3 jobs in UN Environment Programme
Director of the Office of Science
Posted today
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Job Description
The
Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science
provides strategic coordination of science advice that informs UNEP's decisions, policies, interventions, and publications. Supported by the Office of Science, the Chief Scientist ensures timely, scientifically credible, and policy-relevant environmental assessments, data, analytics, and information to guide decision-making and sustainable development planning. The Office monitors, analyzes, and reports on the state of the global environment, assesses policies and trends, supports early warning services on emerging threats, and spearheads UN-wide reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
Position Overview
This position is located in the Office of Science at the UNEP Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will be a member of the UNEP Senior Management Team (SMT) and reports to the Executive Director.
Key Responsibilities
Programme and Strategic Leadership
- Formulate and implement the Office's work programme, determine priorities, and allocate resources to ensure timely delivery of outputs and results
- Oversee activities contributing to UNEP's Programme of Work and Medium-Term Strategy, including budget preparation, execution, and monitoring; assign and monitor performance parameters and indicators
- Coordinate Office activities with other UNEP divisions, UN organizations, donors, and agencies; work closely with Regional Offices to support UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams
- Coordinate and oversee preparation of reports for donors, UNEP Environment Assembly, intergovernmental bodies, and scientific forums
Staff Management and Capacity Building
- Manage, guide, and train staff; foster teamwork and effective communication within the Office and across UNEP
- Chair meetings, seminars, and conferences; represent UNEP at international, regional, and inter-agency meetings
- Advise on programmatic and substantive issues; report on budget and programme performance to SMT and intergovernmental bodies
Science Leadership and Advisory
- Serve as UNEP's primary science advisor; set scientific priorities and advise on emerging issues
- Ensure credibility and quality of data, information, knowledge, and products, aligned with UNEP goals
- Lead foresight, analysis, and intelligence initiatives; deliver research papers, updates, and syntheses on emerging scientific issues to SMT and the organization
- Ensure engagement across UNEP offices for project co-design, accountability, and delivery of results within the Office's mandate
Other Duties
- Perform other relevant duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in applied sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, environmental engineering, geography, or environmental health
- Experience in programme and organizational management (human resources, budgeting, legal matters) at senior levels in government, UN or intergovernmental entities, universities, research institutions, or NGOs
- Experience in environmental policy analysis, formulation, implementation, or providing technical assistance to policymakers
- Senior-level management and leadership experience required
- Experience in the science-policy interface is desirable
- Publication record in peer-reviewed scientific articles and papers is desirable
- Advanced university degree (Master's, PhD, or equivalent) in earth sciences (geology, ecology, geography, hydrology, atmospheric science, etc.), environmental sciences, biology, environmental management, engineering, or related fields is required. A first-level degree plus two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. PhD in environmental or earth sciences is desirable
Languages
- English is required;
Application Deadline:
5 November
Associate Programme Officer
Posted today
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Job Description
Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
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. UNEP is one of three original, founding implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). UNEP and the GEF partners help developing countries and those with economies in transition to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits in six focal areas: biological diversity, climate change (both mitigation and adaptation), international waters, chemicals and wastes management and, land degradation. The Policy and Programme Division (PPD) is a center of excellence for strategic guidance and programmatic policy for UNEP. PPD enables UNEP's strategic and programmatic direction, ensuring organization-wide coherence and effectiveness in implementation and continuous improvement. The UNEP GEF Coordination Unit plays a central role in UNEP's GEF-related activities. Its core functions include formulating and reviewing UNEP's policies and strategies for GEF operations, preparing the UNEP/GEF Business Plan, and providing guidance to project proposers on eligibility, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it oversees GEF activity administration within UNEP, serves as UNEP's GEF focal point. This position is located in the Global Environment Facility Coordination Unit of the Policy and Programme Division (PPD) at the Nairobi Duty Station. Under the overall supervision of the GEF Coordinator, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:
Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the GEF Secretariat and the UNEP Communication Division, assists in coordinating and providing strategic input on UNEP-GEF communication at the corporate and portfolio level, including strategy, branding and communication outputs.
- Supports in coordinating with GEF task managers across UNEP to develop and implement a communications strategy to improve visibility of the UNEP-GEF portfolio of projects.
- Drafts, edits and produces multimedia content on results of UNEP-GEF initiatives for corporate UNEP and GEF digital platforms, including web and social media.
- Supports in producing and ensuring maximum dissemination and impact of stories, press releases and multimedia content on UNEP-GEF initiatives and priorities.
- Supports in improving the UNEP-GEF online presence, including the UNEP corporate website and project and programme sites.
- Facilitates training on communication best practices to UNEP-GEF portfolio and project staff, ensuring compliance with UNEP and GEF policies.
- Supports in the coordination and organization of communication activities for key events, such as the GEF Assembly, The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), Multilateral Environmental Agreement Conferences of Parties (COPs) and other targeted regional and international events.
- Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and drafts conclusions.
- Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, UNEP annual reports, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to GEF-related publications.
- Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
- Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
- Planning & 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; 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Journalism, Communication, International Relations, Law, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
Work Experience
- A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in communications in Climate, Biodiversity Conservation, Chemicals, Pollution and Waste is required. A minimum of two (2) years' experience in producing and managing the production of written and multimedia content on environmental or development projects is required. Experience working with the Global Environment Facility and/or other multilateral environmental or development funds is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable (none if successful YPP or P-1 with a related degree).
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.
Application instructions
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Associate Programme Management Officer
Posted today
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Job Description
Under the direct supervision of the
Head of the Nature Frameworks Support Unit
and the
NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Global Coordinator
, the UN Volunteer will support the following areas:
Facilitator Programme
Stakeholder engagement:
liaise with facilitators, partners, and internal staff; track deadlines and commitments.- Research and knowledge products:
gather, analyze, and present information; contribute to reports and publications. - Data management:
collect and maintain facilitator data and databases. - Operational support:
follow up on action items; prepare briefing materials and meeting notes. - Workshop and consultation support:
provide administrative and logistical assistance, including travel arrangements, documentation, and follow-up. Monitoring and reporting:
track progress against performance indicators in UNEP's Integrated Planning, Monitoring and Reporting (IPMR) system.UNEP & NBSAP Accelerator Partnership
Support for African Francophone countries:
promote membership, ensure a whole-of-society/government approach to NBSAP implementation, and support project portfolio development through the Matchmaking Mechanism.- Coordination support:
organize meetings, draft meeting notes, and liaise across NFSU, UNEP, and GCU. - Programme delivery:
ensure compliance with UNEP administrative and procurement procedures. - Event planning:
support delivery of events, including agendas, outreach, and logistics. Communications:
draft and edit briefing notes, presentations, and reports on partnership activities.UNV-Specific Contributions
Strengthen understanding of volunteerism by engaging in UNV activities (e.g., International Volunteer Day).
- Explore and build on local and traditional forms of volunteerism in the host country.
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action undertaken and participate in reflection activities.
- Contribute articles and write-ups for UNV publications, newsletters, or websites.
- Support the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived volunteers.
- Promote the use of online volunteering platforms by individuals and organizations whenever possible.
Eligibility Criteria
Age:
18–80
Nationality:
Must be a national of a country other than the duty station
Experience required:
3 years minimum
Assignment Requirements
Languages:
- English: Fluent (required)
- French: Working knowledge (required)
Education:
- Master's degree in International Relations, International Law, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or a related field (required).