The consultant will support UNEP in the establishment, running and management of the Quadripartite powered Community of Practice on One Health Governance, to support OH knowledge sharing through networking, coordination, and production and dissemination of One Health technical resources. By managing the operational aspects of the CoP, the consultant will support UNEP’s role in the overall project and promote evidence-based and environmentally inclusive One Health approaches and solutions to interconnected health risks at the environment-animal-human interface.

Home Based

12 months

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. UNEP”s Ecosystems Division engages with governments and other partners to develop and promote ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable development. This assignment is in the Nature and Health Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division. The Nature and Health Unit (NAHU) in UNEP’s Ecosystem Division aims to advance the integration of the environment into the One Health approach at international, regional, and national levels. The unit focuses on mainstreaming ecosystem health as a vital determinant of global health and well-being, while also advocating for ecosystem health within its own right. Historically, One Health approaches have overlooked critical linkages between the environment, and human and animal health. NAHU addresses this gap by promoting a more holistic perspective that jointly promotes the health of people, animals, and our shared environment. This integrated approach delivers multifaceted benefits, spanning economic, social, and ecological dimensions, in addition to health and wellbeing, and ensuring that environmental considerations are effectively embedded within both public health and veterinary frameworks. NAHU aims to strengthen the integration of environmental considerations in One Health approaches via two main vehicles: UNEP’s role as member of the Quadripartite Collaboration on One Health, and through UNEP’s role as Secretariat of the Nature4Health initiative. These initiatives encompass global, regional, and national interventions, with the aim of stimulating systemic One Health approaches that fully incorporate environmental dimensions. Through these initiatives, NAHU contributes to the work of the Ecosystem Division by fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, enhancing UNEP’s capacity to reduce health risks emerging from ecosystem degradation. The knowledge needed for the advancement of OH requires collaboration and partnerships across sectors, from the whole of society, including knowledge producers such as academic institutions and knowledge brokers. As part of this effort, UNEP in 2025, together with the Quadripartite partners, jointly set up a new Community of Practice on One Health Governance under the One Health Knowledge Nexus (OHKN). The vision for the Community of Practice on One Health Governance is to create a space where people can learn from each other and collate, share, exchange, generate, access, critique, enhance, review and refine knowledge and evidence on One Health governance. Under the supervision of the Head of the Nature and Health Unit, the consultant will undertake the following assignments: 1. Support the design and implementation of Community of Practice (CoP) activities, including organizing regular webinars aligned with members’ interests and learning needs through a co-design and co-creation process with Quadripartite partners. 2. Assist in the coordination of activities with Quadripartite partners to ensure effective collaboration and alignment of CoP initiatives. 3. Contribute to the definition and implementation of governance modalities for the Quadripartite CoP on Governance, including the development of collaboration structures between Quadripartite organizations to strengthen inter-CoP connectivity and cooperation. 4. Facilitate linkages between the Quadripartite CoP and UNEP’s relevant areas of work, identify opportunities for collaboration, and support the promotion and dissemination of CoP activities and outputs through UNEP networks and communication channels. 5. Support the integration of the CoP with existing Quadripartite knowledge networks, learning platforms, and other relevant initiatives, to foster the development of connected knowledge networks. 6. Assist in the design and implementation of monitoring activities to assess the impact and uptake of knowledge and evidence generated by the CoP.

An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in One Health, Environmental Science, Environmental Governance, Ecosystem Health, Programme Management and One Health or other fields directly relevant to One Health. is required. A Minimum of 5 years of experience in project or project management, with at least three years in a leadership role overseeing complex programs, all within the last eight years is required. Within the 5 years, at least 3 years of experience working in the One Health field, ideally in One Health governance, with demonstrated experience in managing or coordinating communities of practice (CoPs) or knowledge networks, ideally in the environment or One Health domain is required. Proven track record of facilitating inter-agency collaboration or multi-stakeholder partnerships, with experience in communication strategies, including knowledge dissemination, internal and external stakeholder engagement, and promoting organizational initiatives across digital channels is required. Experience linking knowledge platforms, learning systems, or managing knowledge-sharing initiatives across sectors (e.g., environment, health, agriculture) is desirable. Familiarity with UN system operations, procedures, and mandates related to environment and health, familiarity with the Quadripartite collaboration on One Health and prior engagement with developing country contexts or support to countries implementing One Health approaches is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.​​

Not available.

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.