Job Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP

 Result of Service

The aim of this role would be to work under the supervision of the Chief of the Unit around the Formal and Non-Formal Education agenda to compensate for the investment of time needed for UNEA and other key advocacy moments in 2021.

Work Location

Preferred in Nairobi, Kenya but virtual working will be considered

Expected duration

The consultant should be available to work for 6 months - potentially part-time - .

Duties and Responsibilities

Organization Setting: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its 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.

This role is required in the Youth, Education and Advocacy Team to provide services on the delivery of the Programme of Work. This role would be to offer a broad range of requirements across the Ecosystems division, specifically focusing on the Education aspects and the delivery of the programme.

The consultant will report to the Chief, Youth, Education & Advocacy Unit, Ecosystems Division

Duties, responsibilities

Terms of reference / Main responsibilities:

• Initiate actions covering the Formal Education programme: 60% of time
  • University engagement: With others in the team, support the University engagement in projects ranging from decarbonizing the sector, supporting the roll out of the Normative Framework and other tasks as / when required.
  • Tags
  • environmental policy
  • fundraising
  • international relations
  • political science
  • Research and Advocacy: Working with team members to explore new research and advocacy opportunities and take them forward as / when required on this agenda.
• Provides expert guidance and coordination for Playing for the Planet agenda: 30% of time.
  • Playing for the Planet is looking to scale up its reach and support and requires additional technical support around briefings for the industry, outreach and ensuring the KPIs for 2021 are met.
• Provides substantive support to consultative meetings and initiatives to the Chief of the Unit on other agendas as / when required: 10% of time
  • Fundraising: Review the current fundraising for the Unit and make recommendations on how this could be extended and deepened with other key partners.
  • New opportunities and initiatives: Explore new opportunities and initiatives on a case by case basis as they arise.

2022 - 2024 Project Document: Support the Chief of the Unit / other team members in designing a new project document to be taken forward post 2021

Qualifications/special skills

• Competencies: Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Uses time efficiently.
• Communication: Speaks and write clearly and effectively; Listen to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks big and bold and if has a strong idea, takes it through to impact; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• Academic Qualifications: Master's degree in communications, international relations, political science or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience: Minimum five years of work experience in communications or related fields.
• Language: Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

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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Result of Service

The purpose of the consultancy is the preparation of a report on the text of the Protocol concerning protected areas and wild fauna and flora of the Eastern African region by: i. elaborating the justification for amendments to the protocol including the why and the how of amending specific articles;

ii. Reviewing latest scientific reports on the status of critical habitats, species, and ecosystems on the Western Indian Ocean as the basis for proposed amendments of the Protocol and its annexes. These include the Marine Protected Areas Outlook, Critical Habitats Outlook, Sharks and Rays Review Report, among others;

iii. highlighting specific articles for review, updating or amendment in line with global instruments including CITES, CBD, CMS and ongoing discussions on protected areas, wild fauna and wild flora, Sustainable Development Goals, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, CBD post 2020 processes, the Paris Agreement, African Union Agenda 2063, including biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction;

iv. reviewing and amending the listing in the annexes of the Protocol, based on scientific rationale and including alien species category;

v. revamping the protocol to a practical and modern instrument (i.e. include aspects such as use of species as indicators of ecosystem health, use of management options, ecosystem-based management etc.).

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

The duration of the contract is 8 months.

Duties and

Responsibilities

INTRODUCTION

The programme on capacity building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries results from a partnership between the European Commission (EC), the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP secretariat), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The aim of the programme is to empower key stakeholders to address environmental challenges and to reap the benefits of improved environmental management at the national and regional level. In the context of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean region (Nairobi Convention), Phase III of the ACP MEAs Programme aims at better management of coasts and oceans, enhancing ocean governance and effective implementation of the Convention. The programme will support the strengthening of the governance framework of the Nairobi Convention and its associated protocols, the development of a regionally representative network of marine protected areas and enhance measures for reducing the influx of waste entering the marine environment.

With support from the project on Enforcing Environmental Treaties in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries- ACP-MEAs III, the Secretariat for the Nairobi Convention is updating its legal and implementation framework in line with emerging environmental issues, and ongoing regional and global processes. More specifically, the Secretariat is undertaking a review of the Protocol concerning protected areas and wild fauna and flora of the Eastern African region to the 2010 Amended Nairobi Convention. This initiative is in response to the intensification of pressures resulting from both anthropogenic and natural factors including over-exploitation of natural resources, conversion of coastal habitats for other uses such as agriculture, aquaculture, port/harbor expansion or urban development and climate change that have led to the degradation of coastal and marine biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean region. Additionally, a review of the Protocol is needed to incorporate recent and ongoing global biodiversity commitments and processes.

For this purpose, the Nairobi Convention Secretariat is seeking the services of an experienced and qualified legal expert to: (i) review the Protocol concerning protected areas and wild fauna and flora of the Eastern African region (the Protocol) in line with decision CP9/5.1 of the Ninth Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP9) in which Contracting Parties agreed to initiate the process of amending the Protocol and the annexes thereto in line with the provisions of the Convention; (ii) provide legal support to Contracting Parties of the Nairobi Convention during regional consultations on the amendment of the Protocol in line with decision CP9/5.2 in which Contracting Parties requested the Secretariat in collaboration with partners, to organize consultations and support the process of amending the Protocol and the annexes thereto, and to report thereon to the next Conference of Parties.

