Deputy Director, Programme, D1 at United Nations Environment Programme

Jobs in Kenya, Program Management Jobs, UN Jobsc,

• Job Opening ID: 284950
• Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
• Job Family : Programme Management
• Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, D-1
• Recruitment Type : Position Specific Job Openings – Fixed Term LimitedDuty Station : NAIROBI
• Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
• Date Posted : Oct 3, 2026
• Deadline : Nov 1, 2026

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. UNEP’s Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law and environmental governance. The Law Division promotes the contribution of environmental dimension of sustainable development through law, national and international governance and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the Law Division’s work focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive development of environmental law; strengthening international environmental governance; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among UNEP, in implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals and goals of MEAs; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance. This position is located in UNEP’s Law Division, Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of the Director Law division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Support the Director in the management and administration of the Division: undertake and supervise the day-to-day management and administration of the Division; serve as officer in charge in the absence of the Director; coordinate with the relevant offices on handling of management and administrative issues and for delivery of programmatic outputs and services.
• Serve as Principal Legal Advisor: Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of relevant legal instruments and institutional arrangements in the field of the environment, recommend ways to handle legal issues concerned, and undertake or direct necessary actions.
• Promote and catalyze actions by Governments for their implementation of internationally agreed environmental goals and objectives through development and implementation of environmental law and strengthening of relevant institutions at the international and national levels.
• Direct staff to analyze emerging and important policy issues in the environmental dimension of sustainable development, recommend legal and institutional response measures to address such issues, and direct and coordinate staff to promote the development and implementation of such measures in response to 2030 Development Agenda.
• Oversee the planning, monitoring and implementation of the administration of human resources; directs the development of the Programme of Work of the Division and monitor its implementation, direct, supervise and manage performance of staff.
• Serving as the legal advisor for intergovernmental meeting and conferences, including the governing body of UNEP, intergovernmental negotiating committees and conferences of plenipotentiaries on an international environmental treaty, other intergovernmental meetings and conferences convened by UNEP as well as the conferences of parties to the selected multilateral environmental agreements, and providing legal advice on substantive and procedural legal issues.
• Developing policies and strategies to implement the mandate of UNEP in the field of environmental law, including the Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme), and direct staff to plan and execute required actions, including through projects.
• Coordinating with other UN bodies, funds and programmes and specialized agencies, other intergovernmental bodies and organizations, secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements and relevant non-governmental organizations, expert institutions, academia and other relevant stakeholders to promote coherent policies, strategies and initiatives for the development and implementation of environmental law and strengthening of institutions, and to enhance cooperation, collaborations and synergy in the relevant areas.
• 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. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of environmental law, legal procedures and instruments, including multilateral environmental agreements. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex legal issues in the field of the environment. Knowledge of areas being supervised. 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&

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 improvements; 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.

VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in international law, international environmental law or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of study in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university 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 experience in development and implementation of international law with proven experience in international environmental law is required. Experience at the international level, at least five (5) years of which should be at the United Nations or a similar international organization is required. Experience in financial and human resources management in the United Nations or other similar international organizations is required. Experience in institutional legal matters related to managing legal processes of international organizations 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. 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