Associate Programme Officer

Contract

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

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP Ecosystems Division is responsible for ecosystem management for human well-being, which including marine and coastal ecosystems.

UNEP launched the Regional Seas Programme in 1974. Today, more than 146 countries have joined 18 Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment, and the Regional Seas play a crucial role in supporting countries with the implementation and monitoring of the ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals and associated targets. COBSEA is a regional intergovernmental mechanism and one of 18 Regional Seas programmes. It is the decision-making body for the East Asian Seas Action Plan, bringing together nine countries – Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Viet Nam – in protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment. The COBSEA Secretariat is administered by UNEP Ecosystems Division and is hosted by Thailand, at the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok.

The Twenty-fourth Intergovernmental Meeting of COBSEA (IGM 24) adopted the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) to guide regionally coherent action to reduce and prevent marine litter from land-based and sea-based sources, strengthen monitoring and assessment, and create an enabling framework for implementation. The COBSEA Working Group on Marine Litter (WGML) provides guidance on implementation of the RAP MALI and develops respective biennial workplans. The COBSEA Secretariat manages projects and initiatives toward achieving the biennial workplan in collaboration with countries and regional partners, such as the MA-RE-DESIGN project supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (giz). IGM 25 established the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) as a knowledge hub on marine litter policies, science and capacity building with a dedicated web platform linked to the Global Digital Platform. The Secretariat provides interim hosting functions until a longer-term hosting arrangement is decided by IGM 26. IGM 25 further established the Regional Capacity Center for Clean Seas (RC3S) in Bali, Indonesia, as a COBSEA Regional Activity Centre on marine pollution, to support the Secretariat in achieving the RAP MALI.

Under the direct supervision of the COBSEA Programme Management Officer for Marine Litter, Ms. Natalie Harms, and the overall supervision of the COBSEA Coordinator, Mr. Mahesh Pradhan, the UNV will: • Support the implementation of marine litter initiatives and activities, including the MA-RE-DESIGN project, toward achieving the COBSEA Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter and the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027; • Support coordination with COBSEA marine litter focal points and facilitate Meetings and consultations of the Working Group on Marine Litter (WGML); • Support progress tracking and reporting of the biennial workplan on implementation of the RAP MALI and provide input to development of new biennial workplans and initiatives, including input to relevant proposals; • Support operations and institutional strengthening of the COBSEA Secretariat related to marine litter, including organization of the Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) and engagement with the COBSEA Regional Activity Centre on marine pollution; • Facilitate knowledge sharing in the region, including through the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) and phased development of the Node web platform; • Provide input to communication and outreach efforts and provide logistical and technical support in relation to marine litter meetings, trainings, and events, including development of presentations and talking points; • Support COBSEA countries related to the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) toward an international instrument on plastic pollution, and other relevant regional and global processes on marine pollution, including sharing of information and preparation of inputs to meetings; • Facilitate regular reporting on marine litter activities in the region, including inputs to newsletters, reporting to countries and the WGML, to relevant donors and stakeholders; • Support collaboration between COBSEA Secretariat, Regional Office, and relevant Divisions on plastic pollution and marine litter activities.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. 11. Results/Expected Output: • Effective implementation of marine litter initiatives and activities toward achieving the RAP MALI and timely internal and external progress reporting; • Successful implementation and tracking of the biennial workplan of the RAP MALI, new biennial workplan(s) developed with guidance from the WGML, opportunities for funding identified and relevant proposals drafted related to the workplan; • Meeting documents identifying the role, governance, and workplan of RC3S as a COBSEA RAC, including potential hosting responsibilities of the Regional Node, are shared with the WGML and IGM in a timely manner; • Successful organization of meetings and events, including Intergovernmental Meetings, meetings of the WGML, and regional/international events as well as technical/project meetings and workshops; • Successful knowledge management and capacity building through the Regional Node and its web platform and enhanced coordination with the GPML; • Information and knowledge on resources and events related to the COBSEA Strategic Directions and RAP MALI is easily accessible and shared, internally and externally; • COBSEA countries are successfully supported related to the INC and other relevant marine litter events and processes; • COBSEA activities, outputs and achievements are shared UNEP and COBSEA communication channels, including the COBSEA website and newsletter.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

marine issues, environmental science, geography, natural resource management, sustainable development or international relations. • Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners. Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and internet research; • Familiarity with digitized knowledge and data management and use of web-based platforms is an asset; • Understanding of communication, information sharing and networking and use of social media; • At least 3 years working experience in the environmental field is required and a particular interest to work in marine related areas and plastic pollution is essential. Experience in the East Asian Seas region is desirable. • Some project implementation / management experience, including with budgets and reporting, in the environmental space, ideally in marine litter or plastic pollution, is desirable. • Fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset. Knowledge of a language from the East Asian Seas region is an asset.

Normal living conditions for a large city in Asia (Bangkok). Bangkok has similar conditions to any relatively developed city in the world. The climate of Thailand is tropical, with three distinct seasons, i.e. a hot season from March to mid-May, a rainy season caused by the southwest monsoon, which generally runs from mid-May to October, and a dry and relatively cool season from November to February, when the northeast monsoon, coming from the Asian continent, prevails. However, the relatively cool season is felt in the north and in inland areas, while on the coasts and in the south it's hot even in winter.