Associate Environmental Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Children and young people are more vulnerable to adverse environmental conditions than adults and are more sensitive to the harmful effects of climate change and environmental pollution. The skills, knowledge and attitudes we nurture in children and young people today are the foundation of our collective resilience to climate change and sustainable development of our communities in the future. Towards this goal, UNICEF in North Macedonia is implementing two programmes: “Empowering children and young people in North Macedonia to be agents of change in reducing community vulnerability to climate change”, and “Air Quality in the Western Balkans” financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The programmes aim to implement a comprehensive environment and climate change education and prepare children and young people to become active citizens in building the response toward climate change and environmental degradation. Within these programmes special attention is given to foster social innovation among youth and engage them to design an innovative solution to a social problem they have identified in their community.

Under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the education and communication section in designing opportunities in and outside schools that empower children as agents of change with an active role in addressing climate-related risks by exercising their views, opinions and concerns, identifying and working on solutions, and promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles. • In close collaboration with UNICEF Education staff members, assist the work of the implementing partners in establishing venues and programmes for experiential learning in schools that focus on environment and climate change education. • Support the activities of the Science Learning Network (SLN) in implementing an environmental and climate change education programme for students in primary and secondary schools (SLN – is a network of science institutions in the country that aims to support and enable quality education on environment and climate change, as well as the inclusion of experiential learning in formal education by providing primary and secondary students with the opportunity to learn scientific concepts outside the classroom). • Support the education team members in the implementation of UNICEF-designed youth programmes and initiatives, such as UPSHIFT, and the integration of environmental and climate change topics in its implementation.

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

and/or demonstrated interest in Education, Environment and climate change, Youth activities, Innovation
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

North Macedonia is a landlocked country, geographically located on the Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe with around 2.02 million inhabitants. Capital city is Skopje with around 600,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city of North Macedonia, the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre. There is a wide range of hotels, restaurants, educational centers, access roads, public transport (buses, taxis, trains), public services and places for recreation, airports. Medical services in the main cities (public, private clinics and hospitals) are available.

North Macedonia is an upper-middle-income country that has made great strides in reforming its economy over the past decade. Following strong economic growth during the period 2002–08 averaging 4.3%, average GDP growth has declined to 2.1% per year since 2009. The main drivers of growth since 2009 have been construction, industry, and wholesale and retail trade. Skopje is the capital city with majority of the population of the country living there. The country is a candidate for EU membership and a NATO member.

Macedonia has a good network of bus routes, as well as some train service, which makes it possible to travel to practically all destinations by public transportation. Credit cards can be used in most locations in Skopje, particularly those that cater to tourists. ATMs are available throughout the country. Local currency is a Macedonian denar, and foreign currency should only be exchanged at banks and legal change bureaus; changing money on the street is illegal.

Insurance is recommended, but not required, for your computer and other electronic gear. There is available office space with desk, laptop and internet. The equipment is intended to be used primarily for work-related activities, and not for personal purposes. Internet and email access is available throughout North Macedonia. Internet cafes can be found in most cities and towns, and wireless Internet is available in most of the cafes and restaurants.

There is limited choice of frozen and prepared food, but there is a wide variety of fresh food. The meat most often found in restaurants and shops is beef, chicken and fish. North Macedonia is widely known for the production of fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians will not have any problems maintaining a healthy diet if they cook at home. The entertainment opportunities in North Macedonia include visit to museums, concerts, theatres, athletic events, hot springs, outdoor markets, historical and ethnographic centers, coffee shops, bars, discos, and cinemas. Opportunities for outdoor recreation include hiking, camping, rock climbing, and bird-watching. During the summer, Lake Ohrid is known for its pristine waters and beautiful scenery. During the winter, Macedonia’s several ski resorts attract skiers from other countries.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and use the entitlement calculator (https://app.unv.org/calculator) for the most up to date information