Chief of Branch, Programme – UNEP

JOBS IN KENYA, UN JOBS, UNEP JOBS

• Job Opening ID: 260946
• Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
• Job Family : Programme Management
• Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, D-1
  Duty Station : NAIROBI
• Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
• Date Posted : Aug 11, 2025
• Deadline : Aug 24, 2025

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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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Ecosystems Division, Marine and Freshwater Branch at the Nairobi duty station. The activities of the Branch include the overall implementation of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions on oceans and freshwater, the global agenda on marine and freshwater ecosystems and work in close collaboration with the Regional Seas Branch. Under the overall guidance of the Division Director and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

A) Delivery of the Marine and Freshwater Branch work programme by:

• Developing and advocating innovative concepts and tools designed to improve or re-orient marine and coastal ecosystems in coordination with the Regional Seas Branch guided by the organization’s policy objectives and competencies.
• Leading, organizing and/or participating in substantive discussions, meetings, and conferences and representing the Branch at international, regional or national meetings and intergovernmental meetings in liaison with the Regional Seas Branch and providing programmatic and substantive expertise on issues related to marine and coastal ecosystems. This will include follow-up to and reporting on corporate and intergovernmental meetings decisions.
• Coordinating and supervising development and implementation of activities and projects and enhancing coordination with the Secretariats of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans to deliver the ocean strategy on behalf of UNEP.
• Overseeing the preparation and quality of reports for presentation to senior management, the UN Environment Assembly or other policy-making bodies.
• Ensuring coordination across UNEP for coherence in delivery of the UNEP ocean strategy including regular reporting to Governments.
• Establishing and maintaining inter-linkages and partnerships with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) secretariats, relevant UN and non-UN agencies.
• Establishing external contacts and partnerships with governments and international agencies for the purpose of improving collaboration and coherence in delivery of marine and coastal ecosystems activities.
• Reporting on the status of implementation of the work programme regularly as scheduled by the UN reporting requirements.
• 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.

B) Coordination and management of the Branch by:

• Allocating, monitoring and reporting on financial and human resources, justifying administrative budget proposals and work plans.
• Managing staff performance to ensure ongoing professional development and continued learning. .
• Guiding and supporting managers and other staff in meeting their objectives and outputs; fostering teamwork and communication in the unit and across organizational boundaries.
• Supervising the coordination and coherence of the Branch with those of the Regional Seas Branch.

C) Fundraising by:

• Determining and recommending the viability of environmental projects and programme elements, negotiating suitable arrangements and project financing; initiating the mobilization of resources for programme activities in particular sectors, regions or countries.
• Negotiating with high-level representatives of UN agencies, the Global Environment Fund (GEF) Secretariat, multilateral and bilateral donors, and non-governmental organizations to ensure the coherence, coordination and integration of the project planning process and the effective achievement of related objectives.
• Advising governments, non-governmental organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies on resource utilization, funding patterns and trends and on priorities for environmental programme/project activities and evaluating and developing alternative funding sources.

D) Performing other related duties as may be requested for the delivery of the unit’s work-plan.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches related to marine and coastal ecosystems. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to provide technical and substantive support in the field of environmental management, development and mastery of marine biology or coastal ecosystems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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.

JUDGMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision, and; makes tough decisions when necessary.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Marine Sciences or discipline related to the work of marine biology and/or coastal ecosystems, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two 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 project/programme management in the context of marine and coastal ecosystems or related area is required. Three (3) years in a supervisory capacity is required. Demonstrated experience in managing the performance of teams and staff with specialist expertise is required. Five (5) years’ experience at the international level is desirable. Experience in driving global and regional strategies relating to marine and freshwater ecosystems is desirable Experience mobilizing resources in an international environment 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 the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable. NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

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