Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

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. In particular, the Freshwater and Urban Expert will provide technical support to the implementation of the water-related project “Sustainable protection and restoration of rivers, wetlands, and lakes through integrated, sustainable watershed management planning in Brazil and India.” The project aims to promote the efficient and balanced use of freshwater resources at the watershed scale, under the coordination of the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division in Nairobi. Within this framework, the consultant will contribute to technical activities such as stakeholder engagement, participation in relevant water governance working groups, and collaboration with implementing partners and government counterparts at national and subnational levels. The consultant will also support communication and knowledge management activities, including the preparation and dissemination of technical and outreach materials to enhance the project’s visibility and impact. In addition, the assignment will foster collaboration with the Climate Change Division’s Cities and Regions team to explore and support joint initiatives linking urban resilience and water ecosystem management.

Responsibilities or duties

Under the overall supervision of the Project Management Officer in the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit of the Ecosystems Division headquarters in Nairobi, and the Programme Management Officer and Lead for Cities and Regions in Climate Division, in consultation with the Head of the Freshwater Unit and other relevant colleagues across divisions and regional offices, the incumbent of the post will have to fulfil the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to UNEP’s work on freshwater ecosystem conservation, restoration, and integrated water management, contributing to the enhancement of UNEP’s freshwater portfolio, with a primary focus on the EC Sustainable Watershed Management Project.
• Support collaboration and information exchange with internal and external partners to advance the objectives of the EC project and related initiatives on sustainable watershed management, freshwater ecosystem restoration, SDG 6, and urban water management.
• Assist in the organization and facilitation of project-related meetings and knowledge-sharing events under the EC Sustainable Watershed Management Project, ensuring effective technical inputs, coordination with implementing partners, and proper documentation of discussions and results.
• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of technical and communication products derived from the EC Sustainable Watershed Management project, such as briefs, reports, presentations, visibility materials, and lessons-learned documents, ensuring clarity, quality, and alignment with UNEP’s communication standards.
• Liaise with the Climate Change Division’s Cities and Regions team to explore and contribute to the development of a joint project around cities and water ecosystems.
• Explore additional joint opportunities between the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit and the Cities & Regions team and support the development of joint proposals on water and urban resilience.
• Support the implementation of the Generation Restoration project, for example, through organizing webinars, reviewing technical materials, and contributing to other related activities as needed.

The incumbent is required to ensure full compliance with UNEP programming, financial, procurement, and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as the implementation of effective internal control systems.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in environmental conservation, ecology, biology or a closely related field is required A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience needed

• Minimum of 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the field of ecosystems conservation and restoration and/or nature-based solutions is required;
• Experience in event organization and writing outreach materials such as presentations, guidelines, briefs, and other knowledge products is required;
• Excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills is desirable
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel is desirable
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Word, Power Point, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management is required.
• Self- motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines is desirable
• Previous experience in the UN system is desirable

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

For this position Fluency in both oral and written English is required. Portuguese is desirable.

• Provide technical support to UNEP’s work on freshwater ecosystem conservation, restoration, and integrated water management, contributing to the enhancement of UNEP’s freshwater portfolio, with a primary focus on the EC Sustainable Watershed Management Project.
• Support collaboration and information exchange with internal and external partners to advance the objectives of the EC project and related initiatives on sustainable watershed management, freshwater ecosystem restoration, SDG 6, and urban water management.
• Assist in the organization and facilitation of project-related meetings and knowledge-sharing events under the EC Sustainable Watershed Management Project, ensuring effective technical inputs, coordination with implementing partners, and proper documentation of discussions and results.
• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of technical and communication products derived from the EC Sustainable Watershed Management project, such as briefs, reports, presentations, visibility materials, and lessons-learned documents, ensuring clarity, quality, and alignment with UNEP’s communication standards.
• Liaise with the Climate Change Division’s Cities and Regions team to explore and contribute to the development of a joint project around cities and water ecosystems.
• Explore additional joint opportunities between the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit and the Cities & Regions team and support the development of joint proposals on water and urban resilience.
• Support the implementation of the Generation Restoration project, for example, through organizing webinars, reviewing technical materials, and contributing to other related activities as needed.

• Excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills
• Ability to work and 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 (Word, Power Point, etc.) and email/internet
• Familiarity with database management
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision
• Ability to work with tight deadlines

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in environmental conservation, ecology, biology or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the field of ecosystems conservation and restoration and/or nature-based solutions is required.
• Experience in event organization and writing outreach materials such as presentations, guidelines, briefs, and other knowledge products is required.
• Previous experience in the UN system is desirable.