Liaison Officer – UNEP Governing Bodies Unit, Nairobi

About the role

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is hiring a Liaison Officer for its Governing Bodies Unit in the Governance Affairs Office, based in Nairobi. Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Governance Affairs Office, the incumbent provides secretariat support to UNEP's governing bodies and liaises with Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representatives.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and supervise secretariat services for the quarterly, subcommittee and annual meetings of the Committee of the Permanent Representative (CPR), including background documents, invitations, agendas, procedural scripts, summaries and follow-up on decisions.
• Maintain effective relationships with Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representatives, supporting the Deputy Director in preparing meetings of UNEA, the OECPR and the CPR, and responding to their requests.
• Support the planning and secretariat services for the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), including invitations, agendas, technical notes, training and follow-up.
• Prepare briefings for UNEP senior management, including on the Executive Director's official visits, and represent the Deputy Director at diplomatic functions of UNEP governing organs.
• Carry out research on procedural and political issues, collect and analyse data with visualisations, and perform other administrative duties.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in political science, international relations, environmental law, international law or a related field; alternatively a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying work experience.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, law, diplomacy, multilateral affairs, environmental governance or a related area.
• Experience in liaison with governments on sustainable development, environmental issues or multilateral environmental governance.
• Desirable: successful completion of a data analytics, business analytics or data science programme.

Required skills

• Knowledge of intergovernmental processes, rules of procedure and precedents.
• Clear communication with governments, civil society and international organisations.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data to support decision-making.