Organization Mission

Since 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.

Context

Within the Disasters and Conflicts Branch, the DRR Unit promotes Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) to support mandates outlined in international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Through upscaling Eco-DRR initiatives and the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR), the Unit provides technical expertise to stakeholders, programme partners, and vulnerable communities to help advocate and adopt Eco-DRR within various contexts, with a focus on nature-based solutions for enhancing disaster and climate resilience. The Unit also engages on emerging and high-priority issues such as sand and dust storms, wildfires and forest fires, disaster-induced displacement, and Loss and Damage—areas that are increasingly relevant in the context of Disaster Risk Reduction and environmental fragility. Furthermore, the DRR Unit addresses rising industrial risks, fortifying environmental governance to mitigate pollution incidents, and safeguarding public health.

UNEP works closely with national and local Governmental institutions, communities, industry partners, academia, and civil society to promote environmental best practices. The DRR Unit also liaises with other Units of the Branch in addressing environmental drivers and impacts of disaster risks and conflict, as well as supporting conflict and disaster-affected countries in addressing pressing environmental risks to help promote sustainable stabilization, recovery, and reconstruction efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit and the Head of the Branch, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1.Support to Governments and the UN System in Disaster Risk Reduction efforts
• Support the provision of technical assistance on Eco-DRR in identified geographic priority areas and drawing on best practices for using Nature-based Solutions and improved environmental governance to enhance resilience, and address rising industrial risks.
• Provide inputs to the Unit’s global and regional normative engagements on DRR, including the Sendai Framework and the Rio Conventions, including backstopping the organisation and delivery of workshops and side events, and preparing normative inputs.
• Assist the Unit in its function as Secretariat to the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR), including liaising with members, communication, and outreach.
• Support the Unit’s engagement and coordination internally within UNEP, including with the Climate Change Division.

2.Knowledge and Capacity Development
• In collaboration with DRR Team members, undertake research assignments on topics related to Eco-DRR, including but not limited to Eco-DRR in humanitarian and post-conflict settings, gender-related aspects of Eco-DRR, environmental impacts of hazards such as sand and dust storms, disaster-induced displacement, and Nature-based solutions for coastal and urban resilience.
• Support the preparation, review, and finalization of research and reports related to DRR and support follow-up and implementation of recommendations.
• Support the documentation, systematization, and dissemination of Eco-DRR knowledge, including inspiring practices and success stories.
• Support the production of capacity-building materials and the delivery of training courses on environmental governance and Eco-DRR.
• Prepare communications and visibility materials, such as stories, fact sheets, briefing notes, social media content, newsletters, and press releases.

3.Project development and Partnership Building
• Support project and programme design and acquisitions, and the scaling-up of the Eco-DRR portfolio and expanding the application of Eco-DRR in humanitarian settings.
• Contribute to DRR project implementation, monitoring, and reporting to financing partners.
• Support partner management process, including regularly updating and maintaining the Project partners’ contact list.
• Assist the Unit in initiating, developing, and maintaining partnerships with UN system partners, national governments, regional institutions, academia, and technical experts in the Eco-DRR field.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take an active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Demonstrated interest/ experience in environmental management, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action, climate change, environmental governance, or sustainable development.
• Previous experience, whether through academic studies, internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities, that reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability, international development, or cross-cultural engagement.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams.
• Ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and adapt to evolving priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Prior exposure to project coordination, research, or stakeholder engagement is an asset.

Core Competencies

Adaptability and Flexibility
Client Orientation
Client Orientation
Respect for Diversity
Technological Awareness
Working in Teams

Living Conditions

The 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: The 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 are a highland cool and warm tropical climate.

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