Climate Change and Environment Associate

Volunteering Environment

Overview

Support climate change and environmental projects to enhance sustainability and resilience.

You have:

• Demonstrated interest or experience in climate change and environmental sustainability (up to 3 years).
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Good communication and writing skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural team environment.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Angola faces significant climate and environmental challenges, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, increasing climate vulnerability, and inadequate waste management systems. The impacts of climate change have been intensifying across the country, resulting in a growing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters. Recent flooding events in Benguela, as well as recurring cycles of drought and flooding in Cunene province, highlight the increasing exposure and vulnerability of communities to climate shocks. These trends underscore the urgent need for integrated, resilience-building interventions.

At the same time, Angola has strong potential to leverage its natural capital, renewable energy resources, and circular economy approaches to drive sustainable growth, strengthen resilience, and create green jobs.

UNDP Angola is implementing a growing portfolio of projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, circular economy, and sustainable natural resource management. These initiatives involve close collaboration with government institutions (e.g., Ministry of Environment), municipalities, civil society, and private sector partners.

The UN Volunteer will be embedded within the Nature, Climate and Environment (NCE) Unit and will support project implementation, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, and learning processes. This assignment provides a strong opportunity for early-career professionals to gain hands-on experience in international development, environmental programming, and UN operations.

Under the direct supervision of NCE Programme Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Programme Support and Implementation - Support the implementation of climate change and environmental projects (e.g., circular economy, biodiversity, waste management, climate adaptation). - Assist in tracking project activities, timelines, and deliverables. - Contribute to the preparation of workplans, progress reports, and donor updates. - Support basic data collection and analysis related to project outputs and indicators. Research and Knowledge Management - Conduct desk research on climate change, environmental policies, and sustainable development practices. - Support the development of knowledge products (briefs, presentations, case studies, lessons learned). - Assist in documenting good practices and pilot initiatives (e.g., community-based waste management, circular economy solutions).

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination - Support coordination with government counterparts, partners, and stakeholders. - Assist in organizing meetings, workshops, and field visits. - Participate in consultations and support documentation of discussions and outcomes. Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting - Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes by compiling data and supporting indicator tracking. - Assist in preparing inputs for UNDP corporate reporting (e.g., ROAR, IWP). - Support learning activities, including capturing insights from pilot initiatives. Communication and Visibility - Assist in preparing communication materials (success stories, social media content, presentations). - Support visibility of project results and partnerships.

NCE Support - Coordination support - Support to the NCE portfolio

The assignment will provide structured learning opportunities, including: - Exposure to UNDP programme management and project cycles. - Mentorship and coaching from senior staff. - Participation in technical discussions on climate change, circular economy, and environmental policy. - Development of skills in data analysis, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination. - Access to UNDP and UNV learning platforms and training opportunities.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

• Accountability

• Adaptability and Flexibility

• Client Orientation

• Commitment to Continuous Learning

• Communication

• Ethics and Values

• Integrity

• Planning and Organizing

• Professionalism

• Respect for Diversity

• Self-Management

• Working in Teams

Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in: • Climate change and environmental sustainability • Sustainable Energy • Ecosystem Restoration • Carbon Credit • Circular economy or waste management • Sustainable development and community-based initiatives

Skills in:

• Strong analytical and research skills • Good communication and writing skills • Ability to work in a multicultural team environment • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools

Luanda, the capital of Angola, is a large and dynamic coastal city that serves as the country’s main economic, political, and cultural hub. Living conditions have improved in recent years, with access to supermarkets, restaurants, international schools, private healthcare facilities, and a range of accommodation options—often located in secure apartment or housing complexes. However, Luanda remains a challenging duty station due to a high cost of living, particularly for housing, imported goods, and private healthcare, as well as heavy traffic congestion and occasional interruptions to basic utilities. Security conditions are generally stable, and UN personnel benefit from established safety and security systems. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials and should be prepared for the city’s challenges while also benefiting from its active social life and opportunities for cultural engagement within Angola’s development context.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org