UNJP Gender-Responsive Blue Economy Consultant

Gender Responsive Blue Economy in Kenya (UNJP)

Nairobi

10 months

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. Its 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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners in providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) plays a key role in supporting the transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy, including within the framework of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). The purpose of this consultancy is intended to provide full‑time technical coordination, analytical support, and capacity strengthening to ensure successful implementation of UNEP‑led components of the Joint Programme. Specifically, the consultancy aims to: • Strengthen inter‑agency coordination and programme implementation • Enhance gender‑responsive county planning and use of marine and coastal resources • Coordinate a Sustainable Blue Economy Rapid Readiness Assessment (RRA) for Kwale County • Coordinate evidence generation through mapping and spatial analysis • Build institutional and community capacity for gender‑responsive marine and coastal conservation • Advance community‑led, nature‑based economic initiatives. Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer and with overall guidance of the Chief of the Marine & Coastal Unit the consultant will be responsible for: 1. Prepare project work plan, data inventory and compile relevant information and documentation (policies, strategies, legislation) to enable UNEP-led activities under the UN Joint Programme on Gender Response Blue Economy in Kenya funded by Canada, in close inter-agency communication across UNJP partners (UNEP, FAO, UNIDO, UN-Women). This includes participation and contributions in regular technical discussions, project coordination and steering group meetings, technical input and review of working documents and work plans across JP partners, county and national partners. 2. Coordinate a review and gap analysis of the Kwale County Spatial Plan 2022-2032 with regard to gender-responsive approaches to protection and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources and blue economy assets in county operations, management and annual budgeting. This includes recommendations and scenarios on the integration of gender responsive marine and coastal nature-based solutions into Kwale CSP 2022-32 implementation, the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), and associated annual budgeting process. 3. Coordinate a Sustainable Blue Economy Rapid Readiness Assessment (RRA) for Kwale County applying UNEP’s Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework (UNEP, 2026) and associated RRA-tool to identify gender-responsive enabling conditions and institutional gaps for effective implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) and sustainable blue economy transition models that enable equitable, resilient and sustainable blue economy development. This includes preparation of RRA questionnaire tailored to Kwale county context; circulation of questionnaire to relevant stakeholders; conducting interviews and consultations across county government departments (e.g. Environment, Planning, Fisheries, Tourism, others), development partners, civil society organizations, stakeholder groups, private sector, and relevant national entities (e.g. Ministry of the Environment; NEMA; State Department for Blue Economy; others). 4. Prepare technical report with analysis and results of RRA questionnaire, consultations and in-depth interviews and outline initial draft recommendations for gender-responsive pathways and enabling actions for blue economic development in Kwale county for follow-up consultation/validation with Kwale county, local and national actors and UNJP Partners. 5. Organise RRA validation meeting with Kwale Country government across relevant departments, summarise recommendations and a roadmap with priority actions to strengthen key enabling conditions for gender-responsive blue economy pathways, incl. marine and coastal ecosystem protection and sustainable resource use. 6. Prepare interim progress reports of UNEP-led activities under the UN Joint Programme on Gender Response Blue Economy in Kenya funded by Canada, in close inter-agency communication across UNJP partners (UNEP, FAO, UNIDO, UN-Women). 7. Provide technical guidance and support institution-building on the integration of gender responsive strategies in community-led marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and management strategies, including Marine Spatial Plan (MSP), Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) and Other Effective Biodiversity Conservation Mechanisms in Kwale County. This includes consultations with Kwale County government and relevant mandated marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and resource management government agencies (e.g. WRTI, KWS, KMFRI, others) to identify options for gender-responsive design, implementation and enforcement to operationalise community co-management of the Diani-Chale Marine Reserve (as recommended in Kwale County Spatial Plan 2022-2032). 8. Organise stakeholder consultations with local community groups on practical arrangements for community co-management of the Diani-Chale Marine Reserve and validate modalities for implementation of a co-management system in consultation with the Kwale County govt and national government. 9. Coordinate the development of a scoping paper for business planning and capacity enhancement for community-led nature-based economic initiatives in Kwale County, particularly the Chale (Jeza) Community Boardwalk, paying particular attention to the role of women and opportunities for women-owned initiatives. 10. Prepare the 2026 annual progress report of UNEP-led activities under the UN Joint Programme on Gender Response Blue Economy in Kenya funded by Canada, in close inter-agency communication across UNJP partners (UNEP, FAO, UNIDO, UN-Women).

An advanced university degree (master’s level or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Marine or Coastal Resource Management, Natural Resource Economics, Spatial Planning, Geography, Gender Studies, Climate Change, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of coastal and marine resource management, blue economy development, environmental governance, climate resilience, or nature-based solutions is required. Demonstrated experience in supporting programme coordination, work planning, reporting, and technical advisory services within UN agencies, government institutions, or international development programmes is required. Proven experience in county‑level or sub‑national planning processes, including review and analysis of spatial plans, county integrated development plans (CIDPs), or related planning frameworks is desirable. Experience conducting or coordinating assessments, technical studies, stakeholder consultations, and preparing analytical or technical reports. Hands-on experience in gender‑responsive programming, especially related to marine and coastal resource management, community-based conservation, or sustainable economic livelihoods is required. Experience in mapping, spatial analysis, or working with spatial datasets (e.g., land–sea interface, blue carbon, nature-based economic opportunities) is desirable. Prior work experience with multi-agency or joint UN programmes is desirable.

fluency in oral and written English is required, knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.