WEC Background:

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.

The NDC Partnership:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).

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 the BAU scenario (143 MtCO2eq). The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry was created under Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 in the Organization of Government of Kenya. This Ministry is mandated to undertake to protect and conserve the 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 gas 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.

Contractual Arrangement

Contract Duration: 12 months, 220 days with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

This is a retainer home-Based position, and therefore the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.

As this is a local position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Kenya or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

Functional Responsibility

1. Technical Support
2. Knowledge Management, Communication and Reporting

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, environment and water and sanitation 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 with a focus on Environment, Climate Change, Water and Sanitation. The position will be based in the office of the Principal Secretary, State Department of Environment and Climate Change.

The Senior Technical Advisor 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.

1. Technical Support

1. To maintain climate action Environment, Climate Change, Water and Sanitation programs and projects efficiency and to ensure that services such as liaison with other offices on technical issues, preparation of necessary technical documents are provided in an effective and efficient manner in the office of the Principal Secretary, State Department of Environment and Climate Change
2. Develop technical guidance notes on priority topics in the ministry such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, water and sanitation and other cross-cutting themes such as circular economy, sustainable consumption and production to inform strategic positioning of the country through technical advisory to the PS and policy development/review.
3. Advise the PS national and global work on water pollution, basic sanitation, loss and damage, carbon credits, climate risks and impacts, vulnerability, resilience.
4. Enhance the Ministry’s coordination mandate to mobilize resources at the Principal Secretary’s level to achieve Kenya’s climate change action priorities through liaison with the NDC Partnership in-country facilitator to coordinate development partners.
5. Research and provide technical input on global and national policies to inform national and sub-national policy and technical advisory on cutting edge and relevant innovation on water and sanitation and the broader environmental sector topics.
6. Research and provide technical input on the nexus between climate change, water and sanitation to increase resilience and reduce impact of climate hazards in water sources and sanitation systems.
7. Lead drafting of technical reports of the Principal Secretary’s strategic engagements including field visits and meeting of minutes and following up on key action points of the visits/meetings
8. Support external communication by contributing to drafting of public/media information on projects and programs
9. Maintain records and databases of ongoing and incoming projects and consistently update the progress in coordination with technical staff.
10. Lead the development of high-level event/meeting briefs, drafting high level speeches and talking points for the Principal Secretary

2. Knowledge Management, Communication and Reporting

1. Continually foster a positive working relationship between the Office of the Principal Secretary and its partners and stakeholders by exchanging pertinent updates and information and implementing engagement outcomes in coordination with other departments.
2. Coordinating with officers and specialists to prepare responses to inquiries from stakeholders on technical matters directed to the Office of the Principal Secretary.
3. Prepare and edit reports, data, and information for various projects under the Department and oversee technical documentation

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in water & Sanitation Engineering, Environmental & Biosystems Engineering, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Law or any other related field from a recognized institution.
• Master’s degree or higher is an added advantage.

Experience

Required

• 5 years of experience in environmental and/or water policies, environmental and/or climate change aspects of demand-driven development programmes/projects is required.
• Experience in influencing development of adaptive policies, guidelines and regulations at national and/or sub-national levels.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and the ability to rapidly analyse and incorporate diverse information from a range of sources into concise reports.

Asset

• Demonstrate ability to manage multiple technical and administrative tasks.
• Previous experience working with projects and with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in management and delivery of multi-donor funded projects.
• Excellent communication skills; both verbal and written.

Contract type: ICA / ICS 10 retainer
Contract level: Local ICA 10
Contract duration: 12 months, 220 days, with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.