Climate and Environment Assistant

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response Environment

Overview

Assist in coordinating climate and environment projects in Sri Lanka.

You have:

• Bachelor's degree in environment or climate change or development studies or other relevant programmes; experience with development agencies is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others); familiarity with database management.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated; ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential. In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities, and be the drivers of their own destiny. UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play, and grow. For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education, and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disasters, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive. This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the implementation of the foundational and mainstreaming elements of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan of the UNICFE Sri Lanka and other relevant (WASH & Climate Change) projects in coordinating with relevant line ministries (Ministries of Water Supply, Health, Education and Environment), climate actors and the UNICEF regional office in South Asia.

1. Assist in coordinating, communicating and supporting logistic arrangements of programme activities and initiatives, especially meetings, workshops and training.
2. Support in taking minutes and preparing reports relevant to meetings/workshops/field visits.
3. Assist in coordinating with partners to monitor the progress of implementation of activities of the annual work plan and budget spending and organize relevant progress review meetings coordinating with relevant government agencies.
4. Support to follow up with relevant sections (Education, Communications, H&N, SBC, DRR, Social Policy and Child Protection) on the implementation of joint work plans/programmes and organize relevant meetings.
5. Coordinate with HR, IT, Admin and Supply sections for relevant supplies and logistics by providing necessary data and information with relevant to supplies, HR support, workshops, trainings, and transport arrangements.
6. Coordinate with all relevant sections on timely input, communications, updating reports following up on budget-related information and preparing reports as necessary.
7. Act as a focal point for administrative coordination of WASH and Climate Change programme/project implementation, engaging with all relevant programme sections to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, prepare documentation as necessary, etc.
8. Participate in meetings and workshops; assist in coordinating implementation activities with relevant government partners, UN agencies, local authorities, local partners, non-governmental organizations, donors, and other stakeholders relevant to the project.

Professionalism Confidentially Teamwork and respect for diversity Excellent interpersonal skills Commitment to continuous learning Planning and organizing Communication Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values. Accountability Adaptability and flexibility Creativity Judgement and decision-making Self-management

environment or climate change or development studies or other relevant programmes; experience with development agencies is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in (environment, climate change, water and development) volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Colombo is located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. The climate is temperate all throughout the year, but the humidity is usually high. From March to April, the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfall occurs.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 days ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: unv.org