The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has seven active vacancies closing between 30 April and 16 May 2026 — spanning entry-level UNV assignments, mid-level programme roles, and senior director-level positions across Nairobi, Paris, Pretoria, and remote. Several deadlines fall this week. Here’s everything you need to know about each role before you apply.
🌱 Early-Career Roles (0–3 Years Experience)
Information Systems Specialist, Corporate Services Division | National UNV
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Nairobi, Kenya 📅 30 April 2026 — CLOSES TODAY 📄 National UN Volunteer (UNV) assignment 💰 UNV monthly living allowance (non-salaried; volunteer modality)
What the role involves
This UNV assignment sits within UNEP’s Corporate Services Division (CSD), Enterprise Solutions Section — the unit responsible for ICT systems and business process automation supporting UNEP’s programme delivery. You’ll maintain and improve the UNEA Monitoring and Reporting Portal, implement Azure AD integration for member state logins, embed Power BI dashboards into Confluence, and provide technical support to the weCollaborate intranet platform.
Requirements
- First-level university degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience in IT systems, web applications, or digital solutions
- Fluency in English required
- Experience with SharePoint, Confluence, Power BI, or Azure AD is a strong advantage
- Kenyan nationals or those eligible to serve as national UNVs in Kenya should apply
Apply for the Information Systems Specialist UNV role →
Programme Management Assistant, Ecosystems Division | G5
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Nairobi, Kenya 📅 8 May 2026 📄 Fixed-term staff appointment, General Service G5 💰 UN local salary scale, Nairobi (G5 Nairobi rates apply)
What the role involves
This is a programme support role within UNEP’s Ecosystems Division. At G5 level, you’ll provide administrative and programme coordination support — scheduling, document management, data tracking, and assisting Programme Officers with implementation follow-up and reporting.
Requirements
- First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent)
- Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in programme administration or related support functions
- Fluency in English required
- Knowledge of additional UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese) is an advantage
- Strong organisational skills and familiarity with UN or INGO administrative processes preferred
Apply for the Programme Management Assistant G5 role →
Data Visualisation Specialist, IPBES | Consultancy (Remote)
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Remote — open to applicants worldwide 📅 7 May 2026 📄 Individual consultancy contract 💰 Consultancy daily/lump-sum rate (to be confirmed at contracting stage)
What the role involves
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) — administered under UNEP’s framework — is hiring a Data Visualisation Specialist on a consultancy basis. You’ll design and produce data visualisations and infographics that communicate complex environmental and biodiversity science findings to diverse global audiences.
Requirements
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience in data visualisation, information design, or science communication
- No specific degree requirement stated — portfolio of work is the primary qualifier
- Proficiency in visualisation tools (Tableau, D3.js, Adobe Illustrator, or similar)
- Fluency in English required
- This role is fully remote — location eligibility is worldwide
Apply for the Data Visualisation Specialist consultancy →
🌲 Mid-Level Roles (5–7 Years Experience)
Programme Management Officer, Climate Change Division | P-3
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Paris, France 📅 6 May 2026 📄 Fixed-term appointment (internationally recruited, P-3 level) 💰 UN P-3 salary: approximately USD $74,000–$97,000 per year net of tax, plus post adjustment for Paris
What the role involves
This post is in UNEP’s Climate Change Division, Mitigation Branch, Finance Unit, Paris duty station. The staff member will contribute to the implementation and development of clean energy finance-related projects of the Finance Unit. Specifically, you’ll work on the Mediterranean Investment Sustainable Energy Facility (MISEF) and successor projects, coordinating with implementing partners and mobilising resources for clean energy investment across developing countries.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field — environmental science, engineering, international development, economics, or related
- Minimum 5 years of project management experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, South Asia, Latin America, or Central Asia regions
- Experience designing business models or incentive mechanisms for clean energy investments in developing countries
- Track record with Green Climate Fund or similar multilateral climate finance mechanisms
- Fluency in English required; French is an advantage given the Paris duty station
