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Nairobi · KenyaFree to read
Environmental Science

Environmental Policy Analyst

Analyses and develops environmental policies for governments, NGOs and international organisations. Combines environmental science with policy analysis to shape regulations and strategies on climate, biodiversity and pollution.

AI exposure
34 of 100, low exposure
Hiring trend
Rising
Hiring rate
35%

The role

What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.

At a glance

Remote friendly
Yes
Freelance potential
Medium
Time to senior
8 years

A day in the role

Analyses the impact of Kenya's plastic bag ban, writes a policy brief on carbon pricing, consults with industry stakeholders on emissions regulations, and presents recommendations to the ministry.

What it pays

Kenyan market, per month
Entry
KES 55,000-100,000
Mid
KES 130,000-280,000
Senior
KES 320,000-700,000

Exposure

How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.

Where this rating sits

1,516 rated careers
34
lowmoderatehigh
020406080100

Rated above 34% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside environmental science the mean is 35, across 118 careers.

Named task by task

Already automated

  • AI-powered policy document analysis
  • Automated regulatory compliance checking
  • Generating policy briefs and reports
  • AI-assisted stakeholder mapping

Still human

  • Analysing environmental policies and regulations
  • Developing policy recommendations
  • Conducting stakeholder consultations
  • Writing policy briefs and position papers
  • Engaging with government and parliament
  • Monitoring policy implementation and impact

Task counts

Displacing
Minimal — policy requires human judgement and negotiation
Augmenting
AI document analysis improves research
Creating
AI policy modelling creates new analytical roles

Sources

Behind the rating
  • UNEP Nairobi
  • Ministry of Environment
  • WEF Future of Jobs 2023

Getting in

The routes into the role and what each one asks for.

What to study

8 courses

How people get in

  • BSc Environmental Science + MA Policy

    6 yearsVery high cost

    BSc plus MA in Environmental Policy or Public Policy

Who hires

  • Ministry of Environment
  • UNEP Kenya
  • WWF Kenya
  • Think Tanks
  • International Organisations

Common misconceptions

  • Environmental policy is just writing regulations

    It involves scientific analysis, economic modelling, stakeholder negotiation, political strategy and impact evaluation — policy analysts shape how nations respond to environmental challenges.

What happens next

How the role changes from here, and where it leads.

Growth outlook

Net demand change
+15%
Over
2026-2028
Drivers
Climate policy demands,UNEP presence in Nairobi,International agreements
Headwinds
Political priorities,Implementation gaps

What to learn

  • AI policy analysis tools
  • Environmental economics
  • International climate negotiations

Related careers

Kenyan market notes

UNEP headquarters in Nairobi — major policy hub. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change sets national policy. Growing environmental policy needs — climate, plastic pollution, biodiversity. Think tanks and NGOs need policy analysts. International organisations (UNEP, UNDP) hire locally. Salary: entry KES 55,000-100,000, mid KES 130,000-280,000, senior KES 320,000-700,000+ (international organisations pay more).

Further reading

Keep this

This role is rated 34 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.