Programme Specialist – Environment and Climate

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) operates in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and promote sustainability. In this challenging environment, building partnerships is crucial to achieving the UNDP’s goals and engaging various institutions in both the private and public sectors.

Context

Gabon hosts nearly 12% of the Congo Basin’s forests and is recognised for its low-carbon sustainable development policy, with a network of protected areas covering 11% of its territory and strong commitments under the Paris Agreement. Through the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), Gabon receives results-based payments rewarding its efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, and, since joining the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) in 2025, benefits from World Economic Forum support to develop a National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) roadmap to reduce plastic pollution. These initiatives, together with resources mobilised from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other partners, form UNDP Gabon’s Environment and Climate portfolio, covering climate governance, sustainable urban transformation, waste management, forest and biodiversity governance, and nature-positive development. Beyond direct project support, UNDP Gabon provides strategic advice to the Government on carbon markets, climate finance, circular economy and community-based interventions. Working closely with Government counterparts, donors and civil society, the UN Volunteer will support the implementation of this portfolio, contributing to project management, technical advisory services, resource mobilisation and knowledge management, under the guidance of an experienced programme team.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Supporting the implementation of projects within the Environment and Climate portfolio:

• Support the timely delivery of key deliverables under projects within the Environment and Climate portfolio, through effective collaboration with Government counterparts, donors, and stakeholders;
• Act as National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP) Manager, including coordination with the Global Plastics Action Partnership, management of NPAP Secretariat and activities;
• Assist national counterparts in the functioning of project governance mechanisms (Steering Committees, Local Project Appraisal Committees);
• Ensure that Annual Workplans (AWP), Budgets, and Procurement plans as well as Project Risk Registers, Project Quality Assurance, and Project Social and Environmental Standards Plans are developed as per donor agreements, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implementing partner requirements; ensure and monitor their implementation.
• Contribute to the development of Terms of Reference for consultants and support recruitment and performance assessment processes;
• Provide sound technical advice to the design and delivery of stakeholder engagement activities and capacity building interventions;
• Support project results planning, monitoring, and reporting in line with donor requirements and UNDP corporate systems.
• Ensure the projects’ full compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, including audit requirements; provide prompt follow-up to audit recommendations.
• Serve as focal point for the application of UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), providing safeguards guidance and quality assurance across UNDP Gabon’s programme portfolio. Contributing to technical advisory services in Environment and Climate:
• Contribute to the provision of evidence-based advice to Government and partners on environment, climate, and waste management policy, legal, and regulatory issues;
• Contribute technical expertise to national strategic planning and policy development efforts;
• Support the design and delivery of UNDP technical assistance to Government counterparts;
• Contribute technical inputs to the development of the NPAP National Action Roadmap and related strategic documents;
• Help identify synergies between environment, climate, and waste management initiatives and other UNDP programme areas. Supporting resource mobilisation:
• Provide donor intelligence in the areas of environment, climate, and waste management;
• Initiate, formulate, and effectively follow through resource mobilisation initiatives targeting private, non-profit, and public sector partners, both domestic and external, in the areas of environment, climate, and waste management;
• Support the Country Office’s engagement with bilateral and multilateral partners for resource mobilisation purposes;
• Build networks and partnerships with domestic and external private and public organisations/entities/institutions to foster technical, financial, and programmatic collaboration;
• Identify strategic investment partners and opportunities for plastic action, in support of NPAP resource mobilisation efforts. Contributing to knowledge management:
• Keep abreast of relevant developments in environment, climate, and waste management policy, programming, and funding;
• Contribute to internal knowledge management processes, including monitoring and evaluation exercises, and foster strategic learning in the areas of environment, climate, and waste management;
• Identify lessons learned and good practices from project implementation that can be replicated, shared, or upscaled;
• Contribute to the design and dissemination of knowledge products and communication activities related to the NPAP and more broadly to the Environment and Climate portfolio. The UN Volunteer will perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office. During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Competencies and values

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Communication Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Leadership Planning and Organizing Professionalism Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Located in Central Africa, Gabon is endowed with significant natural resources. With a coast-line on the Atlantic Ocean, it is bordered by Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. Despite its vast territory, mainly forested, Gabon had only 2.31 million inhabitants in 2021. Gabon's level of urbanization is among the highest in Africa, with more than 80% of its popula-tion living in urban areas. The two main cities, Libreville and Port-Gentil, are home to nearly 59% of the population. Youth is a distinctive feature of its demographics: half of the population is under 20 years old. Fertility rates remain high, with an average of four children per woman in urban areas and up to six in rural areas. Gabon is a pioneer in environmental issues and is actively working to protect its rainforest, making it a net carbon sink and advocate for carbon neutrality initiatives. Its diverse ecosys-tem offers fertile soils, abundant coastal resources, and rich fisheries. However, despite this economic potential, the country continues to face challenges in translating its resource wealth into sustainable and inclusive growth. In April 2025, Gabon held presidential elections marking the end of the political transition. Brice Oligui Nguema, a civilian candidate, was elected President of the Gabonese Republic. Since then, the country has embarked on a new institutional phase, driven by a revised constitution and ambitious reforms aimed at strengthening governance and reviving the economy. This development reflects a clear desire to consolidate national stability and to usher in an era of confidence, conducive to investment and sustainable development.