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.

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.

Expected start date: 01/12/2026
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Work schedule: Full-time
Work location: On UN premises

Job responsibilities

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);
• Contribute to the development of Terms of Reference for consultants and support recruitment and performance assessment processes;
• Support project results planning, monitoring, and reporting in line with donor requirements and UNDP corporate systems.
• 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;
• 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;
• 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:

• 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.

Job requirements

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Required experience: 3 years

Required education level: Master’s degree in Environmental management/sciences, geography, sustainable development, natural resource management, international relations, social/political science, geosciences, anthropology, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Languages:

• French, Level: Working knowledge, Required
• English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Skills and experience:

• Experience in the design, implementation, and/or monitoring of environment, climate change, waste management, or natural resource management programmes/projects, including donor-funded initiatives;
• Experience supporting the formulation of national or international policies and strategies related to environment or climate change, and in stakeholder engagement and provision of technical assistance with governments, private sector, and civil society organisations.
• Experience in proposal development and resource mobilization.
• Work experience in the African context on issues related to environmental protection and climate change is an asset.
• Experience working with governments, bilateral and multilateral development organizations, private sector, and civil society is an asset.

Skills in:

• Strong programme/project management, planning, and results-based reporting skills;
• Excellent communication, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of climate finance, carbon markets, or circular economy is an asset.