Careers at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare an inception report and methodology for carrying out the Mid-Term Review (MTR) for the UNEP Programme of Work project ‘Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source-to-sea.
• Prepare objectives and scope of MTR (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria).
• Develop survey questionnaire, guiding questions for interviews and focus group discussions, and evaluation criteria for assessing programmes (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria)
• Prepare inception report refining the scope of the MTR, outlining the methodologies, and defining the workplan for the MTR
• Prepare MTR Preliminary findings report and presentation
• Prepare Draft MTR report - Prepare a draft MTR, based on the methodologies developed and including reviews of project progress and impact, analysis of management and strategy effectiveness, documentation of lessons learned, and recommendations for improvements (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria).
• Adhere to UNEP standard review processes, working closely with the UNEP Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit Team.
• Prepare Final MTR report - Address review comments by UNEP Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit Team.
• Final MTR accepted by UNEP Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit Team (using UNEP standard evaluation criteria).

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in environmental sciences, engineering, economy, international development, or other relevant natural sciences area is required.
• A first-level university degree with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• 2 years experience in conducting mid-term review/evaluation for UN Agencies of multi-country projects or programmes is required.
• Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams is required 2 years of experience in working on projects related to wastewater, nutrient pollution or sand extraction is highly desirable.
• A comprehensive understanding of key issues related to land-based sources of pollution/degradation, such as wastewater, nutrients, Physica alteration and Destruction of Habitats (PADH); and source-to-sea approach is desirable.
• Ability to plan, organize, execute, and report on tasks while effectively managing pressure and meeting tight deadlines is desirable
• Experience in evaluating large, regional, or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach is required Demonstrate ambition as a systems-thinker through the following competencies: excellent research skills, writing skills, communication, computer literacy, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement is desirable.

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Key Duties and Responsibilities

•  Defining institutional hosting arrangements and partnership roles Based on the preferred institutional model identified in Phase I, the consultant will support the detailed design of the institutional hosting and partnership arrangements.
• This will include clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the host institution, contributing partners, and coordination mechanisms across the Accelerator. The consultant will help develop supporting documentation such as institutional role descriptions, partnership contribution frameworks and draft Terms of Reference for the host institution and key partnership functions.
• Development of structured question frameworks and briefing materials to guide initial discussions with potential host institutions.
• Preparation of summary documentation of outcomes from exploratory discussions with potential hosts.
• Development of detailed question sets and analytical frameworks to guide in-depth consultations with shortlisted hosting institutions.
• Review of relevant institutional documentation and preparation of analytical notes and recommendations related to possible hosting transitions.
• Facilitation of consultations and workshops with partners to discuss hosting arrangements and collaboration modalities.
• Development of draft collaboration frameworks and cooperation agreements between the host institution and contributing partners.
• Participation in relevant meetings and provision of ongoing advisory support to the co-chairs and GCU team.
• Developing operational structures and Terms of Reference The consultant will support the preparation of detailed operational documentation required to implement the institutional model.
• This includes developing Terms of Reference for key structures and functions (e.g., the Global Coordination Unit, facilitator mechanisms, and other operational components), as well as outlining operational action plans.
• The work will also include the preparation of organizational charts, role and responsibility matrices, and supporting guidance to clarify accountability, reporting lines, and coordination processes across the Accelerator.
• Prepare a transition plan for the GCU to the new hosts
• Development of Terms of Reference for leadership and key secretariat positions,
• Support to recruitment-related processes, including the preparation of shortlists of potential candidates.
• Preparation of an action plan outlining next steps for leadership transition within the secretariat.
• Development of an action plan for potential consolidation or transition to a single physical office, where applicable.
• Advisory support for the restructuring of the Global Coordination Unit, in line with the agreed institutional model
• Development of updated organizational charts and role matrices clarifying responsibilities, reporting lines, and coordination functions.
• Participation in meetings and provision of ongoing advisory support to the co-chairs and GCU team.
• Designing and formalizing governance structures Building on the governance analysis conducted in the previous phase, the consultant will support the design and formalization of a simplified and effective governance architecture.
• This will include defining the structure, mandates, and membership of governance bodies, clarifying decision-making processes and oversight functions, and developing Terms of Reference for the relevant governance bodies.
• The work will aim to ensure that the governance model remains inclusive while improving efficiency, transparency, and strategic direction for the Accelerator.
• Preparation of facilitation plans and agendas for Steering Committee meetings and other governance-related meetings, including potential sub-committees.
• Development of a Terms of Reference for the Co-Chair role, reflecting lessons learned and evolving governance needs.
• Review and adaptation of the Terms of Reference for the Steering Committee to align with the updated governance framework.
• Development of Terms of Reference and guidance documents for potential sub-committees or advisory groups where relevant.
• Participation in governance meetings and provision of ongoing advisory support to the co-chairs and GCU team.
• Each output must be developed through extensive consultation with the GCU, co-chairs, facilitators, host entities and members of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and aligned with ongoing work on resource mobilization to ensure integration and complementarity.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree in environmental sciences or a related discipline is required.
• A first-level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in organizational development, institutional governance, or strategy consulting is required.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations and synthesize diverse viewpoints is required.
• Understanding of UN systems, environmental governance, or biodiversity-related frameworks is required.
• Proven track record in designing governance frameworks and business models for complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives is required.

