Technical Senior Officer - Environmental (Retainer)

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. 

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements,  such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Country Context

Kenya is experiencing devastating impacts of climate change that are negatively impacting the economy, well-being of the people and causing environmental disruptions. Kenya submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat December 2020, targeting 32% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 compared to BAU scenario (143 MtCO2eq). The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry was created under Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 on the Organization of Government of Kenya. This Ministry is mandated to undertake to protect and conserve natural environment, to control pollution, restore and protect water towers and wetlands and to develop policies in line with forestry development and management and climate change action.

To implement the NDC, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry (MoECCF) has established initiatives under the National Climate Change Action Plan III (NCCAP) 2023-2027 and Long-Term low green-house gases Emissions Strategy (LT-LEDS) to achieve the Paris agreement targets. The department of Environment and Climate Change is spearheading partner and stakeholder coordination for resource mobilization to achieve the Country’s ambitious targets on climate action. The recent inauguration of the Africa Climate Change Summit and the amended Climate Change Act 2023 has proven the Ministry’s commitments towards continued climate action. With much work arising from the various aforementioned programs and initiatives the Ministry is requesting additional support for technical advisory and administrative services in the office of the Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Climate Change.

The incumbent will provide additional support for technical advisory and administrative services in the office of the Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Climate Change in order to maintain climate action programs and projects efficiency and to ensure that services are provided in an effective and efficient manner. Additionally, the role will contribute towards enhancement of the Ministry’s coordination mandate to mobilize resources at the Principal Secretary’s level to achieve Kenya’s climate change action. The position will be based in the office of the Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Climate Change. 

The Technical Senior Officer will report to the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and/or Regional Manager. The incumbent will work closely with the Principal Secretary (PS) and the NDC Partnership Focal Point in MoECCF and the NDC Partnership Support Unit. He/she will need to bring his/her own laptop to the ministry's duty station.

This is a national vacancy/position home based in Nairobi, Kenya for twelve (12) months with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

• A Bachelor’s degree in project management, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or any other related field from a recognized institution.
• A master's degree or higher is an added advantage.

Required

• Wish a Master degree, at least  2 years of experience in environmental and climate change aspects of demand-driven development programmes/projects is required .
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and the ability to rapidly analyse and incorporate diverse information from a range of sources into concise reports.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple technical and administrative tasks.

• Proven ability to function as a team player, to work across institutional boundaries, and to collaborate with other entities. Hands-on and action-oriented approach.

• Previous experience working with projects and with a range of stakeholders will be an added advantage.

• Excellent computer literacy

• Excellent communication skills; both verbal and written.

• Must be hardworking, agile, efficient, organized and systematic.

• Must have the capacity to work calmly in an intensive work environment.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.