On 1 March 2019, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, with the aim to ‘prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide’. It requested the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to lead the implementation of the UN Decade, in collaboration with the Rio Conventions and other partners. The UN Decade covers terrestrial as well as coastal and marine ecosystems. A global call to action, it will draw together political support, scientific research and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration. The implementation of the Decade is guided be a Strategy (available on the UN Decade website) as well as an Advisory Board.

This post is located in UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, at the Nairobi duty station. The Coordinator will oversee the work of a small core team in FAO and UNEP, which manages the implementation of the core activities of FAO and UNEP as co-lead agencies of the Decade. She/he will also manage the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the UN Decade, based on decisions of the Executive Board of the Fund. The Coordinator will report to the UN Decade Strategy Group, a group of senior staff in FAO and UNEP.

Responsibilities

•  Provide thought leadership on the UN Decade and its implementation and represent the UN Decade lead agencies in key processes and meetings.
• Liaise with and represent the lead agencies vis-à-vis donors, Member States, collaborating organizations and other partner organizations, and at key events.
•  Coordinate the planning and implementation of the work of the FAO and UNEP core team, including leading the Secretariat for the Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
• Report progress, results and outcomes of the UN Decade to main donors and oversee the preparation of an annual update report to the High- Level Political Forum, and oversee the preparation of the Secretary-General’s report on the UN Decade to the UN General Assembly at its 81st session.
• Report on the UN Decade and its implementation, and on the funding allocated, to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF).
• Provide guidance and leadership on the UN Decade to FAO and UNEP staff.
• Support processes and coordinate meetings of the Advisory Board; meetings with core Global Partners and Collaborating Agencies; and meetings of the Executive Board of the MPTF.
• Ensure implementation of MPTF’s Executive Board decisions relevant to UNEP and FAO.
• Represent the UN Decade in key internal FAO and UNEP strategy processes.
• Coordinate UN Decade fundraising efforts including in particular efforts to increase donations to the UN Decade Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
• Perform other duties as required or requested by the UN Decade Strategy Group and as necessary for UN Agency coordination.