- Knowledge of other UN languages (Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese) is a further plus
Apply for the Programme Management Officer P-3 Paris role →
Coordination Officer, Corporate Services Division | P-4
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Nairobi, Kenya 📅 8 May 2026 📄 Fixed-term appointment (internationally recruited, P-4 level) 💰 UN P-4 salary: approximately USD $90,000–$115,000 per year net of tax, plus Nairobi post adjustment
What the role involves
A senior coordination role within UNEP’s Corporate Services Division, supporting cross-divisional programme alignment and internal coordination functions. P-4 roles at UNEP typically involve managing relationships with member states, coordinating programme delivery across units, and representing the division in inter-agency and intergovernmental forums.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree in public administration, international relations, environmental management, or a related field
- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme coordination, administration, or management within the UN system or a comparable international organisation
- Demonstrated experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder coordination processes
- Fluency in English required; knowledge of additional UN languages is an advantage
Apply for the Coordination Officer P-4 Nairobi role →
🌳 Senior-Level Roles (10+ Years Experience)
Senior Programme Management Officer, Southern Africa Sub-Regional Office | P-5
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Pretoria, South Africa 📅 16 May 2026 📄 Fixed-term appointment (internationally recruited, P-5 level) 💰 UN P-5 salary: approximately USD $110,000–$130,000 per year net of tax, plus Pretoria post adjustment
What the role involves
This is a senior leadership role heading UNEP’s Southern Africa Sub-Regional Office in Pretoria — one of UNEP’s key regional hubs for programme delivery across the sub-continent. You’ll provide strategic oversight of UNEP’s work programme in the region, manage partner relationships with governments and regional bodies, and lead a multi-country team.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree in environmental science, public administration, international relations, or a related field
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental programme management, ideally with significant time in Southern Africa
- Strong track record in regional programme leadership within an international organisation
- Experience with resource mobilisation and engagement with multilateral funding mechanisms
- Fluency in English required; knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage
Apply for the Senior Programme Management Officer P-5 Pretoria role →
Chief of Branch, Evaluation Office | D-1
Location | Deadline | Contract | Salary
📍 Nairobi, Kenya 📅 9 May 2026 📄 Fixed-term appointment (internationally recruited, D-1 level) 💰 UN D-1 salary: approximately USD $130,000–$155,000 per year net of tax, plus Nairobi post adjustment
What the role involves
This post is located in the Evaluation Office at the Nairobi duty station. The Evaluation Office has a mandate to evaluate all UNEP projects and programmes to serve the organisational objectives of informing evidence-based decision making to improve programmatic planning, implementation results, monitoring and reporting, providing substantive accountability to Member States, funding partners, and the general public, and promoting organisational learning.
As Chief of Branch at D-1 level, you’ll lead and supervise the entire Evaluation Office, set its work programme, represent UNEP at international meetings, and report to intergovernmental bodies on programme performance.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in evaluation, business or public administration, finance, law, or social sciences
- Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in evaluation and oversight management, law, finance, or a related field; five years of management experience including leading diverse and multicultural teams is required; experience in designing and implementing robust impact evaluations is desirable My
- Fluency in English required; knowledge of French, Spanish, or other UN languages is an advantage
Apply for the Chief of Branch D-1 Evaluation Office role →
How to Apply for These UNEP Positions
All UNEP positions are advertised and filled through the UN Careers portal. Use the Job Opening ID numbers to search directly — they are more reliable than keyword search given the volume of simultaneous listings.
Key reminders before applying:
- Tailor your PHP (Personal History Profile) on Inspira to match each role’s specific competencies
- Submit before 11:59pm New York time on the stated deadline — the portal closes automatically
- UNEP does not charge fees at any stage; report any solicitation to UNEP’s fraud alert page
- For P-level roles, knowledge of a second UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese) consistently strengthens applications
