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. UNEPโs 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.
ContextEstablished in 1972, 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. This UNV position is in UNEPโs Ecosystems Division, Reporting to the Principal Coordinator, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration at the Nairobi duty station. 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. On 1 March 2019, under Resolution 73/284, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2021โ2030 to be the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (hereafter referred to as the UN Decade), with the primary aim being to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. UNEP and FAO, as the lead UN agencies, were mandated to develop the strategy and implement the UN Decade.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Principal Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: โข Providing coordination support to the UN Decade activities, as well as to the current and new Flagships. โข Supporting in the establishment and management of partnerships for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. โข Assuring quality of the secretariat functions to the meetings of the Strategy Group and Executive Board of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund. โข Support to and coordination of the UN Decade Advisory Board meetings and activities. โข Supporting the UN Decade partners in implementing the UN Decade Action Plan. โข Assisting the UN Decade Coordinator (D1) on matters in relation to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund of the UN Decade, bilateral donors as well as other funding sources. โข Liaise internally and externally to support the UN Decade implementation, as well as related UN and UNEPโs processes, in coordination with co-leading agencies and partners. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: โข 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); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. โข 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.
Competencies and valuesโ Accountability โ Adaptability and Flexibility โ Building Trust โ Client Orientation โ Communication โ Integrity โ Planning and Organizing โ Professionalism โ Working in Teams
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. Kenyaโs population of more than 39 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The countryโs GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at a rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenyaโs people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at cost. 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 is serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.