Current Openings at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the Programme Management Officer, responsible for the project: “Multi-Country Mountain Flagship” under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the consultant shall carry out the following activities:
• Conduct an inception phase including a review of project background documents (WWF corridor study, GVTC Transboundary Strategic Plan, UN Decade programme materials, national restoration strategies etc.), and submit an Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Synthesize key inputs and assessments to align restoration needs across the GVL with broader policy frameworks and existing data. Deliver a summary mapping of priority themes, gaps, and opportunities.
•  Hold consultations with key stakeholders, including UNEP, WWF, GVTC, RDB, UWA, and relevant community representatives, to validate proposed priority restoration sites and thematic areas.
• Identify and prioritize investment opportunities for restoration interventions across the Greater Virunga Landscape, including degraded corridors, buffer zones, and community-managed lands.
• Estimate financial costs and co-benefits of proposed interventions, including ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation value, and social/climate benefits.
• Conduct a donor and financing landscape review to identify aligned funding windows, donors, and investment mechanisms. Deliver a matrix of opportunities and recommendations for engagement.
• Package the identified interventions into coherent investment bundles, including large-scale and small-scale restoration packages tailored for different funders. Develop associated theories of change, outcomes, and implementation risks.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced University degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Economics, Ecology, or related fields is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of work experience in one or more of the following is required: conservation financing, ecosystem restoration planning and investment, environmental project design for multilateral or bilateral donors, development of donor engagement strategies.
• Resource mobilization experience that encompasses past engagement with donors, development banks or philanthropic foundations is required.
• Demonstrated track record in preparing successful resource mobilization materials such as investment prospectuses, fundraising pitches, donor proposals or funding applications is desirable.

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Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Content Development and Communication Coordination Functions
• Develop and implement a communications strategy aligned with the GEF IW strategy and UNEP’s MTS pillars: Climate Action, Nature Action, and Pollution Action.
• Ensure communication outputs adhere to UNEP and GEF visibility policies and branding guidelines.
• Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of communication materials showcasing the results, impacts, and stories from UNEP-GEF IW projects
• Produce high-quality communication materials, including press releases, human-interest stories, factsheets, technical highlights and multimedia content in collaboration with Task Managers and UNEP-GEF IW project-level communications focal point
• Web and Digital Communications
• Regularly update and maintain content on the UNEP-GEF International Waters web pages.
• Disseminate success stories, publications, and project results through UNEP corporate and partner digital platforms.
•  Event and Outreach Support
• Plan communication around key events such as UNEA, IW Conferences, MEA Conference of Parties (COPs) and regional workshops.
• Draft background notes, concept notes and briefing materials for media engagement.
• Assist in documenting and preparing reports, event summaries and visual highlights. 

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent)in communications, journalism, environmental sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, or media relations, preferably within an international organization is required.
• At least progressive responsible experience in communication, preferably with UNEP-GEF is required Demonstrated experience in multimedia content production, website management, and provision of strategic communications input on Nature Action, Climate Action and Chemicals and Pollution Action is required Familiarity with GEF programming directions including the evolving GEF 9, programming cycles, reporting processes, and communication/visibility requirements is desirable. Previous experience is producing/managing social media is desirable.