Dec 14, UNEP Policy Specialist – Climate & Food Systems Jobs in Kenya

Purpose:

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.

The Law Division is the lead division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance and related policy issues, including those pertaining to the coherent implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

Dealing with challenges of climate change will require a transformation of our food systems—demanding major policy reform, substantial investment, and an enabling environment that fosters and embraces innovation. Based on the IPCC Report in 2021 and outcomes of the Food Systems Summit, we need to focus on a combination of science, policy and legal overhaul of food systems that will not only concentrate on global challenges but also focus on building local resilience.

These include, improved governance systems, improved and resilient food production systems, sustainable value chains, social inclusion, expanding the diversity of food basket and financing.

MEAs are core legal instruments for protecting the environment and securing human well-being. They are key tools for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. Their implementation, however, remains a challenge in many countries. Increasingly, global policy discussions have highlighted the urgent need for carefully planned and coordinated action to address the environmental challenges in an integrated manner. In this context, there is a need for coherent, and synergistic approaches in the implementation of MEAs to address the intertwined challenges at the country level.

Documenting such approaches will provide best practices for Member States and other stakeholders to further support action in achieving the SDGs. The opportunities provided through MEAs, for example, to deal with the science-policy-legal interplay needs to be captured at appropriate scale and time.

This position is located in the Environmental Policy Unit of the Law Division, UNEP based in Nairobi, Kenya. The consultant will work under the guidance of Balakrishna Pisupati, Head of Environmental Policy Unit in close consultation with the relevant experts in the Environmental Conventions and Policy Branch as well as the other

relevant UNEP Divisions and the MEA Secretariats.

Specifically, the consultant is expected to:

Provide a brief analysis on how the mandates and objectives of the MEAs in the section 2 above are linked to sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Develop a simple conceptual framework for food systems issues, responding to climate change and biodiversity loss.

Develop 2-3 approaches for science-policy-law interfaces that can help countries achieve food self-reliance and resilience.

Assess the common solutions identified by scientific bodies Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC), the International Resource Panel and other relates scientific bodies) that can be considered as entry points for enhancing synergies and cooperation amongst MEAs to promote sustainable agriculture and transforming food systems that will upscale solutions to tackle the triple planetary crisis.

Identify and provide policy recommendations for effective and coherent MEAs implementation that have high potential impact for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, law or closely related area of study is required.

Ten years experience required in technical knowledge of synergies between the climate, food systems and biodiversity clusters in the context of sustainable development.

Working knowledge of the UN system and specifically the work of UNEP and MEAs secretariats is desirable.

Experience conducting research and advising governments and international organizations on issues related to environmental governance is required.

Special Knowledge and Skills

Excellent writing and communications skills.

Excellent research and analytical skills

Results focused.

Clear and concise communication.

Demonstrated capacity to work in a consultative manner, good networking, and good inter-personal skills.

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UNEP Policy Specialist – Climate & Food Systems Jobs in Kenya

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