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Duties and Responsibilities

• Organizational Setting: The United Nations Environment Programme 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. 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 seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) will be held from 19 to 30 October 2026, Yerevan, Armenia under the slogan of “Taking action for nature”. UNEP has provided a dedicated support to Armenia in the lead-up to the CBD COP17 in 2025 through the financial support from the China Trust Fund Project on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Implementation. As key outcome of this support, the comprehensive needs assessment to support Armenia’s preparation for CBD COP 17 was carried out. The assessment identified several gaps where UNEP can offer targeted technical support in organizing the country-led CBD COP17.
• Building on this work, there is a strong need to continuously provide technical expertise to the Ministry of Environment Armenia directly to advance the content and programme part of CBD COP17. UNEP Ecosystems Division will lead this technical support, working in coordination with other UNEP Divisions, Regional Office for Europe, CBD Secretariat, and UN Residential Coordination Office in Armenia along with ongoing initiatives.
• The Consultant (Technical Advisor for the CBD COP17) will be embedded in the Ministry of Environment of Armenia to coordinate this technical support in collaboration with the UNEP Ecosystems Division and relevant stakeholders and will contribute to the effective preparation and successful organization of the CBD COP17. The position will be Part Time and home based.
• The Technical Advisor for the CBD COP17 will report to the Head, Nature Frameworks Support Unit, Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division, with day-to-day collaboration with Programme Management Officer.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree in biodiversity conservation, environmental science, international development, political science, social science or closely related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in biodiversity and environment at the national, regional, or global levels is required.
• Work experience related to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is an advantage.
• Work experience in biodiversity conservation in Armenia is an advantage.
• Work experience in the United Nations system and/or the Intergovernmental Organizations with proven experience in multicultural work environments is an advantage.
• Work experience in communication and outreach campaigns is an advantage.

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Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions.
• Prepares supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
• Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.
• Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Monitors integrity of various financial databases.
• Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued.
• Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.
• Periodic reconciliation of accounts in UMOJA B. Treasury:
• Review incoming payment instructions regarding banking details and sources of funds.
• Prepare payments for final disbursement by Cashier.
• Dispatches payment instructions to UNON Treasury and provides remittance advices to Executing Agencies.
• Notify payees on status of payments.
• Assist staff members, consultants, executing agencies, the GEF Secretariat and the GEF Coordination Office, UNEP regarding queries on payment/funding issues.
• Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.
• Maintain and keep up-to-date files.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned

Qualifications/special skills

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Qualification in an administrative, accounting or finance-related subject is desirable.
• A professional qualification in an accounting or a finance-related subject, such as Certified Public Account (CPA) or equivalent is desirable.
• Minimum of five years of experience in Administration/ Finance, Budget, Accounting or related area is required.
• The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced by two (2) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree
• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) such as UMOJA is required;
• Experience in the budgeting process, analyzing financial data and donor reporting is required
• Experience in Global Environment Facility (GEF) project/grant management, budgeting, accounting, and financial management is required.
• Experience in the UN (or similar international organization) financial rules and regulations and the IPSAS accounting standards is desirable.
• Work experience of one (1) year or more in data analytics or related area is desirable