Mission and objectives

Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the 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 mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.

Context

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 Communication Division communicates UNEP’s core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide. This position is located in UNEP’s News Media unit which leads corporate news media engagement across the organization

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the News and Media Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Draft press releases, media responses, advisories and other material for publishing in news media outlets and UNEP channels; • Prepare regular analytics reports on UNEP’s news media activity; • Support media engagement for UNEP digital campaigns • Identify opportunities for media interviews for UNEP spokespeople; • Monitor the UNEP Newsdesk email account for questions from journalists; • Support media accreditation and registration for environmental negotiations, UNEA-7 etc. • Conduct research on news media developments and analytics tactics; • Participate in and conduct staff trainings on various elements of news media work; • Coordinate with UNEP’s account managers and pillar leads to ensure effective integration of news media aspects into comms activities as required; • Upload press releases on the website • Serve as the news media monitoring focal point for report launches and other initiatives • Liaise with UNEP Regional Offices as necessary. • Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies and values

• Communication • Planning and organizing • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO). Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP. The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.