Individual Consultant: Review of the National Environment Policy 2013

Job Description

Expected Duration of Assignment: Six (6) months, between 15th September 2025 and 15th March, 2026.

Project Description

Kenya’s constitution guarantees every person the right to clean and healthy environment, which includes the right to have the environment protected for the benefit of the present and future generations through legislative and other measures. The Constitution places a duty upon all persons in Kenya to cooperate with the State in safeguarding and enhancing the environment. Various obligations are also placed upon the State with respect to the environment, including, among others, to ensure the sustainable use, management and conservation of the environment and natural resources, and to eliminate processes and activities that are likely to endanger the environment.

To actualize the above, a sound policy framework that enables sustainable development as provided for in the Constitution is necessary for Kenya. This shall entail effective and efficient environment and natural resources management approaches implemented through a progressive policy, legal and institutional framework. Kenya’s unique environment and rich natural resources are critical national assets that provide valuable ecosystem goods and services that contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and support peoples’ livelihoods.

Kenya has in place a National Environment Policy 2013, which should be subjected to a review to match the needs for new emerging themes like the triple planetary crisis-climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, Carbon markets, Big data, Artificial intelligence and rising lakes among other global transformations. In addition, Kenya is a state party to various Multilateral Environment Agreements which by dint of Article 2(5) (6) of the Constitution of Kenya, become part of the laws of Kenya, and therefore the need to review the national environment policy 2013.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, is therefore seeking for a consultant to review and update the National Environment Policy, 2013 to be a holistic progressive policy, that ensures effective and efficient implementation of environment and natural resources management approaches, to enable Kenya realize both its Constitutional aspirations and its international obligations. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change during the entire duration of the assignment.

Specifically, the consultant hired under this call is expected to; Review and update Kenya’s National Environment Policy, 2013 to provide an updated National Environment Policy, which has integrated emerging global trends and international best practices to provide sound framework for:

I. Integrated planning and sustainable management of Kenya’s environment and natural resources.

II. Strengthening the legal and institutional framework for better coordination and management of Kenya’s environment and natural resources.

III. Integration of emerging global environmental issues and environmental management best practices into Kenya’s policy and legal frameworks.

IV. Conduct stakeholder engagement on the reviewed National Environment Policy.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision a designated officer of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change and in coordination with the UNDP Kenya Team Leader Environment and Resilience, the consultant will.

Planned activities

Output 1: An inception report inclusive of a detailed work plan

Activity 1: Prepare an inception report outlining the assignment objectives, approach, detailed work plan, timeline, and methodology for undertaking the policy review

Methodology – desktop review, stakeholder consultations and validation.

Output 2: An Environment policy gap analysis report

Activity 1: Review Existing Policy: Conduct a comprehensive review of the current National Environment Policy, relevant legislations (e.g. EMCA 1999, Climate Change Act 2016), and related sectoral policies.

Methodology – desktop review, stakeholder consultations.

Activity 2: Conduct Gap and Needs Analysis: Identify gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies in the existing policy and county policies. Analyze alignment with Kenya’s obligations under MEAs, including the Paris Agreement, CBD, UNCCD, and the SDGs. Analyze emerging environmental trends using current scientific literature, national data, and global assessments (e.g. IPCC, IPBES)

Methodology – desktop review, stakeholder consultations.

Output 3: A stakeholder mapping and consultations proposal

Activity 1: Stakeholder Consultations: Design and facilitate inclusive stakeholder consultations at national and county levels, ensuring representation from government, civil society, academia, private sector, indigenous groups, and youth.

Methodology – stakeholder consultations.

Activity 2: Integrate feedback from consultations into the policy review process

Methodology – stakeholder forums.

Activity 3: Facilitate sessions with proposed technical working groups and stakeholder forums, take stock and collate inputs from stakeholders

Methodology –workshop

Activity 4: International Benchmarking: Analyze environmental policy frameworks from comparable countries and integrate best practices

Methodology – desktop review, stakeholder consultations.

Output 4: A detailed Summary of consultations and stakeholder engagement report

Develop updated draft regulations under the Environmental Management & Coordination Bill, 2024

Methodology – expert writeshop, stakeholder consultations.

Output 5: Draft National Environment Policy, 2025

Draft the National Environment Policy, 2025 incorporating gap analysis, MEA alignment, scientific evidence, benchmarking, and stakeholder inputs

Methodology – expert writeshop, stakeholder consultations

Output 6: Final National Environment Policy, 2025

Finalize the National Environment Policy, 2025 after stakeholder validation and technical review

Methodology – Validation workshop, public participation, final expert revision, submission in digital and hard copy

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in environmental governance/policy/law or related disciplines.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• At least 15 years’ experience in the field of environmental governance/policy/law or related disciplines
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible (a) experience in environmental policy development, legal drafting, and natural resource management, with a focus on Kenya or similar contexts (b) the provision of analytical, advisory, and technical assistance in environmental policy and natural resource management.

Required skills and competencies

• Demonstrated expertise in environmental policy analysis, formulation, and review processes.
• Strong understanding of Kenya’s legal framework related to environmental management, including the Constitution of Kenya, the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, and related regulations.
• Experience in drafting legislation and policy documents, with a proven track record of successful implementation.
• Excellent analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and concise policy recommendations.
• Expertise in designing and implementing national bills and policies.
• Strong knowledge of Natural resource management, Environment regulatory framework and policy.
• Experience and ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels (government, civil society, private sector) and facilitate consensus-building processes.
• Capacity to support the organization of workshop series, expert write shop and, and stakeholder consultations.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Expertise in the organization of events and high-level stakeholder dialogue
• Knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures is desirable
• Excellent analytical, legal drafting and communications skills

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• English is required.
• Strong writing and presentation skills

DEADLINE: 3 September 2025