The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. The Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science provides strategic coordination of science advice that informs the organization's decisions, policies, interventions and publications. In this capacity, the Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science performs the functions with the support of the Office of Science. The Office for Science provides timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental assessments, data, analytics, intelligence and information for policy-setting, decision- making and action planning for sustainable development. It monitors, analyses and reports on the state of the global environment, assessing policies and trends and providing support to early warning services on environmental variables and emerging environmental threats. It spearheads UN-wide monitoring and reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. This position is located in the Office of Science of the UN Environment Programme at the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will be a member of the UNEP Senior Management Team (SMT). Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science reports to the Executive Director. Within delegated authority, Chief Scientist and the Director of the Office of Science will be responsible for the following:

Key Responsibilities:

• Programme Leadership: Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of the Office, set priorities, and allocate resources to ensure outputs/results are delivered on time, in coordination with other UNEP divisions and offices.
• Operational Oversight: Oversee activities contributing to the UNEP Programme of Work and Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), including preparation, execution, and monitoring of the office budget. Assign and monitor performance parameters, critical indicators, and other administrative tasks.
• Coordination and Delivery: Ensure activities are carried out in a timely manner. Coordinate work across the Office and other UNEP divisions in line with UNEP’s delivery model. Collaborate with UN agencies, donors, and UNEP Regional Offices to support UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, following the principles of “One UNEP.”
• Reporting: Coordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for donors, the UNEP Environment Assembly, UN intergovernmental bodies, and other scientific forums. Report on budget, programme performance, and substantive issues to UNEP Senior Management and relevant intergovernmental bodies, particularly through biannual or annual reports.
• Staff Management: Manage, guide, develop, and train staff. Foster teamwork, communication, and collaboration both within the Office and across UNEP.
• Representation and Advocacy: Chair meetings and seminars on substantive issues. Represent UNEP at international, regional, and inter-agency meetings, providing programmatic expertise and engaging with representatives of other institutions as needed.
• Resource Mobilization: Work with Regional Offices to secure funding from global and regional sources. Allocate financial and human resources effectively to deliver results aligned with UNEP’s strategic objectives.
• Project Oversight: Ensure effective engagement with all UNEP Offices for co-designed projects containing regional and national components. Maintain accountability for the delivery of project results within the division’s mandate and expertise.
• Scientific Leadership: As Chief Scientist, advise UNEP on scientific priorities, emerging issues, and ensure the credibility and quality of data, information, knowledge, and products. Lead foresight, analysis, and intelligence initiatives, providing updates, research papers, and syntheses on new scientific issues to the Senior Management Team and organization-wide as needed.
• Other Duties: Perform additional relevant tasks as assigned.