Junior Environmental Outreach Officer

Mission and objectives

The UNEP Addis Ababa Office is a liaison office to the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa and Ethiopia, whose aim is to facilitate the participation of UNEP in the provision of inter-agency support to regional institutions and processes. As an accredited entity to Ethiopia, member of the UN Country Team who works with national environmental institutions, UNEP is also mandated to enhance public awareness on Environmental issues in Ethiopia by successfully organizing and developing environmental outreach programmes, as well as by mobilizing adequate resources to enhance its programme of work in Ethiopia.

Context

The UNEP Addis Ababa Liaison Office is responsible for developing partnerships with the African Union Commission (AUC) to strengthen the environmental dimension of pan-African initiatives in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Africa Union Agenda 2063. The office engages the diplomatic corps based in Ethiopia, especially the members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UN Environment Programme and keep them informed on current and emerging environmental challenges and opportunities in Africa and ongoing efforts.

In addition, the office strengthens cooperation with UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and other UN agencies through joint programming and relevant thematic areas. The office fosters a strategic partnership with the Government of Ethiopia and other partners in the country, including academic institutions, civil society organizations, youth, and the private sector, as well as facilitates UN Environment Programme operations in Ethiopia, identifying new areas of cooperation with relevant partners, in order accelerate the implementation of UNEP’s programme of work. The UNV is expected to provide support and contribute to the implementation of UNEP programmes in Ethiopia, AUC, and UNECA.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the head of the UNEP Addis Ababa Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Participate in trends and emerging issues on environment in Ethiopia, and assist in identifying existing and planned initiatives and programmes of other institutions that are relevant to UNEP programme of work, so as to enhance the capacity of the office to mobilize resources for environmental outreach programmes;

Assist in the planning and staging of special environmental events in Ethiopia (e.g. World Environment Day, International Biological Diversity Day, International Desertification Day, International Ozone Day etc.) in partnership with the UN Country Team (UNCT) members, Ethiopian environmental institutions, and the public;

• Participate in any other assignments that the office may require, such as covering relevant national/international environmental events and drafting reports to be transmitted to headquarters and/or used in newsletter(s).