Ecosystem Restoration Specialist | UNEP Young Talent Pipeline

Mission and objectives

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

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.

Under Resolution 73/284, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2021–2030 to be the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UN Decade) to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. The Young Professional will be part of the small core team for the UN Decade co-led by two UN entities, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), jointly with the Rio Conventions and a network of over 150 entities from private sector to civil society actors.

The UN Decade kickstarted a global restoration movement setting global standards and bringing restorers around the globe together under one umbrella for the next 8 years. Millions of citizens engage in #GenerationRestoration and are eager to take action and support the UN Decade. Twitter’s marketing research confirms ‘The Great Restoration’ being the global conversation #1 to watch in 2023.

Task description

The incumbent will support the overall Coordinator of the UN Decade (D1) and as an integral part of the core team as well as the different arms of the UN Decade such as the Task forces, governance bodies, as well as with the Multi-Partner Trust Fund. 

Specifically, the International UNV will undertake the following tasks:

1. The Young professional will lead on building a network of volunteers, e.g. online volunteers, in support of the UN Decade partner network activities through Action Plan challenges and Task Forces. The Digital Hub provides an opportunity as emerging platform and Youth is a key constituency and target group in this endeavor. a. Building and coordinating this network for a global movement while using the existing UN Decade architecture and in collaboration with all stakeholder groups, will be a stint in movement building as a key, professional qualities for future assignment.
2. The UN Volunteer will help with the implementation of Restoration Challenges under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s new Action Plan, working closely with partners, leading on Learning Sessions, as well as support formal reporting requirements 
3. The incumbent will support other programmatic and partner coordination-related tasks, such as calls for World Restoration Flagships, as needed Results/Expected Outputs
   • Well-coordinated network of volunteers in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and its partners.
   • Timely reporting and monitoring of volunteer and partner activities.
   • High-quality inputs to reports on UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration contributions through the Action Plans, volunteers, and partner networks.