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.
ContextThe 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. UN Environment's 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. The Private Sector Unit of the Industry and Economy Division (IED) serves as the central coordinating hub for UNEPโs engagement with private sector entities and business coalitions. Our primary objective is to ensure that interactions with the private sector are impactful and transformative, contributing significantly to the implementation of UNEPโs Programme of Work and the 2030 Agenda. By coordinating at a corporate level UNEPโs involvement in key UN system platforms and initiatives linked to UNEP engagement with High Impact Sectors to advance better environmental outcomes, the Private Sector Unit plays a crucial role in aligning private sector efforts with global environmental goals. The Private Sector Unit brings substantial value to both IED and the broader UNEP framework by positioning UNEP as a key convener of senior policymakers and business leaders. Through this role, we facilitate the development of innovative solutions to tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Nature loss and Pollution. By leveraging the expertise, resources, and influence of the private sector, the Private Sector Unit helps drive sustainable practices and policies that advance environmental objectives, ensuring that our collective efforts have a lasting, positive impact on the global environment. The actions of governments and civil society alone are not enough to tackle our most pressing environmental challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector plays a critical role in addressing the three environmental crises (climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste) to bring about changes in high-impact sector business practices, bringing new business models and solutions, and systems change working with governments and civil society.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Head of the Private Sector Unit in UNEPโs Industry and Economy Division, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: โข Provide programmatic and administrative support for the planning, coordination, and execution of activities under the Private Sector Unitโs portfolio. โข Assist in tracking and monitoring the implementation of private sector partnerships to ensure alignment with UNEPโs Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and Programme of Work (PoW). โข Support the preparation and review of project documents, concept notes, reports, and correspondence related to private sector partnerships. โข Compile and maintain data on UNEPโs private sector engagements to support internal and external reporting, including inputs to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) updates and annual partnership reports. โข Contribute to the development of briefing materials and presentations for senior management, CPR sessions, and inter-agency meetings. โข Support coordination with internal teams and external partners, including other UNEP divisions, UN entities, business coalitions, and multistakeholder initiatives. โข Assist in the organization of meetings, events, and workshops related to private sector engagement, including logistical coordination and documentation. โข Contribute to communication materials (e.g., website content and case studies) highlighting the impact of UNEPโs private sector partnerships. โข Help catalyze shifts in business models and value chains that drive sustainability in high-impact sectors such as energy, electronics, textiles, plastics, construction, etc. โข Support the development of innovative solutions and practices that contribute to UNEPโs environmental objectives. โข Perform other duties as required in support of the Unitโs mandate and emerging priorities.
Competencies and valuesWorking in Teams Planning and Organizing Professionalism Integrity Communication Client Orientation
Living conditions and remarksThe 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. Kenyaโs population of more than 40 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 an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenyaโs people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenyaโs main food crops are โmaize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.โ (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. Link to the Entitlement Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator