Executive Secretary D2 Job at UNEP

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• Job Opening ID: 274026
• Job Network : Management and Administration
• Job Family : Administration
• Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, D-2
• Duty Station : NAIROBI
• Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
• Date Posted : Mar 24, 2026
• Deadline : May 7, 2026

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Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Parties to the Vienna Convention (VC) for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985) and its Montreal Protocol (MP) on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987), designated UNEP as the Secretariat for these two international agreements in 1989. The Secretariat for the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol (Ozone Secretariat) is a small secretariat but highly effective and efficient, facilitating the implementation of the ozone treaties by the parties. This post is located in UNEP/Ozone Secretariat at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director of UNEP, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

Responsibilities

• 1. Providing accurate and wise thematic advice to the parties to the Montreal Protocol (MP) and Vienna Convention (VC), as well as to the technical bodies of the two agreements and relevant partner organizations and stakeholders in the form of meeting documents, consultations, reports or other media.
• 2. Conducting high level negotiations and persuasion when necessary to expedite the implementation of the MP, VC and decisions of the parties.
• 3. Organizing the meetings under the MP and VC including those of the subsidiary bodies and ad hoc workshops, ensuring that strategic direction and associated planning are in place for every meeting, holding necessary consultations with the parties and other stakeholders to prioritize issues and achieve the goals of the treaties.
• 4. Delivering statements and providing other information in the international meetings related to the environment at the policy level, on issues related to the ozone layer as a whole and the synergies amongst Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), in particular on ozone-climate interface, chemicals-pollution-waste front, life-cycle management of substances and equipment, trade-related issues and on the implementation of relevant policies.
• 5. Creating and maintaining cordial diplomatic links with high level government officials and staff of other international organisations is needed; as well as establishing and maintaining partnerships with other MEAs and relevant UN/international organizations to explore synergies and collaborative actions in areas of common concerns is needed.
• 6. Creating and maintaining functional reporting systems for the production and consumption of controlled Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS); analysing data from the 198 Parties, identifying non-compliance and preparing reports and action plans; maintaining and updating the various information reported by the parties and compiling, analysing and reporting on the information as appropriate.
• 7. Reviewing decisions to form a work programme for the Secretariat; managing the work programme; negotiating, coordinating and agreeing on the necessary actions with other organisations implementing the decisions.
• 8. In consultation with the Bureaux of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) and of the Conference of the Parties (COP), and the co-chairs of the Open-ended Working Group, agreeing on the substantive agenda of the meetings through coordination with host governments, the Conference Services and other units and partners involved in organising meetings of the Ozone Treaties.
• 9. Participating in the assessment process as an expert member or ex-officio as appropriate; providing the necessary organizational support and substantive advice to the assessment bodies; ensuring high quality reporting back to the Parties.
• 10. Developing the management strategy for the Ozone Secretariat; providing leadership to all staff and managing the resources of the Ozone Secretariat. 11. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of interactions among biodiversity, land degradation, desertification and restoration. Good understanding of the drivers of biodiversity loss. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Empowering others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, natural sciences, environmental management, economics, business/public administration or related disciplines is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional working experience, some of which is at national level with links to the international processes on environment; together with at least five (5) years professional experience at the international level is required
• Experience in facilitation and moderation of intergovernmental processes is required.
• Knowledge of the Montreal Protocol and experience in its implementation is required.
• Experience in the UN system or other international organizations is desirable.
• Experience in handling a multidisciplinary portfolio of tasks and duties and the ability to lead a team of specialists in interdisciplinary effort is desirable
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II

Desirable Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
French	UN Level I	UN Level I	UN Level I	UN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

The estimated annual salary for an Executive Secretary (D-2 level) position at UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya, is between $200,763 USD and $241,971 USD, Monthly Salary: Approximately KSh 2.1 million to KSh 2.6 million.

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