Programme Management Associate

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.

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. 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 UNEP’s 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 UNEP’s Programme of Work and the 2030 Agenda. By coordinating at a corporate level UNEP’s 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.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Private Sector Unit in UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
•Provide programmatic and administrative support for the planning, coordination, and execution of activities under the Private Sector Unit’s portfolio.
•Assist in tracking and monitoring the implementation of private sector partnerships to ensure alignment with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and Programme of Work (PoW).
•Support the preparation and review of project documents, concept notes, reports, and correspondence related to private sector partnerships.
•Compile and maintain data on UNEP’s private sector engagements to support internal and external reporting, including inputs to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) updates and annual partnership reports.
•Contribute to the development of briefing materials and presentations for senior management, CPR sessions, and inter-agency meetings.
•Support coordination with internal teams and external partners, including other UNEP divisions, UN entities, business coalitions, and multistakeholder initiatives.
•Assist in the organization of meetings, events, and workshops related to private sector engagement, including logistical coordination and documentation.
•Contribute to communication materials (e.g., website content and case studies) highlighting the impact of UNEP’s private sector partnerships.
•Help catalyze shifts in business models and value chains that drive sustainability in high-impact sectors such as energy, electronics, textiles, plastics, construction, etc.
•Support the development of innovative solutions and practices that contribute to UNEP’s environmental objectives.
•Perform other duties as required in support of the Unit’s mandate and emerging priorities.