Environment & Climate Specialist at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Environment and Climate Specialist will work in the RCO in the SDG MPTF Secretariat for the UNCT Kenya with its 24 agencies. The Specialist reports to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, who provides overall direction and guidance, through the Head of RCO. Under the leadership of the RC, the Specialist will be able to capitalize on the capacity of the full UNCT and facilitate their work to build joint programmes with joint funding under the SDG MPTF Kenya for environment, climate and green financing. This will include a strong lens on nature-based solutions and the green transition. On a daily base the Specialist will work closely with the French seconded climate finance Expert (post to be recruited in the fall 2022), the SDG Partnership Platform and with actors on climate, environment and with the financial sector in Kenya, and regularly consult the government of Kenya and other partners. The French Expert will work closely with the Environment and Climate Specialist. The Specialist will however have a broader environmental focus on for example nature-based solutions, whereas the Expert will thematically focus on climate financing. Thereby the two posts will complement each other and widen the scope and capacity of the work on both climate and environment under the UNSDCF and the MPTF.

The Specialist will be responsible for the following in the SDG MPTF Kenya in support of the overall UN country team (UNCT):as regards climate and green financing:

Support SDG MPTF Kenya drive for environment, climate and green financing.

• Support to the SDG MPTF Kenya to drive and support conducive financing and institutional mechanisms in Kenya for environment, climate and green financing, to deliver the objectives in the UNSDCF for the “green transition” of Kenya’s economy while preserving eco systems and promote nature-based solutions. The incumbent will work together with the government (both national and county level) and a broad range of stakeholders including the SDG Partnership Platform and strategically explore and support the mutual synergy and coordination on financing and investments.
• Support to the SDG MPTF Kenya to drive and support conducive financing and institutional mechanisms in Kenya for nature-based solutions (NbS).
• Support to the SDG MPTF Kenya and the government of Kenya (both national and county level) to develop products and investment opportunities and secure green, environment and climate financing in Kenya under the UNSDCF. This includes international and national, public and private resources and support partnerships to scale up investments.

Monitor, analyze and advise the SDG MPTF Board, RC and the UNCT on Policy Development

• Monitor, analyze and advise the SDG MPTF Board, RC and the UNCT on the policy development in Kenya as regards environment, climate and green financing as well as nature-based solutions.
• Identify problems and possibilities to be addressed and propose actions.
• Liaise with relevant parties and identify and track follow up actions accordingly.

Strategically Support SDG MPTF Kenya partnerships for the promotion of climate and green financing and nature-based solutions in Kenya.

• Strategically support the SDG MPTF Kenya to liaise with multilateral entities present in Kenya (eg EU Delegation, EIB, ADB, World Bank, Unep and UNHABITAT) and international funds (GCF, GEF etc.) to strategically position and drive environment, climate and green financing and nature-based solutions in Kenya.
• Strategically build networks with a broad range of actors in Kenya for the UNCT important for environment, climate and green financing and nature-based solutions in Kenya (CSOs, Council of Governors, academia, private sector, etc.) and drive the agenda forward.
• Support to drive joint programmes and pooled funding to strategically implement the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework with particular focus on the Strategic Priority “Prosperity and Planet”.

Support the Strategy for Sustainability Management and National Policy Review and Design.

• Support the “Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030” to reduce the reduce the climate and environmental footprint of the UN in Kenya and in UNON.
• Support the UNCT as need be on national policy review and design in Kenya to align with the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement and the implementation of the SDGs.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• The incumbent 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 Fund and the RCO as need be to realize the objectives of the UNSDCF.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have a lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, and develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate the complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

External Relations & Advocacy - Advocacy strategy and implementation

• Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature, Climate and Energy

• Climate Change Adaptation: Public and private finance for adaptation solutions

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature, Climate and Energy

• Climate change Policies: including international climate change regime and application

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature, Climate and Energy

• Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature, Climate and Energy

• Environment: Environmental economics, including valuation, data collection and analysis, SEEA, macro and micro tools and policies

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature, Climate and Energy

• Environmental Governance: Multilateral Environmental Agreements (e.g.CBD and UNCCD)

2030 Agenda: Planet – Gender

• Climate Change and Risk Management of Disasters with a Gender Perspective

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree in economics, climate studies or related field required, preferably with a specialization in environment, climate, and green financing.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• A minimum of five (5) years (with Masters degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor degree) of progressively responsible experience in economics or climate/environment related field. 
• Knowledge of Nature-based Solutions (Nb-S) desirable.
• Experience from the financial sector is an asset.
• Experience Providing policy advice on government level and/or programme management within development finance is desirable.
• Experience in environmental and /or climate finance is an asset.
• Experience from working within the UN is an asset.
• Experience in working in multi-cultural and multi-discipline teams is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluent in oral and written English required.