Climate Change and Youth Associate

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.

To capacitate the Resident Coordinator Office to play a critical role in strategic joint programming takes time and thematic knowledge in key areas. In the context of the Multi-Country Office Micronesia, which covers five countries, climate change/ environmental sustainability and youth are the key issues impacting the very survival of these populations and promoting innovation and creative solutions are critical and requires human resources. The UNV will provide support to overall planning, advocacy and programming as regards environment, climate change and youth engagement. A Youth UNV would help to strengthen coordination and support the dialogue between the RCO, UN Country Team and stakeholders in this thematic area. It is difficult to recruit specialists and programme staff in Micronesia, this is an opportunity for growth, learning and to get exposure to a unique international development context where climate change, youth engagement and environmental sustainability is at the centre of the political and socio-economic agenda. The Youth UNV will have the unique opportunity to be part of the establishment of a new UN presence and be a member of a new, dynamic and growing team.

Under the direct supervision of Head of the RCO/ Team Leader/Strategic Planner, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the development and updating of country climate change/environmental sustainability profiles as part of the Common Country and Regional Assessments • Support to researching environment and climate change-related issues and their im-pact on Micronesia • Support the development and maintenance of climate/environment related-youth agendas and outreach in the countries under the purview of the MCO Micronesia • Support inclusion of all peoples across all Micronesia, especially women and girls, youth and persons with disabilities, in the climate change and environment agenda • Support the work of the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Young People focused on Micronesia, providing secretariat, coordination, and substantive support as relevant • Support UN Pacific Strategy Outcome Group 1/Results Group: Climate Change, Dis-aster Resilience and Environmental Protection providing secretariat, coordination, and thematic substantive support; • Work with the Communications Officer and UN Communications Group in the designing, drafting and implementation of communications content and strategies in relation to environmental sustainability and climate change and youth agendas. • Work closely with the Country Coordination Officers on policy and advocacy related to environmental sustainability and climate change.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service when-ever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs • UN inter-agency work in support of national priorities, climate change, and youth engage-ment under the UN Pacific Strategy to advance on the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs is maintained, strengthened, and documented
• UN inter-agency working group on • Communications Strategies are strengthened in line with highlighting inter-agency work on Climate Change and Youth engagement • Partnership with relevant Pacific Youth entities is strengthened, resulting in optimised en-try points for cooperation • The RC and UN system has updated and accurate supporting documents in relations to Country Climate Change Profiles and Youth Agendas. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development dur-ing the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

working with academia, research organization, private sector, NGOs or international/multilateral organisations on climate change, environmental sustainability, communications, social media, and/or youth engagement
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience or another cultures, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded

The Federated States of Micronesia ( FSM), often referred to as Micronesia, is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states – from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae – that are spread across the western Pacific. Together, the states comprise around 607 islands that cover a longitudinal distance of almost 2,700 km (1,678 mi) just north of the equator. While the FSM's total land area is quite small, the country's waters occupy more than 2,600,000 km2 (1,003,866 sq mi) of the Pacific Ocean, giving the country the 14th-largest exclusive economic zone in the world. The nation's capital is Palikir, located on Pohnpei Island, and the state capital of Pohnpei is Kolonia. FSM is spread across part of the Caroline Islands in the wider region of Micronesia, which consists of thousands of small islands divided among several countries. Each of the four states is centered on one or more main high islands, and all but Kosrae include numerous outlying atolls. As a federal republic, each state not only has its own distinct history, culture, geography and language, it is also governed through a State Government linked to the Federal Government. The total population of FSM is around 110,000, with 35,000 living on Pohnpei. The FSM was formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), a United Nations Trust Territory under U.S. administration, but it formed its own constitutional government on May 10, 1979, becoming a sovereign state after independence on November 3, 1986, under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The FSM has a seat in the United Nations and has been a member of the Pacific Community since 1983. FSM is a hardship duty station level C, thus it is important to be flexible and open-minded as the conditions are relatively basic. The country has remained COVID-19 free throughout the pandemic and is only just opening up with flights and travel returning to normal by August 2022. There are several health care centres and a main hospital, where basic health care is provided. English is spoken widely across the country although the most common languages of communication are the state local languages, i.e. Pohnpei an in Pohnpei. There is a functioning international postal service and there are two main supermarkets on island, and two electronics stores. There is a small number of diners and several hotels and resorts available for on island tourism. All other types of of goods need to be purchased via mail order. Amazon delivers to FSM. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom apartments to small houses, both furnished and unfurnished. These are modest but all amenities are provided, but flexibility is required. Public transport in the form of taxis is cheap and reliable, depending on how directly you need to get to your destination as most taxis are group taxis. FSM enjoys year-round daily tropical temperatures of between 25-29 degrees with generally high humidity, and monsoon type rainfall on a near daily basis. There is a moderate risk of tropical storms and severe weather events. Pohnpei, and FSM more generally, is a natural paradise covered in rainforest and surrounded by lagoons and the Pacific Ocean. Most recreational activities are centred on outdoor activities and sports. Diving, snorkeling, fishing and sailing, as well as hiking are amongst the most popular leisure pursuits. In Kolonia there are several tennis courts and a public swimming pool. With some excellent tennis instructors being available, tennis is a also a very popular leisure activity amongst all. There are also two gyms and several running tracks/ location, and fitness classes are available.