Organization Mission

Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the 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’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.

Context

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global 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”s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) – now known as the Source to Sea Pollution Unit – was created as a unique intergovernmental mechanism to counter the issue of land-based pollution. The GPA was adopted by 108 Governments, and the European Commission at an intergovernmental conference convened in Washington, D.C., in 1995. The parties set as their common goal sustained and effective action to deal with all land-based impacts upon the marine environment, specifically those resulting from sewage, persistent organic pollutants, radioactive substances, heavy metals, oils (hydrocarbons), nutrients, sediment mobilization, litter, and physical alteration and destruction of habitat. Since 2012, marine litter, nutrient management, and wastewater have been high-lighted as priority source categories to be addressed, and the Unit is now also focusing on ad-dressing sand extraction and destruction of habitat.

The implementation of the GPA – now known as the Source to Sea Pollution Unit – is primarily the task of governments in close partnership with all stakeholders, including international and public organizations, local communities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. The GPA, together with its partners and through the three global partnerships on marine litter, nutrient, and wastewater management, is facilitating and assisting governments in their tasks.

The candidate will be part of the Source to Sea Pollution Unit and its wastewater team.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer and the Project Management Officer at UNEP, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
· Support the management cycle (formulation, implementation, and closure) of projects focusing on wastewater management and sanitation, and particularly on project on wastewater surveillance for Africa.
· Supporting the coordination of the Global Wastewater Initiative (GWWI).
· Support activities aimed at capacity-building and awareness-raising such as the planning and organization of webinars and workshops.
· Support the development of publications, papers, and provide written inputs to relevant documents.
· Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Required Skills and Experience

Environmental engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, International Relations.
· 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the field of environment.
· Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
· Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
· Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
· Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
· Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Ex-cel, Word, etc.) and e-mail/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
· Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
· Sound security awareness.
· Have affinity with or interest in wastewater management and sanitation, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Core Competencies

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Client Orientation
Commitment and Motivation
Communication
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Judgement and Decision-making
Knowledge Sharing
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Technological Awareness
Working in Teams

Living Conditions

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties.
Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is mod-est. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.