Climate change adaptation and mitigation Junior 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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958. UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. UNDP works with countries to expand people’s choices for a fairer, sustainable future, to build the world envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with planet and people in balance. The challenge for the period 2022-2025 is to accelerate and scale up development results significantly, bringing the Goals back within reach. Towards that end, UNDP will support change in three directions:

• Structural transformation, particularly green, inclusive and digital transitions; • Leaving no one behind, a rights-based approach centred on human agency and hu-man development; • Building resilience to respond to systemic uncertainty and risk.

The UNDP Area of Sustainable Development in Colombia works with different levels of government (national, regional, and local), with NGO, civil society, and ethnic groups on issues such as mitigation and adaptation to climate change, energy issues, comprehensive biodiversity management, sustainable productive alternatives, and pollutant management, seeking to influence in public policies and in the strengthen institutional capacities to improve the environmental conditions of the country and especially the livelihoods of the population that uses natural resources.

Specifically, the area’s general objective is to “contribute to the implementation of the country’s multilateral environmental agreements and conventions to avoid transgressing planetary limits, with a differential focus on those territories and populations that are most vulnerable and excluded, promoting the achievement of the 2030 Agenda”. With this in mind, it supports global projects such as "SCALA", "Environment and Climate" and the Colombian government’s national implementation projects in support of climate change commitments such as the BUR (Biennnial Update Report). It also supports the transparency framework for climate change reporting - CBIT, the Colombian low-carbon development strategy, and initiatives in Colombia’s central region. These latter efforts aim to build a strategy that integrates environmental conservation and adaptation to climate risk criteria within the agricultural and energy development policy with a pilot perspective on the central region of the country.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sustainable Development and Environment in the UNDP Colombia CO (Country Office), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks

• Supports the development of field activities with communities and to participate in spaces with key stakeholders for the design and implementation of nature-based solutions to improve regional water security and agri-food systems, with emphasis on agrobiodiversity • Supports the projects in technical assistance and training to communities to strengthen capacities for the development of mitigation and adaptation actions at the local level. • Contributes to the elaboration of technical documents for the construction of proposals or reports to donors, for the program and for the allies and to support its translation (English and Spanish). • Supports the systematization of information and results of the portfolio of Climate Change projects in the Area • Any other activity that is required or assigned by the supervisor.

• Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management

or demonstrated interest in: • Implementation of projects related to conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems under the focus of nature-based solutions; • Implementation of local scale solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Knowledge in: • Use of computer tools and geographic information system;
• Agri-food systems and climate change management, with emphasis on adaptation measures would be an asset; • Use of computer tools and geographic information system.

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

With more than 51 million citizens, Colombia, a medium income country, has the second largest population in South America, after Brazil, and the 28th largest in the world. Colombia is one of the most biologically diverse countries on earth, boasting beautiful wildlife and a varying climate across the country. Colombia has a tropical climate that is characterized by a uniform temperature most of the year. The mountainous system is the main determining factor of the climate in each of the Colombian regions, a circumstance for which the country has been divided into the following thermal levels:

• Warm (heights lower than 1,000 m., Temperature higher than 24 ° C, covers 80% of the country's extension) • Medium or temperate (between 1,000 and 2,000 m. Altitude, temperature between 17 ° C and 24 ° C, corresponds to 10% of the country) • Cold (from 2,000 m to 3,000 m. Altitude, temperatures between 12 ° C and 17 ° C, covers 8%) • Páramo (lands over 3,000 meters with temperatures below 12 ° C). Another determining factor of the climate in the Colombian territory are the trade winds from the North and the Southeast

Colombia is unique as it is the only country in South America with access to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Bogotá, the capital city and seat of government, the most populous city, and the largest city in Colombia, is a modern and dynamic city that has a population of around eleven million. The city enjoys a subtropical highland climate, with an average temperature of 14°C, varying from 3°C to 20 °C. Bogotá is also known for its many universities, libraries, and cultural activities, and is called ‘the Athens of South America’. Bogota brings together the best of the country, its music, its food, its art, its people. The cultural offer is infinite. There is a broad array of local and international restaurants. There are many parks with concert facilities, and beautiful mountains surrounding the city where you can do day-hikes. For art lovers, there are around 58 museums and over 70 art galleries. There are also events such as ArtBo (International Fair of Art of Bogotá), International Theatre Festival, La Feria del Millón (Art festival for both up-and-coming artists and first-time art buyers) and Barcú (International Fair of Arts and Culture). You can also find the Colombian best coffees. There are places where you can do coffee tasting, or bookstores where you can sit and enjoy a reading afternoon.

A key part of the public transportation system in Bogota is the TransMilenio system. TransMilenio is a bus rapid transit system (BRT) that runs all over the city with various lines. During peak hours Transmilenio can be very full. The system has also “Feeder Buses” for Transmilenio that transport people from and to areas located away from the main service trucks. Outside of Transmilenio, Bogotá has a regular public bus system as well, and in addition to buses is also full of taxis which can be an excellent way to get around the city.

In Colombia´s main cities you will find modern facilities and high-quality medical care with hospitals and clinics having many bilingual doctors. To count with a private medical insurance is recommended.

For renting an apartment on Airbnb on a short-term basis there are few requirements: an Airbnb account and phone number are sufficient. On the other hand, long term rentals through agencies or directly with owners have stricter needs. Depending on property type, location and length of contract rent costs varies: a studio apartment from USD$300-$ 600/month and a modern apartment with 2-3 bedrooms from USD$500-$2000 which could vary depending on the neighbour, property conditions and facilities.