Climate Change and Air Quality Study Officer

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Sunday 25 Sep 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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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.

Mongolian urban areas have extremely high air pollution caused by coal burning by power stations, heat only boilers and stoves used by households living in Mongolian traditional Gers. Coal-fired stoves are the dominant technology used by households. These outdated, fossil fuel-based technologies contribute to significant levels of air pollution, as well as GHG emissions. Without intervention, carbon-intensive heat sources will continue to have devastating effects on the country’s environment and socio-economic sectors, including the citizens’ health – especially pregnant women and children exposed to toxic pollutants (leading to higher incidence of stillbirth, preterm birth, pneumonia, asthma, lung dysfunction, damage to the brain, etc.).

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Government of Mongolia and with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and other partners is implementing the 4-year (2018-2022) programme “Impact of Air Pollution on Maternal and Child Health” to reduce the risks of air pollution to maternal and child health through enhanced evidence, policy, institutional capacity and actions on the ground to reduce exposure; for instance, air quality monitoring, improving indoor air quality through ventilation systems and strengthening health services, Cooking, heating and insulation products-CHIP for ger households to replace stoves and insulate Gers and support for policy integration, planning and implementation.

The UNICEF new country programme document 2023-2027 specifies that Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) & Climate, Environment, Energy, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED) programme will support children and adolescents to realise their right to safe WASH services and a healthy and sustainable environment while being better able to respond to climate, disaster and environmental risks and shocks.

Under the direct supervision of the Climate Change and Clean Air Specialist of UNICEF Mongolia, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

I. Air quality (AQ) • Support the team to carry out analysis of air quality data collected through installation of low cost AQ devices in kindergartens and health facilities and carry out literature review and summarize findings. • Based on the analytical report on air quality provide research content for the UNICEF webpage. • Support the team to organise conferences, workshops and trainings. II. Climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR)
• Collect information on projects and programmes and other initiatives in the areas of climate change and disaster risk reduction, carry out analysis of their impacts on children with a view of drawing good practices, gaps, and potential for UNICEF interventions. • Support the Clean air team to take the stock of the available data of climate change and DRR in relation to children and identify data and evidence needed to collect. • Support the team for implementation of climate change and DRR interventions.

III. Communication and advocacy
• Support the team to use media and social media channels and digital platforms for wide dissemination of air quality and climate change work of UNICEF. • Assist in communication material development and dissemination (reports, factsheets, Human interest stories, flyers, policy briefs, videos, briefing notes, and presentations). • Initiate and implement Mongolian and Korean students and faculty exchange projects in the areas of climate and environment.
• Support for designing and implementing youth engagement initiatives and projects in the areas of climate change, environment, and air pollution reduction.

IV. Other tasks • Participate in all staff meetings and team meetings. • Accompany the team members for field missions and meetings with stakeholders and assist with relevant follow up.

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Working in Teams.

environment, environmental monitoring, climate change and sustainability areas. • Familiarity with research methods and analytic skills including quantitative and qualitative research skills. • Familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development (or social and behavior change). Ability to use social media tools including content creation and social media analytics tools. • Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to work collaboratively with a range of partners, including community members, youth organizations, and authorities at different levels. • High level of computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications, Internet/video conferencing tools, familiarity with database management, and office technology equipment. • Experience working for/with bilateral and multi-lateral organizations and the United Nations is an asset.

Ulaanbaatar is the capital and by far the largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million. Located in north central Mongolia, the city lies at an elevation of about 1,310 metres (4,300 ft) in a valley on the Tuul River. It is the cultural, industrial, and financial heart of the country. Mongolia has four seasons – the hardest of which is winter, lasting from November to March with temperatures dropping down to minus 35 degrees Celsius. The coldest period falls from mid December to January. Mongolia is a sunny country with 260 days of sunlight. The climate in Mongolia is full of extremes, so one can expect sudden changes from heat to cold even in the summer. There are many privately owned apartment compounds with competitive rentals for short and long term in the centre of the city. There are many real estate agencies with numerous secure apartment options available – including within walking distance to the office. Taxis are also readily available and can be organised to a daily routine. In Ulaanbaatar one can find any suitable place to live, food to eat and clothing to wear without much problem. Electricity, phone, internet, shops, banking, medical, recreation and entertainment are all available. This assignment primarily involves local travel to Ger districts surrounding Ulaanbaatar. UNICEF has a staff of over 50 housed in a government hosted UN House and a good working environment. Ulaanbaatar is not a disabled friendly city and there are many challenges for physically disabled colleagues. Staff and volunteers are fully integrated into the team, provided with desk, computer, phone, and internet access. Staff security is taken very seriously by UNICEF and the UN Security Officer provides briefings and 24 hour support to all staff working with UNICEF.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org