Water Ecosystems Specialist
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 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. UN Environment's mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Freshwater Ecosystems Unit, Marine and Freshwater Branch within the Ecosystems Division, is scaling up work on water to enable countries to accelerate their science-informed actions to address the climate, nature, and pollution crises. Freshwater ecosystems and improving management of freshwater resources plays a pivotal role and forms part of the solution, articulated in the Executive Director’s Report to UNEA6 and in UNEP’s Global Freshwater Strategic Priorities 2022-2025 in support of implementation of the Medium Term Strategy (MTS). The 2030 Agenda, the Water Action Agenda, and the UN System Wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation provide a unique and strong global framework as a foundation to accelerate action to tackle freshwater issues over the coming years.
UNEP’s global mandate and comparative advantage make it well placed and prepared to support countries to implement the water-related SDG targets, with an official role as the custodian agency responsible for global monitoring and reporting of SDG targets relating to protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems (SDG target 6.6), addressing ambient water quality of water bodies (SDG target 6.3) and implementing Integrated Water Resources Management, or IWRM (SDG target 6.5). The ongoing work to develop tools and methods to inform and inspire freshwater-linked targets and indicators that track freshwater ecosystem health and extent – in particular, for wetlands - is both timely and critical to fill the current gaps on global observation of freshwater ecosystems. By advancing the collection and production of knowledge, data and information, UNEP aims to work with partners to improve country access to the data and information needed at different scales to inform their water-related policies, plans, actions and investments.
Under the direction of and reporting to the Head of the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit of the Marine and Freshwater Branch, the Water Ecosystems Specialist will undertake the following activities:
•Research methods, tools and approaches used for freshwater ecosystems extent, status, water quantity including through earth observations. •Assists in the exploration, identification, and acquisition of sources of statistical data to help inform the development of a global observational system on wetland ecosystems. •Assists in capacity building of Member States, researchers and institutions to enable countries to identify and verify actionable data and information on wetland ecosystems for policy and planning. •Support the Head of the Unit to establish joined up, inter-disciplinary freshwater eco-system research and collaboration network by identifying and bringing key water institutions together. •Support the establishment of regional, sub-regional and/or basin wide networks connected to existing collaborative frameworks to improve the application of science findings, protection, restoration and sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems include through south south and triangular exchanges. •Supports the Head of Unit to ensure that information collected and included in the global wetland watch and in UNEP’s World Environment Situation Room platforms on freshwater ecosystems is accurate, accessible, understandable, scientifically robust, near real-time and in high-resolution. •Assists the team in the work on capacity building of Member States to improve the SDG 6 indicator monitoring for which UNEP is custodian and connect across the UN-Water community to share lessons and form coalitions for action. •Conduct research, coordinate drafting and review of materials, presentations and re-ports to support the implementation of the UNEA6 water resolution. •Contributes to the design and development of projects, programmes and initiatives to support UNEP’s integrated approach to freshwater action and implementation of the UNEA6 water resolution.
In undertaking these duties, the Water Ecosystems Specialist will establish and maintain relationships to support collaboration with data, statistical, scientific, and other specialists, as well as technical staff across UNEP, UNEP-DHI, UN-Water and the UN system as well as representatives in national governments, international organizations, private sector, and NGOs.
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.
•Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. •Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. •Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; proven interpersonal skills; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance, and commitment towards the UN core values.
relevant fields of which at least two years of progressively responsible experience in in the field of environmental conservation, scientific research or science to policy work is required •Experience working on freshwater ecosystems and/or wetlands as a topic is required. •Candidates must be able to demonstrate they are organized, reliable and efficient. An understanding of how to work effectively as part of a team, and a willingness to learn and grow professionally by taking on new competencies and remaining abreast of de-velopments in the freshwater ecosystem monitoring and mapping fields is essential. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of various actors is also required. As well, UNEP highly values creativity and innovative thinking, coupled with a problem-solving mindset.
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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