Result of ServiceTo deliver high-impact technical and coordination support to ensure the successful implementation of the South Sudan component of the JSB project. By leading circular economy pilot initiatives, facilitating knowledge-sharing or south-south cooperation exchanges, and contributing to regional or intergovernmental policy dialogue, and strengthen national responses to plastic pollution. This will be through timely donor reporting, strategic partner engagement, and integration of project outcomes into UN Country Team processes, in addition contribute to enhanced institutional capacity and elevate the visibility of Japan-funded circular economy solutions across Africa. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration8 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground 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 Regional Office for Africa and its Industry and Economy Division are collaborating to implement a plastics project on “Tackling the adverse impacts of linear plastic economy and pollution to address the water and sanitation crisis in Nigeria and South Sudan” funded by the Government of Japan under the 2024-2025 Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB). The project seeks to identify safe, affordable, and reusable packaging solutions for drinking water and other relevant products, to reduce plastic pollution and address humanitarian and health crisis, through a circular economy approach. Given the substantial environmental and socio-economic ramifications of plastic pollution, immediate action is imperative to mitigate its effects. The project aligns with the UNEP Plastics Initiative, contributing to activities aimed at inspiring industry action, enabling regulatory frameworks, providing baseline assessments, activating behavior change, and enhancing knowledge and capacity. It supports the establishment and improvement of systems for value recovery from plastics, development of circular economy policies, assessment and monitoring of plastic pollution, awareness-raising campaigns, and monitoring and evaluation activities. The project leverages UNEP's expertise and partnerships to inform and engage stakeholders across the plastic value chain, integrates circular economy principles, and aligns with ongoing UNEP plastic projects in Africa. It also synergizes with regional and national initiatives to achieve transformative changes in plastic pollution management. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) of South Sudan and other key relevant stakeholders. UNEP Regional Office for Africa will provide project oversight and support for the South Sudan component of the project. The project’s South Sudan component has the following outputs that will guide the delivery of the project component: • Engage the informal sector to create green jobs for women and youth in South Sudan through a scale-up of circular and affordable solutions in reuse, refill and recycling system (Project Output 2) • Foster south-south cooperation and cross-region learning to enhance sustainable plastic pollution management capacity in Africa (Project Output 3) Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent will support the Project Focal Point in carrying out the following duties: • Preparing feasibility assessments and supporting pilot projects for reuse/refill solutions in collaboration with women- and youth-led enterprises. • Providing technical guidance to SMEs in identifying and overcoming barriers to adopting circular practices, particularly integrating reuse and refill into business models. • Coordinating capacity-building activities and co-developing training materials for plastic-to-brick production targeting youth and women. • Liaising/Coordinating with government entities (e.g., Ministry of Environment and Forestry), UN agencies (e.g., UNMISS), local communities, NGOs, and private sector partners to build and maintain strategic partnerships. • Supporting development of south-south cooperation initiatives and knowledge-sharing exchanges on circular economy and plastic pollution solutions. Facilitating regional training workshops for negotiators and technical experts on circular economy and plastics treaty processes. • Overseeing design and implementation of knowledge exchange programmes on plastic waste management, including learning from Japan and other international partners. • Preparing awareness-raising materials and community case studies to highlight project outcomes and local innovations. • Drafting technical reports, narrative updates, and visibility products for UNEP and donor reporting. • Preparing policy briefs and technical documents to inform national and regional policy discussions, including for AMCEN and other high-level events. • Providing policy and technical assistance to senior decision-makers and negotiators to support political momentum on plastic pollution management. Development of knowledge products capturing lessons learned, success stories, and opportunities for replication and scaling. • Development of baseline data collection frameworks, mid-term reviews, and monitoring tools to assess project impact. • Contributing to quarterly and final project reports, including risk assessments and recommendations for corrective action. • Following up with the UN Country Team and UNRC structure to ensure project alignment with national priorities and facilitate input into Common Country Assessments (CCAs). • Liaising/coordinating with other sub-programmes in Africa Office and UNEP Divisions and Offices in providing scientific and technical support and advice to the project. • Organizing and maintaining information and knowledge management database of the project. • Researching, compiling, evaluating and analyzing information and data on plastic pollution management and sharing such knowledge with stakeholders and partners. • Monitoring, backstopping and assessing the implementation of the project, including delivery of services for quality control. • Monitoring reporting by providing prompt feedback on the contents of the report and consolidating progress reports, terminal reports and participating in evaluation for projects. Preparing briefing notes, inputs to speeches and similar material for the project. • Developing and maintaining close communication and relations with project stakeholders. • Other duties as required, including administrative tasks related to the assigned substantive activities, as may be assigned by the Project Focal Point. Qualifications/special skillsAn Advanced University degree, in Environmental Science, Environmental Governance, Project Management, Social Sciences or related field. Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project and/or programme management, with a broad range of sustainable development issues in the African region, working with governments and civil society in environment and natural resources management is required. Proven experience in designing and implementing circular economy solutions in developing country contexts, particularly through identifying reuse opportunities and addressing systemic barriers, with a dedicated focus on enabling Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt and scale sustainable practices is required Experience in developing public education and awareness materials on plastic pollution and circular economy practices tailored to country-specific contexts related to Africa is desirable Extensive experience in donor engagement, including drafting progress updates and final technical reports that align with UNEP and external donor requirements is required. Prior involvement in projects funded by the Government of Japan or implemented under the Japan Supplementary Budget is considered a significant asset. Demonstrated experience organizing and facilitating capacity-building and knowledge-sharing sessions for African stakeholders, particularly negotiators involved in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the global plastic treaty is required. Proven experience convening knowledge exchange programmes that foster regional collaboration, including south-south learning and joint engagements with Japanese stakeholders to share lessons and best practices on circular plastic economy is required. Strong ability to draft concise, informative policy briefs and technical reports, and provide technical guidance to high-level decision-makers—including policymakers, and senior negotiators—to garner political support and inform regional platforms such as the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), particularly on initiatives targeting plastic pollution management is required. Experience working within the UN Country Team system and effectively communicating project results to the UNRC structure. Experience facilitating update of Common Country Assessments (CCAs) to include plastic pollution action is desirable LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.