Civil Society Engagement Assistant

Mission and objectivesSince 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.

ContextThe 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. UNEP values the importance of engaging Major Groups other Stakeholders as partners and appreciates the perspectives they bring to the table, valuable research and advocacy functions they perform and their role in helping foster long-term, broad-based support for UNEP’s mission. Intergovernmental decisions will have stronger and broader recognition and support by the public if governments take Major Groups and other Stakeholders views into account as early as possible in policy-making and decision-making processes. Major Groups and other Stakeholders also play a direct role in the formation of policy as researchers, think-tanks, and watchdogs, or through advocacy. The volunteer will support the Civil Society Unit based in the Governance Affairs Office through organizing meetings, preparing documents and communicating with major groups and stakeholders. In the process, the volunteer will develop a strong understanding of global environmental governance and intergovernmental negotiation processes and participatory processes for major groups and stakeholders of civil society in environmental policy development and processes.

Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Associate Programme Management Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support accreditation application processing: • Review and process accreditation applications from various Major Groups and Stakeholders, ensuring all required documentation is complete and accurate. • Maintain an organized and up-to-date database of accredited stakeholders, including contact information and relevant details. • Communicate with applicants to provide updates on the status of their applications and request any additional information needed. • Ensure compliance with accreditation policies and guidelines, addressing any issues or discrepancies that arise during the application process. 2. Support Major Groups and Stakeholders engagement in UNEA, Committee of Permanent Representatives and other relevant UNEP meetings: • Facilitate and coordinate the active participation of Major Groups and Stakeholders in Committee of Permanent Representatives meetings, UNEA, UNEP, GMGSF, MSD and monthly MGFC-RF meetings. • Ensure timely dissemination of meeting agendas, background documents, and other relevant materials to all stakeholders. • Provide logistical support for the participation of stakeholders, including setting up meeting spaces, and other services when needed. • Take detailed notes during meetings and prepare comprehensive summaries and re-ports for dissemination to stakeholders and internal teams upon request. 3. Support in any communication-related matters on substance: website updates/ email communication to stakeholders: • Provide insights on updates for the Civil Society Unit’s website with the latest news, events, and resources related to Major Groups and Stakeholder engagement. • Draft and distribute email communications to stakeholders, including newsletters, event invitations, and important announcements, ensuring clarity and professional-ism. • Respond to inquiries from stakeholders promptly and accurately, maintaining a high level of customer service and engagement. 4. Follow up activities/briefings and conferences related to Major Groups and Stakeholder engagement: • Organize and conduct follow-up activities, including pre-meeting briefings and de-briefings, to ensure continuous engagement with Major Groups and Stakeholders during events. • Distribute relevant materials and reports from these activities to maintain ongoing communication and transparency. 5. Assist in the registration process and handling of applying participants to meetings: • Coordinate with team members to provide necessary information and support to reg-istered participants. • Assist in addressing any issues or concerns from participants regarding the registra-tion process, providing timely and effective solutions. • Assist in preparing and distributing registration materials, such as badges and infor-mation packets, to participants upon their arrival. 6. Prepare questionnaires, surveys etc. in their design and online mode and provide analysis of outputs and responses: • Design and develop comprehensive questionnaires and surveys to gather feedback and insights from Major Groups and Stakeholders. • Utilize online survey tools and platforms to distribute and collect responses, ensur-ing user-friendly access and participation. • Analyze survey data and responses to identify trends, areas for improvement, and key stakeholder concerns. 7. Data Analysis, Management and Reporting: • Maintain comprehensive databases of stakeholders, participants, and accredited or-ganizations, ensuring data accuracy and security. • Conduct data analysis to identify and review active and inactive accredited organiza-tions. 8. Capacity Building and Support: • Develop and facilitate capacity-building programs for stakeholders to strengthen their participation in UNEP and UNEA process. • Provide ongoing support to stakeholders, helping them navigate the accreditation process and effectively engage in UNEA and UNEP-related activities. 9. Support internal team meetings and calls with the MGFC • Send out meeting invitations for weekly team meetings and monthly MGFC meet-ings. • Ensure that an agenda is available for each meeting i.e. team meeting and MGFC meeting. • Take stakeholder attendance at the CPR meetings.

Competencies and valuesCommunication Professionalism Technological Awareness

Living conditions and remarksThe Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring 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 modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.