Technical Specialist, Watersheds And Nature
Job Description
Deadline to apply is 17 April 2025.
Mission and objectives
UNEPs 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.
For five decades, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been a leading advocate for the environment, a steadfast partner and a trusted adviser with a mission to inform, enable and inspire nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP monitors the state and health of the planet, ensures that science remains at the centre of decision-making processes, and that environmental rule of law continues to underpin global environmental governance.
Together with its partners, UNEP has made significant progress, yet there is no denying that today, environmental challenges have reached unprecedented levels. Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production have led to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
The science is clear: human health, prosperity, equity and peace are all under threat. We must urgently transform our economies and societies and our relationship with nature.
UNEP is here to lead this transformation with its 193 Member States, and in partnership with other
UN agencies and stakeholders. With its experience, expertise, dynamic programmes and forward-thinking strategy, and with its dedicated staff, UNEP is uniquely positioned to be your partner in addressing and reversing the triple planetary crisis.
As UNEP relies on voluntary contributions for 95 per cent of the funding, the work is made possible by partners who fund and champion its mission.
Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with its global headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, 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.
The UNEP Regional Office for Asia Pacific (ROAP), located in Bangkok, Thailand, works closely with the countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
UNEP Country Office in India is a key development partner of the Indian government and supports national and sub-national public and private sector institutions and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive society by creating a new relationship between people and nature, and between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Task description
Under the overall supervision of the UNEP India Office Representative and with a secondary reporting line to the Project Management Officer in the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit of the Ecosystems Division headquarters in Nairobi, the Technical Specialist, Watersheds and Nature, will be an integral part of the UNEP India Office team, responsible for supporting the Ecosystems Divisions work related to fresh water and related nature portfolio in India. The incumbent will be expected to:
Support the coordination between UNEP and key stakeholders and partners in India.
Support the implementation of the Sustainable protection and restoration of rivers, wetlands, and lakes through integrated, sustainable watershed management planning in India and India project in India.
This will include local liaisons, joining relevant meetings held by stakeholders, organizing meetings between key clients including donors, UNEP project staff in India and elsewhere; ministries and implementing partners to keep them informed and connected to UNEP headquarters; identifying stakeholders for inclusion in the project and helping to ensure project implementation and completion; potential travel within India.
Help to ensure the quality and schedule of deliverables from projects partners.
Support other water-related projects and programs from the Nature Action portfolio as needed / directed by the India office.
Support the organization of capacity-building and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to UNEPs Nature portfolio.
Coordinate technical discussions and prepare written outputs, e.g. briefings, draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies related to the freshwater portfolio and support other nature portfolio related products as assigned by the India office head and participate in workshops, seminars, meetings and other events, when requested.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
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 International Volunteer Day);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
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 outputs:
As an active UNEP India Office team member liaising with the global team in the Freshwater Ecosystems and Wetlands Unit in Nairobi, it will be expected that efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support will be rendered to UNEP, its partners and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o Regular contributions to relevant UNEP internal and external meetings, reports and communications.
o Membership in teams for drafting, writing, communications or other work-related issues.
o Ensuring updated information, correct facts and regular content in communications, projects and documents.
o Making contributions to UNEPs projects, articles, reports, publications and initiatives relating to water.
o Well-organized and communicated meetings, workshops, webinars and events at the national level and contributions to regional and global events.
o Creation and maintenance of a list of relevant water and nature-related projects and experts in the country.
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A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Relevant experience
4 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in environmental-related sciences, water resources management, ecology, sustainable development or related field
Skills and experience
At least four (4) years of relevant experience working with integrated water resource management, project management, sustainable development policy implementation or environmental management;
Excellent proven written and oral communication skills (fluency) in English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and analytical skills in English;
Desired: Experience in public policies and stakeholder engagement.
Desired: Technical expertise working with multi-stakeholder processes in sustainable development and global commitments (e.g., Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs); Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), etc.).
Desired: Experience in working with the UN System at an international level.
Desired: Experience with Indias public sector institutions.
Further requirements / background needed:
Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
Ability to adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Self-motivated and independent, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Have affinity with or interest in water and environmental topics, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN System
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