Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science

Organization

UNEP

Department

Office of Science

Organization URL

Not Specified

Job Location Type

IN_OFFICE

Job Location

Nairobi, Kenya    

Applicant Location Requirements

No Applicant Location Requirements Specified.

Application Deadline

November 5, 2025

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.

Special Requirements
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of applied sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, environment engineering, environmental geography or environmental health is required. Experience in programme and organizational management (human resources, budget, law) in government, intergovernmental entities and/or United Nations, universities and research institutions and non-governmental organizations at a senior-level is required. Experience in environmental policy analysis, formulation and implementation, and/or providing technical assistance on environment to policy makers on the environment is required. Working experience in a management and leadership position at senior level is required. Experience in the area of the environmental science-policy interface is desirable. A publication record of peer reviewed scientific articles and/or papers is desirable

Apply online or via email

anna.bulgakova@un.org