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Environmental Education & Training Specialist

Nairobi

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Nairobi
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Resilience and Climate Change
    • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Preamble

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programmeis the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Organizational Context/Project

The Nairobi Convention Secretariat is the Regional Seas Convention for the Eastern and Southern Africa region administered by United Nations Environment within the Ecosystems Division responsible for the coordination, development and implementation of the Nairobi Convention’s Work Programme. The UNV will provide support to the implementation of the Nairobi Convention’s Work Programme by engaging with Universities to carry out community empowerment needs assessment and development of national plans for engagement of communities in water quality management issues. The United Nations Volunteer will also engage with Universities in the region and initiate programmes and actions that empower communities in water quality management in some Western Indian Ocean Countries as part of a broader theme of implementing Western Indian Ocean – Strategic Action Programme (WIO-SAP). 

Living Conditions

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called 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 Air-port. 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 as-assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

The UN classifies Nairobi as class ‘C’, entitling UN Staff to annual home leave.  Nairobi enjoys normal living conditions for a developing country in Africa.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

A twelve month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Kes. 74,254.00 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Nairobi Convention Secretariat, the  UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks

Operational tasks: 80%

  • Assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of a programme on  Forum for Academic and Research Institutions including Partnership on Education and Sustainability programme with focus on education, research, training, networking by engaging with Forum for and Research Institutions to carry out community empowerment, needs assessment and development of national plans for engagement of communities in water quality management issues.
  • Provide support in communicating , monitoring and evaluating activities of partners in the Nairobi Convention
  • Prepare materials for detailed implementation and follow-up of project implementation and distribution of information on online newsletter for the Nairobi convention
  • Web updating with current and relevant content when required, and provide publication of substantive reports and other materials resulting from Nairobi Convention Secretariat.
  • Fund-raising through preparation of project ideas and proposals
  • Support the preparation of training programmes and training materials in response to capacity building needs for the Nairobi Convention countries and within, academia and civil society groups.
  • Draft the Terms of Reference for consultants and progress reports.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of environmental education and training projects and initiatives
  • Collect, analyze and present statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources on emerging trends in Environmental Education (EE) and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc
  • Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc, to include agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of background documents and handling logistics.

Training tasks: 20%

  • Organize and facilitate training workshops for the Nairobi Convention
  • Provide training support during Nairobi Convention national and regional trainings 
  • Assist in other related tasks as directed by the supervisor from time to time    

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 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.

Results/Expected Output

  • Enhanced establishment of partnerships in universities, communities, other higher institutions of learning, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations;
  • Contributions to UNV website about volunteerism in environmental education in the Western Indian Ocean Region including engagement of communities in water quality management.
  • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies

Special/additional skills needed (in specific training areas, negotiation, computers, management etc.):

  • Fairly proficient in computer software.  A sound background in environmental education or ESD activities.  Ability to prepare successful project proposals.  Monitoring and Evaluation ability.  Ability to speak more than 1 official UN languages (English and French) and proven editorial skills would be advantageous.

Personal characteristics:

  • Team player with ability to work under minimal supervision.  Innovative and creative in analyzing and seeking solutions to problems.  Readiness to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Language requirements (at worksite, with national staff, with beneficiaries):

  • For the advertised position, fluency in oral and written English is required. A good working knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Field of expertise: Environmental Education Studies

Educational and technical background

  • At least, a Bachelor’s degree in environmental education or a closely relevant area of study but with a strong emphasis on education or education for sustainable development.  Advanced degree will be an added advantage. Preference will be given to candidates with research, presentation and ICT skills.

Work experience

  • At least 2 years working experience in environment/development field preferably in the UN, experience in programme management, and development of project proposals, environmental education and education for sustainable development (ESD) will be a distinct advantage.

Disclaimer

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.

This vacancy is now closed.
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