A consultancy contract will be awarded to a qualified legal expert with regional experience in the development and implementation of environmental legal agreements in the coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean region as well as excellent policy and legal analysis and drafting skills. The legal expert (hereinafter referred to as 'Consultant') will be required to work according to detailed Terms of Reference contained in the following sections.

SCOPE

The amendment of the Protocol is being developed pursuant to decision CP 9/5 of COP9. The amendments to the Protocol and its annexes will aim to strengthen the legal framework of the Protocol to a more effective regime for biodiversity conservation, and management of marine and coastal ecosystems across sectors and national boundaries to achieve Ecosystem Based Management and sustainable development. The amendments will also aim to provide a stronger framework for addressing current and emerging threats to the marine and coastal environment of the Western Indian Ocean region.

The threats include anthropogenic pressures such as growing intensity of human settlements and unsustainable socioeconomic activities, natural disasters and climate change, and lack of adequate coordination of various sectors that have contributed to the haphazard coastal development, habitat degradation and declining ecosystem services. The review of the Protocol and its annexes shall be science-informed and take into account the latest scientific information available in the region including the Marine Protected Areas Outlook, Critical Habitats Outlook, Sharks and Rays Review Report and also involve all relevant stakeholders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant will be under the direct supervision of the Head of the Secretariat for the Nairobi Convention. The consultant will undertake the following activities:

• Provide support to the Nairobi Convention Secretariat on the amendment of the Protocol concerning protected areas and wild fauna and flora of the Eastern African region and its annexes by: a) Analyzing the text and the annexes of the Protocol concerning protected areas and wild fauna and flora of the Eastern African region with a view to identify new and emerging environmental issues as well as ongoing global and regional discussions that should be taken into account in the review of the Protocol;
•  Highlighting areas and articles that require revision, updating and/or amendment, as well as propose other areas and issues that may be considered in order for the protocol to be a more modern and practical instrument. The review of articles to be amended shall be guided by ongoing policy and political processes including the Sustainable Development Goals, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, CBD post 2020 processes, advances in blue economy and ocean governance, Paris Agreement, African Union Agenda 2063, and negotiations and processes on biodiversity conservation in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) ;
• Reviewing the annexes taking into consideration input of scientists in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and synthesis reports on the species listed in the annexes of the Protocol. The review of annexes shall be guided by available scientific information in the Western Indian Ocean region including the Marine Protected Areas Outlook, Critical Habitats Outlook, Sharks and Rays Review Report, Region State of Coast Report in the Western Indian Ocean Region, and any other relevant reports and ongoing political and policy processes.
• Preparing an analysis/synthesis report on the justification of amending the Protocol and its annexes by incorporating the findings of (a) to (c) above.

Qualifications/special skills

• Academic Qualifications: Postgraduate degree in environmental law.
• Experience: A minimum 5 years of experience is required in legislation, drafting and legislative procedures related to biodiversity at national and regional level (especially in the Western Indian Ocean region), development and negotiation processes of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) relevant to biodiversity. Experience as presenter and moderator of MEA related technical and negotiation meetings of Parties would be desirable. Outstanding Interpersonal skills in moderating complex issues in politically challenging international environments and computer literacy (Microsoft Office, Internet) in preparation and delivery of presentations and efficient information materials is desirable. Ability to travel to and work in all Nairobi Convention countries is an advantage.
• Language: English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written knowledge of English is required.

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Result of Service

Under the general supervision of the Mr. Rob De Jong, the Head of the Sustainable Mobility Unit and day to day supervision of the Unit's administrative staff, the individual contractor will support the Unit in the accomplishment of its programme of work via successful processing of procurement and other administrative requests of the unit.

Expected duration

The contract will be for 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. Its 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.

The overall objective of the Economy Division of UN Environment is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The UN Environment's Sustainable Mobility Unit (https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/transport) requires additional personnel to assist the administrative staff with procurement and other administrative related tasks for newly established global projects.

• The individual contractor will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Unit (Mr. Rob de Jong). The individual contractor is expected to work closely with the administrative team on the full range of administrative tasks: 1.Perform general administrative tasks (e.g. leave and attendance recording, arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, etc.), to include preparing and/or processing administrative requests/documents (e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests, contracts, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc.).
• Monitor processes and schedules related the unit's outputs, products, tasks, etc.; where applicable, assists in the verification of receipt and accuracy of requisite documents, approvals, signatures, etc. to ensure compliance with relevant legal, financial and other requirements.
• Provide general office assistance; responds to information requests and inquiries, reviews incoming correspondence; assists in coordination of correspondence by drafting letters; follow up with clients to ensure that action is undertaken within the target timelines; sets up and maintains files/records.
• Assist with travel, procurement and human resources related tasks like conducting follow up with UNON conference services on meeting rooms availability, printing materials and publications for various meetings; make travel arrangements for meeting participants through Umoja and assist in travel claims for participants, as well as other logistical arrangements.
• Proofread documents and edit texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style, and for adherence to established standards for format.
• Provides secretarial, administrative and logistics support to meetings, boards, committees, conferences, etc.
• Perform data entry and extraction functions.
• Maintains files (both paper and electronic) and databases for work unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

• Academic Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in procurement is required.
• Experience: Two years work experience in general office support or related area is required. Experience in procurement is an added advantage. Experience working on administration in an international organization is desirable.
• Language: Excellent written and oral communication in English is required.