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. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP has a network of country, liaison, sub-regional and regional offices facilitating the relevant country, sub-regional and regional processes, and coordinating the coherent delivery of UNEP’s programme targeting the causes of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste through seven interlinked subprogrammes for action. These are: Climate Action, Chemicals and Pollution Action, Nature Action, Science-Policy, Environmental Governance, Finance and Economic Transformations, and Digital Transformations. UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa (ROA) supports environmental governance institutions and processes and engages a broad range of partners that include governmental, non-governmental, academic, and private sector entities on multilateral environmental agreements and sustainability programmes and projects in response to national, sub-regional and regional needs and priorities. This position is in UNEP ROA at Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director and the guidance of the Regional Director, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Programme Coordination Science-Policy: • Serve as regional focal point for the science-policy programme as per the UNEP medium-term strategy and coordinate UNEP’s science-policy related programmes, projects and other interventions in the region and ensure their coherence and visibility; • Coordinate UNEP’s support to member countries in region and produce appropriate brief to inform strategic positioning by the Regional Office. United Nations Country Team engagement: Provide technical support and guidance to UNEP Country Focal Points to facilitate effective engagement with UN Country Teams on subprogramme-related matters. Partnerships: Support the implementation of the UNEP’s Programme of Work in cooperation with regional partners to strengthen the Science – Policy interface in environmental planning and decision-making in the Region to meet regional/national priorities concerning Climate, Nature, and Pollution agenda. Capacity building and technical support: Design and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the understanding and application of subprogramme concepts and tools among regional stakeholders, including UN United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Assistance Frameworks (UNSDCF) processes. Reporting and Communication: Prepare progress reports, briefs, and other communication materials to inform strategic positioning and decision-making by UNEP’s Regional Office. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with national governments, regional bodies, civil society organizations, and the private sector to promote the objectives of the assigned subprogramme and facilitate collaboration. Advocacy: Promote integrating scientific knowledge into environmental policy and decision-making processes at the regional level by supporting evidence-based policies and communicating UNEP’s work in regional/ministerial fora. Data analysis and information for decision-making: • Gather, analyze, and package relevant data and information to inform decision-making processes and identify emerging issues impacting the subprogramme’s objectives. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Perform other duties as may assigned by the Senior Management.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of UNEP institutional mandates and operational roles. Proven ability to discern strategic development processes at national and regional levels and package environmental information to underpin decision making; Recognized expertise in one or more of the following fields: integrated environmental assessment, environmental information networking and outreach; familiarity with the UN Country Programming processes and working with UN Country teams. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. COMMUNICATION – Excellent ability to express ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively both orally and in writing with skilled styles and formats designed to target different audiences and in the presentation of complex environmental issues. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages and responds appropriately, Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. LEADERSHIP – Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.