Technical Specialist - Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

Consultant Environment

Overview

Provide leadership on Nature based Solutions in UNEP Somalia Programme.

You have:

• Relevant university degree (master’s or equivalent) in environmental, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in Nature-based Solutions, Ecosystem-based Approaches, sustainable natural resources management, climate adaptation and climate resilience is required.
• Extensive experience in designing/implementing Ecosystem/Nature-based Approaches on the ground is required.
• Experience with advisory work, developing policy briefs, guidelines and frameworks is desired.
• Experience working in arid environments and fragile contexts is desired.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
• Positive, constructive attitude to work.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Contract

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Result of Service

To provide high-level technical expertise and programme-wide leadership on Nature based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) across UNEP’s Somalia Country Programme. The Specialist will strengthen the integration of NbS/EbA into national policies, local interventions, ecosystem restoration initiatives, climate security analysis, environmental governance systems, and project development and implementation.

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment. The Disasters and Conflicts Branch (DCB) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) work to minimize environmental risks before, during, and after conflicts and disasters. The branch provides scientific assessments, policy guidance, and capacity-building support to help countries strengthen environmental resilience and integrate sustainable natural resource management into peacebuilding and recovery efforts. Through partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and civil society, UNEP’s Disasters and Conflicts Branch supports initiatives in post-crisis recovery, disaster risk reduction, and climate security and peacebuilding to promote long-term environmental sustainability and stability in fragile and conflict-affected regions. UNEP is growing its portfolio of projects in Somalia. While several other projects are in different stages of finalization, the main program currently under implementation is the Jowhar Off-stream Storage Program (JOSP), a multi-agency initiative aimed at enhancing water storage, environmental resilience, and climate adaptation in Hirshabelle State, Somalia. The program focuses on rehabilitating critical irrigation infrastructure, integrating ecosystem-based approaches, and strengthening governance frameworks to improve long-term water security and conflict prevention. The program is implemented by a consortium comprising FAO, IOM, UNEP, UNHABITAT, UNIDO, World Vision and local partners targeting approximately 1.5 million beneficiaries in Somalia’s Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. UNEP’s key workstreams under JOSP comprises of: • Supporting environmental peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms • Providing capacity building on environmental governance to the Somali Government • Establishing an ecosystem risk mitigation monitoring system within JOSP • Technical NbS advisory to partners and harmonizing the implementation of NbS across JOSP The consultant will report to the Somalia Project Manager, Disasters and Conflicts Branch. Work Assignments and Outputs:- A. Programme wide Technical Leadership • Provide strategic guidance on integrating NbS and EbA across all UNEP Somalia projects and thematic areas, including ecosystem restoration, water management, climate security, environmental governance and carbon markets. • Lead crosscutting NbS technical workstreams, ensuring scientific and policy coherence. • Identify opportunities for scaling NbS/EbA approaches within the country programme. B. Technical Advisory & Analysis • Deliver day to day NbS/EbA advisory to UNEP teams, implementing partners, and the Government of Somalia • Provide technical briefs, analytical inputs, modelling interpretations, and option assessments for ecosystem restoration, riverine stabilisation, land management, flood risk reduction, urban greening, Eco-DRR, and climate adaptation. • Lead technical inputs for climate resilient planning by supporting the development of Adaptation Management Plans in rural sub catchments, floodplains, and urban areas, integrating NbS and hybrid grey–green solutions. • Review climate change, land use planning, and water governance policies to identify gaps and opportunities for integrating NbS and hybrid measures and provide recommendations for reforms and incentive mechanisms that support scale up. • Review, catalogue, and adapt NbS options suitable for landscapes across Somalia (arid, riverine, coastal, urban). C. Policy Support & Environmental Governance • Support the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (MoECC), Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation, and other relevant institutions in developing NbS/EbA informed climate and environmental policies. • Draft evidence-based policy recommendations, policy briefs, guidance notes, and technical guidelines that promote NbS and hybrid adaptation measures for climate adaptation, land restoration, urban development, and disaster risk reduction. • Produce recommendations for climate change related land planning and water management reforms based on policy review findings. • Contribute to national frameworks, strategies, and processes where NbS/EbA apply. D. Capacity Building & Partnerships • Design and deliver training on NbS/EbA for government institutions, UN agencies, and local partners. • Support harmonization of NbS approaches across multiagency consortia. • Build partnerships with research institutions, universities, NGOs, and private sector actors to expand NbS innovation in Somalia. E. Knowledge Products & Frameworks • Produce technical frameworks, operational tools, and guidance documents for integrating NbS into programme design, infrastructure projects, and community-based interventions. • Consolidate reports, lessons learned, and best practices from project interventions to build a strong evidence base for NbS implementation and promote investment in NbS across government and development partners. F. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting • Develop NbS monitoring indicators, resilience outcomes metrics, and evaluation approaches, aligned with national climate adaptation frameworks. • Contribute sections to donor reports, annual programme reports, and thematic briefs. • Track progress of NbS integration across the programme and recommend improvements. Expected Outputs/Work Assignments 1. Somalia NbS Strategic Assessment – analysis of existing initiatives; mapping of opportunities; recommendations for programme-wide NbS integration 2. Technical Advisory notes – Rolling briefs for partners and government on NbS/EbA options for Somali ecosystems 3. Policy & Governance guidance - Drafted briefs, policy inputs, and guidelines for ministries & partners 4. Capacity Building Package - Training materials, modules, and delivery of workshops 5. Provide technical oversight on NbS workstreams in projects from concept stage to implementation 6. Engage with project partners including FAO, UN-Habitat, IOM, UNIDO, World Vision, implementing partners, and government institutions 7. Adaptation Management Plan support – Technical inputs for rural, floodplain, and urban adaptation plans integrating NbS and hybrid solutions. 8. Policy review and reform package – Analysis of land, climate, and water policies; recommendations for NbS enabling reforms and incentives. 9. Lessons learned & investment brief – Consolidated best practices and evidence promoting NbS investment and replication. 10. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

Qualifications/special skills

Relevant university degree (master’s or equivalent) in environmental, ecology, natural resources, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. • At least 7 years of professional experience in Nature-based Solutions, Ecosystem-based Approaches, sustainable natural resources management, climate adaptation and climate resilience is required. • Extensive experience in designing/implementing Ecosystem/Nature-based Approaches on the ground is required • Experience with advisory work, developing policy briefs, guidelines and frameworks is desired • Experience working in arid environments and fragile contexts is desired

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Operational competencies • Strong communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills. • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback. • Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work. • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards. • Positive, constructive attitude to work. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Added 1 month ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: careers.un.org