Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradeGS7
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-03-01
Job Posting End DateFebruary 7, 2024
Standard Job Description
Senior Environment Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Environment Associate will work closely with colleagues at his/her level responsible for protection, site planning, water and sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, health, community services and livelihoods. The incumbent will contribute to dealing with all issues related to environment and climate change, including mainstreaming into all sectors and aspects of the country operation.
Regular and frequent discussions between the incumbent and the supervisor(s) are necessary to ensure that the latest best practices and procedures are shared and applied consistently on issues related to environment and climate change. The incumbent may undertake missions to the camps and liaise with field offices on the implementation of environment programmes.
Refugee operations inherently degrade environments because of changes in land use and increased use of natural resources. It is imperative to ensure environmental mitigation measures are in place to ensure sustainable natural resource use for wellbeing refugees and host communities.
Proactive coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including refugees and host communities, is required to synergise resources. Interventions are evidence-based to ensure their appropriateness. Environment and social screening in addition to environmental impact assessments will be required to evaluate the Operation.
The Senior Environment Associate should be capable of working with minimum supervision throughout the project lifecycle in the environment programme and normally supervises some support staff. S/he will be instrumental in contributing to the development of specific inputs related to the sector and must meet reporting requirements. The incumbent should be part of the Multi-function Team to ensure that environmental concerns are mainstreamed and taken into consideration in any decision making process.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Based on assessments, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, identify sustainable solutions to address the basic needs of PoCs while mitigating the environmental impact of the interventions.
- Assist in the management of UNHCR's assistance projects in the form of project submissions, revisions and reallocations in the field throughout the project lifecycle, including needs assessments, planning, budgeting, and monitoring of field related activities.
- Assist with the collection of data and information concerning the environmental status of settlements and broader hosting areas.
- Contribute to internal and external reporting commitments, including drafting proposals for environment and energy while ensuring new projects are coherent and visibly complement planned interventions at country level.
- Ensure all responses work toward environmental sustainability for both PoCs and host communities.
- Provide administrative support to Programme in the technical oversight of UNHCR implementing partners to ensure environmental considerations are adequately integrated in technical interventions.
- Stay abreast of new technologies and relevant partnerships related to environment and climate change to more efficiently respond to the needs of PoCs, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.
- Provide administrative support to training and capacity building activities to address the identified skills and knowledge gaps.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 7 years relevant experience with High school diploma
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Environment;
Natural Resources Mgmt;
Agriculture;
Agro Forestry;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Awareness of and practical experience with refugee-related environmental problems. Familiarity with emerging environmentally sustainable and appropriate technologies. Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches.
Desirable
Budgeting, planning, ability to work with various (relevant) computer software. Broad understanding of climate change narrative and initiatives geared towards mitigation of impacts.
Functional Skills
CO-Cross-cultural communication
CO-Drafting and Documentation
IT-Computer Literacy
MG-Project Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile Sound experiences in Energy and Environment issues
Ability to handle multi task
ability to work under pressure
Experiences in working various stakeholders
Experiences in working in the field
Experiences in working in refugees context
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational health and safety considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy services is integral part of the humanitarian response and an essential factor in creating sustainable economic development. Sustainable energy services are essential for basic human protection and aim to enable refugees and host communities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei to meet their energy needs in a safe, sustainable and affordable way. The Operation recognizes the critical importance of access to sustainable energy to ensure basic needs, improve human protection and well-being, and foster communitiesยด inclusiveness.
Sub-Office Kakuma is exploring clean energy ways to provide energy to refugees in relation to cooking, lighting and clean water, moving away from fossil fuel provisions. As energy poverty leads to insecurity, increased protection risks, reduced development opportunities, health problems and environmental degradation, the way forward for the operation in the energy sector will also underpin enabling refugees the opportunity to partake income-generating activities in collaboration with private business enterprises.
In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Senior Environment Associate will provide operational and technical support on all sustainable energy initiatives in the operation. The incumbent will work very closely with the UNHCR technical sectors, Programme and Protection colleagues in mainstreaming sustainable energy solutions in the operation.
Further, the incumbent will also work closely with both technical and Protection colleagues in supporting the operation on all issues related to the environment and will ensure that UNHCR policies are in line with global and national strategies. The incumbent will ensure that the latest best practices and procedures are shared and applied consistently on issues related to the environment.
Living and Working Conditions:
Kenya is a country that enjoys social stability resulting from the smooth functioning of state institutions with a good level of infrastructure (e.g. roads, distribution of water, electricity, etc.) and a popular tourist destination. The current Security Level in the capital and in SRM Area 1A: Northern Rift Valley ( Kakuma, Lodwar ) is Moderate -3. All UN personnel must comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment to Kakuma. Kakuma is a non-family duty station with a hardship classified E, its living conditions are difficult but the social climate is calm. The weather is hot, dry and sunny. Windy storms are common in December and more pronounced in January till March. Staff live in UNHCR-provided accommodation; the facilities are generally of acceptable condition. The incumbent will be briefed on conditions of accommodations, laundry, meals, communications, air and road transports, recreations and others relevant information. However, staff members are charged rental fee predetermined by the organisation paid upfront on monthly basis. It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all banks here in Kakuma. There are limited banking facilities at Kakuma with two banks (Equity & Kenya Commercial Bank ) having branches locally; internet and communications networks are available at the compound with fairly speed. The mobile telephone remains stable with 3G network. Climatic conditions are relatively harsh, and despite fumigation of the compound, insects and even snakes are present in the environment on seasonal climate changes. UNHCR has established a satellite level 1 JMS medical clinic in the compound following COVID-19 situation readily available 24/7 hours ; there is also Kakuma Mission Hospital where a doctor/Surgeon is deployed and paid for by UNHCR to provide assistance to refugees but special arrangements can be made during emergencies for staff members. There are also some pharmacies within Kakuma with basic medical facilities. Evacuation opportunities are limited. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory and vaccination cards should be updated. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
CertificationsAgriculture - Other, Agro_Forestry - Other, Environment - Other, Natural Resources Management - Other
Work ExperienceNumber of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
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Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance