Biodiversity projects Assistant

Volunteering

Overview

Support biodiversity projects and monitoring frameworks within UNDP and the Ministry of Environment.

You have:

• At least 1 year of relevant professional experience in administrative support, project coordination, operations, programme assistance, data management, or monitoring support, preferably within development, environmental, biodiversity, or public-sector programmes.
• Experience supporting biodiversity conservation, NBSAP implementation, biodiversity monitoring, protected areas, restoration, sustainable biodiversity finance, or related environmental initiatives is an asset.
• Good understanding of environmental and biodiversity issues in Jordan, including national biodiversity priorities and institutional coordination needs.
• Experience collecting, organizing, cleaning, tracking, and presenting data using Excel or similar tools; familiarity with online platforms, databases, monitoring frameworks, dashboards, or CHM-type knowledge platforms is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, meet tight deadlines, and work with minimum supervision.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of UNDP Jordan’s biodiversity portfolio and its support to the Ministry of Environment, particularly through the Nature Protection Directorate and related national biodiversity coordination mechanisms. The Biodiversity Assistant will be embedded within the Ministry of Environment and will support both UNDP biodiversity projects and Ministry-led biodiversity functions. Approximately 50% of the Assistant’s time will be dedicated to UNDP biodiversity projects, mainly the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and support to the implementation and follow-up of Jordan’s NBSAP. The remaining 50% will support the Ministry of Environment in maintaining and operationalizing the national biodiversity monitoring framework (which is a UNDP initiative under the NBSAP), including collecting, organizing, validating, and uploading data to the biodiversity monitoring platform, supporting its continued development, and maintaining the national Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM). The assignment will contribute to improved coordination between UNDP and the Ministry, stronger data flows for biodiversity reporting and decision-making, and more effective implementation of Jordan’s biodiversity priorities through project, administrative, data-management, and stakeholder coordination support.

Additional Information:

National UN Associate Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 916.06; • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; and • Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service

Under the direct supervision of the Biodiversity Officer, and in close coordination with the Ministry of Environment’s Nature Protection Directorate and UNDP Environment Portfolio team, the UN Volunteer will perform the following duties:

A. Support to UNDP biodiversity projects - approximately 50%

• Provide day-to-day administrative, operational, and coordination support to UNDP biodiversity projects, particularly BIOFIN and NBSAP-related support activities. • Support the planning, organization, and follow-up of meetings, workshops, consultations, trainings, and public events related to biodiversity conservation, biodiversity finance, NBSAP implementation, protected areas, restoration, and biodiversity mainstreaming. • Prepare draft agendas, participant lists, invitation letters, background notes, presentations, meeting minutes, action points, and summary reports for biodiversity-related activities. • Support project implementation tracking by maintaining workplan follow-up sheets, deliverable trackers, stakeholder contact lists and organized electronic and hard-copy filing systems. • Assist in compiling information and documentation required for project reporting, donor updates, annual work planning, procurement planning, and coordination meetings. • Support travel, logistics, payment processing, consultant/vendor follow-up, and operational transactions related to UNDP biodiversity projects in coordination with UNDP Operations and Finance teams.

B. Support to Ministry biodiversity monitoring framework, platform and CHM - approximately 50%

• Support the Ministry of Environment in maintaining and operationalizing the national biodiversity monitoring framework and the associated online platform. • Collect, organize, clean, and validate biodiversity data and indicators from relevant government institutions, protected area managers, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other partners. • Upload and update biodiversity data, indicator information, metadata, documents, maps, and supporting material on the biodiversity monitoring platform, ensuring consistency, completeness, and clear filing. • Support the continued development and improvement of the platform by documenting user needs, identifying data gaps, coordinating with technical service providers or IT teams, and testing platform updates. • Maintain and update the national Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM), including uploading relevant biodiversity documents, news, project updates, national reports, NBSAP materials, and other approved content. • Prepare simple data summaries, dashboards, presentation inputs, and progress updates to support Ministry decision-making, NBSAP follow-up, CBD reporting, and stakeholder coordination. • Support the development of practical templates, standard operating procedures, and guidance notes for data collection, indicator updates, and content submission to the monitoring platform and CHM.

C. Stakeholder coordination, communication and knowledge management

• Maintain updated stakeholder databases for biodiversity-related institutions, task forces, UN agencies, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, academia, and development partners. • Facilitate information flow and follow-up between UNDP, the Ministry of Environment, consultants, service providers, and national partners involved in biodiversity initiatives. • Draft routine correspondence in Arabic and English, follow up on requests for information, and support timely circulation of documents and action points. • Organize and archive knowledge products, reports, meeting records, datasets, and communication materials related to biodiversity projects and monitoring systems.

D. Additional support

• Provide administrative and coordination support to relevant Ministry of Environment biodiversity requests handled in collaboration with UNDP. • Perform any other related duties as required to support the effective delivery of UNDP’s biodiversity portfolio and Ministry biodiversity functions.

• Competencies and values: Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• At least 1 year of relevant professional experience in administrative support, project coordination, operations, programme assistance, data management, or monitoring support, preferably within development, environmental, biodiversity, or public-sector programmes.

• Experience supporting biodiversity conservation, NBSAP (National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan)implementation, biodiversity monitoring, protected areas, restoration, sustainable biodiversity finance, or related environmental initiatives is an asset. • Previous experience working with government institutions, UNDP, the UN system, international organizations, or donor-funded projects is an advantage.

Technical skills and knowledge

• Good understanding of environmental and biodiversity issues in Jordan, including national biodiversity priorities and institutional coordination needs. • Experience organizing meetings, workshops, consultations, and events, including logistics, participant coordination, documentation, and on-site support. • Experience collecting, organizing, cleaning, tracking, and presenting data using Excel or similar tools; familiarity with online platforms, databases, monitoring frameworks, dashboards, or CHM-type knowledge platforms is an asset. • Experience in travel arrangements, payment processing, vendor coordination, consultant follow-up, filing, and administrative documentation is desirable. • Have affinity with or interest in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and other Biodiversity frameworks and mechanisms, and knowledge of the CBD is highly desirable. • Familiarity with UNDP corporate systems such as Quantum and UNALL is a strong asset.

Core competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic. • Strong drafting, reporting, documentation, and follow-up skills with attention to detail and accuracy. • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, UN agencies, consultants, private sector actors, academia, civil society partners, and development partners. • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, meet tight deadlines, and work with minimum supervision. • Demonstrated interest in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and the values of the United Nations system.

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship).

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 7 days ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unv.org