Junior Consultant - Programme Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The organization is dedicated to coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus, keeping the global environment under review, and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP operates globally, with a focus on various environmental issues, and works with numerous stakeholders including governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote sustainable practices.

Job Overview:
The Junior Consultant/Individual Contractor will provide essential technical, coordination, monitoring, reporting, analytical, and knowledge-management support to enhance the effective implementation of UNEP’s Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme. This role is crucial for ensuring that the initiatives align with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) for 2026–2029 and the Programme of Work (PoW) for 2026–202

• The consultant will be responsible for updating the project portfolio and pipeline tracking, conducting portfolio reviews, ensuring quality assurance of project concepts and documents, and providing guidance on Integrated Project Management Reporting (IPMR) workflows. Additionally, the consultant will develop planning and monitoring tools, consolidate corporate and donor reporting inputs, prepare governance briefing materials, analyze program interlinkages and strategic priorities, organize and document coordination meetings and pollution dialogues, follow up on action points, maintain a knowledge repository, and prepare synthesis briefs on lessons learned, good practices, challenges, and opportunities across the portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Junior Consultant include:

• Providing technical support for the Chemicals and Pollution Action Subprogramme, ensuring effective coordination and implementation of pollution action initiatives.
• Collaborating closely with various UNEP divisions, subprogrammes, and regional offices to promote coherence and synergies across pollution-related activities.
• Supporting strategic planning and monitoring of the portfolio, including tracking project progress and outcomes.
• Conducting quality assurance of project concepts and documentation to ensure alignment with UNEP’s strategic objectives.
• Developing and maintaining planning and monitoring tools to facilitate effective project management.
• Consolidating inputs for corporate and donor reporting, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Preparing governance briefing materials and analysis of program interlinkages and strategic priorities.
• Organizing and documenting coordination meetings and pollution dialogues, ensuring follow-up on action points.
• Maintaining a comprehensive knowledge repository to support knowledge management efforts. 1
• Preparing synthesis briefs that capture lessons learned, good practices, challenges, and opportunities across the portfolio.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a master’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resources management, engineering, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with at least 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates must have at least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in programme coordination, strategic planning, monitoring and reporting, or environmental programme implementation. Experience in areas such as chemicals, pollution, waste management, circular economy, environmental governance, and GEF chemicals and waste programming is preferred. Prior experience with development projects in environmental contexts, particularly in developing countries, is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental sciences, natural resources management, engineering, or international development. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience, specifically at least 2 years in a related area.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as programme coordination, strategic planning, monitoring and reporting, or environmental programme implementation. Experience in specific areas like chemicals, pollution, waste management, and circular economy is highly desirable, as is familiarity with development projects and environmental issues in developing countries.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of another UN language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the consultancy is 6 months. The position is not associated with any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and the United Nations does not request any financial information from applicants, including bank account details. This position is likely to be full-time, although specific details regarding contract duration and seniority level are not provided.