Background Information – Job-specific
The Environmental Education and Training Unit oversees the education outreach and a series of youth engagement projects for UN Environment. This includes everything from engaging 820 Universities that are part of the the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability to supporting the design of online courses to share with partners. At present, the Partnership Network has over 800 universities from five different continents. UN Environment is now launching an assessment of the network and it’s online course offering to see how it can be strengthened as part of the wider Education and Youth strategy and to explore what further work could be delivered to secure transformative outcomes for young people.
Given this, a consultant is being sought to join the team to support the delivery of its programme, with a strong preference for the role to be based in Nairobi. The successful candidate will need to have a background in building networks of practice, the design and implementation of educational materials and youth outreach, with experience in advocacy and project leadership.
Objective of Assignement
To support the Environment and Education strategy by supporting the work of the Global University Partnership for Environment and Sustainability, assessing and enhancing the online course provision and support the delivery of the new Project Document
Functional Responsibilities
Scope of Work
Reporting to the Chief of the Environment and Education Training Unit, the consultant’s duties will include the following:
1) Online Course support:
UN Environment currently oversees the delivery of some 40 online courses. The candidate will be required to work with the Section Chief to:
- Collating current materials: Work with colleagues to collate existing education materials and integrate these assets into a new organisation wide online learning platform.
- Improving course commissioning: Ensure that existing courses are delivering against clear target audience targets and metrics.
- Outreach: Build new partnerships with educational establishments that area experts in this area.
2) Global University Partnership for Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) outreach:
- Work with the colleagues in UN Environment and the wider GUPES network to review and revitalize the network, with key outcomes being the delivery of a two-year strategy that would include the following outcomes:
- Core offer and incentives: Working with the Unit to consider what the core offer to bring a member of GUPES is and to collaborate with existing members as to how UN Environment can build this network of 820 Universities into a movement for action on sustainability.
- Disaggregating the list by region and specialism: Assessing the GUPES list and disaggregating the list by interest and region and recommending areas for further development.
- Funding model: Working with the team to recommend a funding model that could grow and expand the influence and impact of the network.
- Communications workplan: Recommend how the current GUPES website can be adapted and devise a communications workplan that would build awareness and visibility for the network which would include: (i). Database management: Explore how the current Database for GUPES can be improved to deliver materials in appropriate languages and scaling up the reach and influence of the network (ii). Sharing materials from UN Environment: Set up a new process for sharing reports / other materials from UN Environment to the university network. (iii). Brand and communication protocols:Reassess the current brand and communications assets and recommend how this could be enhanced.
3) Support and delivery to the wider Environment and Education Training Unit as required:
- Youth engagement: UN Environment is expanding its partnership with youth organisations such as Scouts and the gaming community, this post-holder would support the team as / when required on this brief.
- Green University Network: UN Environment is building a network of green universities, this post-holder would support this work as / when required.
- Event support: As required, this post-holder would support education related events for UN Environment, as / when required.
- Partnership outreach: Seek to bring in new partners to support the objectives of the unit as / when required.
Outputs
- UN Environment’s online courses aggregated on to one platform with a new process for commissioning online courses instituted within the organisation.
- GUPES network re-evaluated with a growth plan produced, following consultations with key partners for the next two years.
- Existing communication materials, databases and brand assets re-assessed with new mechanisms put in place to deliver the wider work.
- Contributions made to the resource mobilization strategy to support GUPES and wider deliverables for the unit
Reporting
The consultant will report to the Chief of the Environment and Education Training Unit.
Education
An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in either Political Science, Environmental Science or a Communication related field is required. A first level degree in combination with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience
The candidate should have a minimum of two-years experience in the field of communications, education or political science, ideally in an international context and with a strong track record of project management and delivery.
Fluency in English is essential.
Competencies
Integrity and Inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Leading Self and Others: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnering: Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Results Orientation: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Agility: Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Solution Focused: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Additional Considerations
- Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
- The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Background Information – UNOPS
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us
UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity
With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
Background Information – Kenya
Kenya
The UNOPS Kenya office manages more than 60 projects in around 10 countries of eastern and southern Africa. UNOPS in Kenya helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.