In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.
UNDP partners with the host government, civil society including the business community, the United Nations system, the development partners and other development actors to help the country achieve sustainable development including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.
The team converges around the planning, design, implementation and quality assurance of an integrated programme in a fast-paced environment. Fostering strategic partnerships and alliances with diverse stakeholders requires a team that approaches work with energy, innovation and strong client orientation.
As Kenya undergoes political, economic and social transition underpinned by a progressive Constitution, its extractive sectors present a significant opportunity for economic growth and human development, alongside risks of conflict, environmental degradation, and inequitable benefit-sharing if poorly governed. Responsible governance of the extractive sector is a key priority under Kenya's Vision 2030, and UNDP Kenya has worked with the Government since 2013 to strengthen the legal, policy, and institutional framework for the sector, including support to the enactment of the Mining Act 2016.
Building on this foundation, UNDP Kenya implements the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP) for Sustainable Natural Resource Management, a joint Swedish EPA-UNDP global initiative funded by Sida that draws on combined governance, environmental, and extractive-sector expertise to integrate environmental protection, human rights, and gender equality into the governance of mining and related extractive industries. The EGP works at the nexus of environment and human rights, addressing the drivers of conflict, environmental degradation, inequality, and exclusion associated with large-scale extractives, and supports exchange of innovative policy approaches across EGP partner countries through South-South cooperation. In Kenya, the programme works closely with national and county government institutions, civil society organizations, communities in resource-rich areas, and development partners, and engages with global platforms such as the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) and relevant UN agencies.
In this context, UNDP Kenya is seeking to recruit a Project Officer to support Environmental Governance Programme (EGP). The incumbent will ensure effective implementation of EGP projects, monitoring, and reporting of project activities to ensure they meet targets, budget, and quality standards. Key responsibilities include coordinating stakeholders, preparing documentation, reporting and supporting capacity-building initiative, in alignment with UNDP rules and regulations.
- Support implementation of the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP), ensuring activities are delivered in line with the approved workplan, budget, and results framework.
- Provide technical oversight on integrating environmental, social, gender, and human-rights safeguards into the governance of the mining and extractive sectors, including support to ESIA processes and policy or legal reviews.
Identify implementation risks and bottlenecks and propose timely mitigation measures in consultation with the Team Lead ERU and Policy Advisor-Environment.
- Coordinate and regularly meet with Swepa and UNDP HQ team
- Provide strategic and technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation.
- Coordinate Kenya's participation in South-South cooperation and peer-learning exchanges with other EGP partner countries and resource-rich nations, facilitating the sharing of policy approaches, tools, and lessons learned.
- Document and disseminate case studies, good practices, and knowledge products arising from South-South exchanges for use by Kenyan government counterparts and stakeholders.
- Map and engage potential government, private sector, and development partner entry points for resource mobilization in the NRM and Environmental Governance space.
- Draft concept notes, partnership briefs, and funding proposals, and support donor and private-sector engagement to expand and sustain the EGP and related NRM portfolio.
- Draft high-quality progress, donor, and annual reports, briefing notes, and knowledge products, in line with UNDP corporate requirements and reporting timelines.
- Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), including data collection, indicator tracking, field monitoring visits, and updates to UNDP's corporate M&E systems.
- Work in close coordination with the UNDP focal points and to co-develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting.
- Support implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results.
- Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place.
- In close coordination with technical focal points and project teams ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
- Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
- Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.
The Project Officer works under the general supervision of UNDP Environment and Resilience Unit team lead and collaborates closely with the UNDP HQ, Swedish EPA based in Stockholm and Kenya, UNDP technical teams and project Coordinators.
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
System Thinking and Innovation
Knowledge Facilitation
Project Management
Communication
Working with Evidence and Data
Relationship Management
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Development Studies, International Relations, Project Management or related field is required, OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/or leading and managing projects.
- Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.
Proven knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
- Knowledge and experience in relevant project management.
- Fluency in English and Swahili is required.
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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