Sustainable Food Security 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 Kenya, the SDG Partnership Platform (SDGPP) brings together development partners, private sector and philanthropy players as well as both National and devolved levels of Government by taking on a leadership role in facilitation, coordination and demonstration of how public and private collaborations can effectively translate the SDGs into action and thereby guide unlocking of new SDG financing and driving impact around the SDGs.

Amidst the current transition from SDG funding to financing, the SDGPP has developed a broad positioning and credibility on convening, connecting and catalyzing SDG Partnerships, Investments and Financing and co-created wide ranging associate platforms and networks with private sector partners.

In leading the execution of this process, SDGPP relies on its technical expertise, that of other UN agencies and SDGPP partners and co-created platforms, including the Finance, Trade and Investments Network (FINTRINET), and the National Advisory Board for Impact Investments (NAB), in best practice and knowledge generation as well as program execution.

Further, due to the myriad of untapped opportunities within green/climate financing gaining more and more impetus in recent times against the formidable challenges of the climate crisis, SDGPP sets out to further concretise on these opportunities across varied actors and financing tools. This is particularly a priority for the Kenyan Government and the Outcomes from the Food Systems Summit held in 2021 to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about foods within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to meet the challenges of poverty, food security, malnutrition, population growth, climate change, and sustainable management of natural resources (for agriculture, forestry and fishery).

The Specialist UNV will support the SDGPP (particularly Window 2) in its work to facilitate the realisation of the Food System Summit outcomes in Kenya and the wider food value chain challenge as well as sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishery with sustainable management of natural resources. The five action areas under the FSS Outcomes include (1) Nourish All People; (2) Boost Nature-based Solutions; (3) Advance Equitable Livelihoods, Decent Work and Empowered Communities; (4) Build Resilience to Vulnerabilities, Shocks and Stresses; and (5) Accelerating the Means of Implementation. The UN Volunteer will work with all relevant UN entities, private sector and government. By the placement in the SDGPP in the RCO under the RC’s overall leadership the UN Volunteer position will be strategically placed to impact all 27 UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in Kenya plus a wider range of stakeholders in driving overall agri systems to achieve climate-friendly and environmentally sound food production and access to safe and nutritious food.

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the SDG Partnership Platform, and working especially with relevant SDGPP thematic window coordinators, but also with the SDG MPTF Secretariat and the overall RCO team, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Identification of funding, financing, and partnership opportunities (including management of a dashboard) in green/climate financing with a particular focus on opportunities relevant to SDGPP and the UNSDCF on Food and Nutrition Security for the realisation of the Food Systems Summit outcomes in Kenya and sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishery with sustainable management of natural resources.

• Support the development of capacities and systems (such as joint UN programmes in relevant areas, explore joint funding, explore the private sector investment possibilities in Kenya etc) in the UN RCO team and the UNCT through the SDG Partnership Platform. This will include mapping out, identifying and successfully applying for resources to Food and Nutrition Security for the realisation of the Food Systems Summit outcomes in Kenya and sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishery with sustainable management of natural resources as required within the country context and the needs of the UN in Kenya.

• Support the overall partnerships work of the Platform, incl. emerging partnerships in the further evolution of the Platform in alignment and support for the UNSDCF.

• Technical assistance to projects, e.g., evaluating business plans and feasibility studies, ESIAs, financial modelling, risk assessments, and sector studies.

• Capacity development, e.g., organizing country-level workshops, advisory consulting, knowledge management.

• Support other tasks at SDGPP as directed by the Platform Coordinator. The UN Volunteer may be required to travel to conferences and workshops related to the position and is also expected to contribute to the overall work done by the SDGPP and the RCO as need be to realise the objectives of the UNSDCF.

Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment and Motivation Communication Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

Investment identification and promotion relating to the green economy.

· Networking skills · Project Management and Coordination skills · Strong written and oral communication skills · Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) analysis would be an asset · Knowledge on nature based solutions and or climate smart agriculture would be an asset · Work experience in emerging economies would be an asset

The incumbent will find his/her own housing arrangements in Nairobi. Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at a reasonable cost. The city is at a high altitude, with sunny days and cooler nights. There is a short rainy season before Christmas, and long rains fall from March to May. November to February is generally warm. No need for central heating, however, warm clothes are necessary during the rainy season. There are several transportation options in Nairobi, including taxis, buses, mini-buses, and mobile applications for transport. Public healthcare in Nairobi is generally subpar, but there are private healthcare options that are of better quality. The city is widely connected through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many upcountry destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both UN-HABITAT and UNEP and as the UN Regional Hub for the East and Horn of Africa region. Security is an issue in Nairobi, with incidents of car-jacking and theft not uncommon. Safety and security in Nairobi vary depending on different neighborhoods, and it is important to become familiar with safety recommendations for the city. The telecommunication system in Nairobi is generally sufficient. Internet access is generally reliable. There are fairly frequent power cuts, however, most of the shared compounds have generators. Water supply can also be an issue as Kenya often experiences drought. In these situations, expats may need to supplement their water supply by buying in water tankers. Kenyans are wonderfully friendly and tolerant of visitors. English is the first language spoken here, though most Kenyans are trilingual, using tribal languages and Kiswahili.