informal networks such as the group of friends on SCP, as a subsidiary of the UN General Assembly, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the UN Environment Assembly; • Contribute towards monitoring and communicating global progress on gaps and impacts in the uptake of SCP across high impact sectors in coordination with relevant members of the Secretariat; • Support the head of the Secretariat in developing briefing notes, resource mobilization proposals, and strategic presentations for the head of the Secretariat; • Support the Secretariat in collecting inputs from team members, synthesizing / drafting briefings for UNEP’s Executive Office and other senior management members using established templates; • Draft a weekly update of activities and other internal communication materials that will help communicate progress in implementing the results framework of the Secretariat; • Support external advocacy efforts and strategic partner-relationship building by the Head of the Secretariat and when applicable, UNEP Senior Management, through content development, short videos, reflections shared through social media channels, press, and other external channels in coordination with the head of communications of the Secretariat; • Assisting in updating the team’s internal communications channels to reflect new tasks / actions or cooperation opportunities based on meeting outcomes, using appropriate applications.

Thought leadership and coordination of meeting follow-up • Support in research and development in notes and reports, in coordination with relevant team members and partners, of concept proposals and ideas papers associated to monitoring and reporting on progress, gaps, and impacts in the enhanced uptake of SCP in coordination with custodian agencies, scientific panels, the UN system, MEA Secretariats, and other relevant stakeholders; • Developing with the Head of the Secretariat strategic papers that facilitate the uptake of SCP and circularity in the context of a multilateral and multi-stakeholder dialogue on SCP, that will be convened and moderated by the 10YFP Secretariat with the aim to institutionalize a global dialogue on SCP under the aegis of HLPF and/or UNEA.

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active [insert name Host Agency] team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to the United Nations Environment Programme in its capacity as Secretariat of the 10YFP/One Planet Network and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including by contributing to the following targets and expected outputs:

o Increased number of Member States reporting policies and commitments under SDG 12.1.1 focusing on high-impact sectors and contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and chemicals and waste agendas; o Significant references and outcomes calling for SCP approaches in high-impact sectors in draft decisions of key multilateral agreements such as UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, Minamata, BRS Conventions, and G20, with the support of the Member States (10YFP Board, Group of Friends) and OPN lead partners; o Increased number of countries and funds committing financially to the implementation of the Strategy; o Increased number of new core members, initiatives, and new financial resources brought to the OPN programmes with the leadership of the 10YFP Secretariat (including specific data on gender-responsive investments); o Improved understanding and visibility of SCP contribution to addressing the triple planetary crisis through global campaigns and dialogues (High-level Dialogue and OPN Forum) led by the 10YFP Secretariat; o A new narrative on changing how we Think, Act, and Inspire on SCP and circularity, contributing to the global movement on SCP;
o Increased number of individuals and organizational members registered on the One Planet Network website and are actively contributing to the OPN.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the United Nations Environment Programme mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Circular Economy, Sustainable Development; International Development; or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level. • Experience with communications, meeting, and event management, journalism 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; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency and interest to develop content for various social media tools; MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

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 a highland cool and warm tropical climate.