Result of Service

These Terms of Reference (TORs) seek to support the delivery of the Go Blue project. The project has an opportunity to raise the profile of coastal counties and ecosystems for sustainable development. This assignment seeks expertise to assist with project management and coordination up to closure, and further facilitate understanding of the marine and coastal ecosystems, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable practices that are essential for the successful implementation of sustainable blue economy initiatives and integration of land-sea components in planning and management. The consultant will also ensure county and national governments liaison and engagement as appropriate to deepen ownership of pending project processes and associated benefits and also ensure promotion and profiling of these benefits among different stakeholders.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

8 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. Introduction The Go-Blue Project is a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Government of Kenya to advance the Blue Economy agenda across six counties in Kenya’s coastal region. The implementing partners include four member states agencies from Germany, Italy, Portugal and France, and UN-Habitat and UNEP, with each implementing specific components of the Project in collaboration with the coastal counties and the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP) Secretariat and relevant national government Ministries. UN-Habitat and UNEP are jointly implementing the main environmental component Result Area 2: Connecting People, Cities and the Ocean: Innovative Land-Sea Planning and Management for a Sustainable and Resilient Kenyan Coast. Under this component, UN-Habitat and UNEP are focusing on Innovative, Integrated, Ecosystem-based Land-Sea Planning and Management for a Sustainable and Resilient Kenyan Coast. The core goal is to enable land-sea planning, including the compilation of relevant data in Kenya’s six coastal Counties. This includes addressing key socio-economic and environmental drivers and challenges to secure marine and coastal ecosystem services through planning, capacity building and pilot activities across the six coastal Counties. The project has four (4) specific outcomes: 1. Planning authorities to use information generated from the project in demonstration exercises on integrated, sustainable land-sea spatial planning and management, 2. JKP counties and coastal locations apply new frameworks and approaches in integrated land-sea planning and management, 3. Pilot interventions resulting in the protection of coastal ecosystems, improved waste management, climate change and blue job creation in target areas, 4. Good practices and knowledge from integrated land-sea planning are applied by county governments, local communities, and private sectors in the JKP region. Rationale These Terms of Reference (TORs) seek to support the delivery of the Go Blue project. The project has an opportunity to raise the profile of coastal counties and ecosystems for sustainable development. This assignment seeks expertise to assist with project management and coordination up to closure, and further facilitate understanding of the marine and coastal ecosystems, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable practices that are essential for the successful implementation of sustainable blue economy initiatives and integration of land-sea components in planning and management. The consultant will also ensure county and national governments liaison and engagement as appropriate to deepen ownership of pending project processes and associated benefits and also ensure promotion and profiling of these benefits among different stakeholders. Scope of Work The Go Blue project has an ambition to enable Kenya’s transition to a sustainable, resilient and equitable blue economies across the JKP region through a holistic approach, policies and management that underpin thriving coastal communities, healthy and productive marine ecosystems for present and future generations. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit (MCEU), the consultant will undertake the following tasks: a) Providing technical support in development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and progress reporting of tasks related to ‘Go Blue Result Area 2 – “Connecting People, Cities and the Ocean: Innovative Land-Sea Planning and Management for a Sustainable and Resilient Kenyan Coast” focusing broadly on demonstration projects support, development of project Guidelines, project data and knowledge management strategy and infrastructure; and other JKP regional frameworks, b) Support Project Management Unit (PMU) in preparation of a Go-Blue data and knowledge management strategy, data infrastructure, capacity building and sustainability plan. c) Contribute to the preparation of briefing notes, concept notes and presentations on the Go-Blue project in synergy with related projects within MCEU and other relevant Units within UNEP, d) Support organization of meetings and contribute to the preparation of Go-Blue meeting agendas, workshops and meeting concept notes, identifying participants, preparation of background and working documents, meeting reports and where appropriate, handling logistics and preparing mission reports, e) Collaborates with the MCEU project team and the Go-Blue Project PMU in reviewing project progress reports and, annual work plans and budget; support implementing partners with reporting requirements, guidelines, rules, and procedures and ensure completeness and accuracy of data submitted, f) Lead the preparation of legal agreements such as Small-Scale Funding Agreements (SSFA) and Project Cooperation Agreements (PCA) with partners for implementation of project activities and processing through the UNEP’s Partners Portal, g) Lead in monitoring of project implementation in accordance with the agreements and through liaising with implementing partners, JKP and UN-Habitat (for joint projects), county and national government entities, h) Review the Performance of Implementing partners, conduct consultation, and jointly prepare an acceleration plan and coordinate its implementation i) Facilitate, in close collaboration with MCEU team, the review and finalisation of Land-Sea Planning (LSP) guideline, Rapid Readiness Assessment (RRA) and Lamu CSP review/revision, and GoBlue data and knowledge management strategy and future hosting options. j) Create and maintain an experts and institutional database of partners implementing interventions related to the Go-Blue project, k) Contributes to preparation annual work plan and budgets, revisions, and other related issues, as well as preparation of Unit contributions for various periodic reports, l) Draft and/or contributing to quarterly, mid-year and annual reporting on the progress in implementation of the Go-Blue project, including updating project progress in UNEP system as required, m) Support UNEP in preparation of final comprehensive project progress report to donor. n) Support the communication work by working in close collaboration with the Communications team and implementing partners to broadcast achievements and lesson learned, o) Ensure necessary knowledge management products are developed for shared learning using the Go-Blue knowledge portal or Nairobi Convention Clearing Mechanism as an online platform, p) Support the development of robust exit strategies for the various activities as part of project closure, so as to ensure long term sustainability of the Go Blue project. q) Assist project officers in projects monitoring and evaluation, carrying out periodic status reviews, identifying issues and consulting with key partners to design joint solutions, r) Support organization of events organized by MCEU, Marine and Freshwater Branch and UNEP in general, s) Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

1. An advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in marine sciences, environmental studies specializing in marine and coastal environment, project management or discipline related to work of marine biology and/or coastal ecosystems, or related areas is required. At least 2 years of experience in coastal and marine conservation and management, as well as experience in ocean governance and using geospatial tools; work experience in an international organization is also required. 3. Familiarity with Sustainable Development Goals in relation to SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 14 on life under water is desirable. 4. Demonstrate previous experience in project management and coordination, including strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, in – Kenya and the JKP region is desirable. 5. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills, preferably with proven experience working in project management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in other UN languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

• Strong skills in project design, implementation and administration of large funding agreements and project reporting a requirement. • Strong English writing and communication skills a requirement. • Demonstrated competency in technical writing and ability to work within short timelines and with minimum supervision is an added advantage • Experience working with different stakeholders at both strategic and technical levels and demonstrated quality and timely delivery is desired • Working knowledge of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and experience of working with the Governments of the WIO region would be an advantage. • Familiarity with appreciable understanding of the works of the UNEP is an asset.

No Fee

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.