Climate Change Outreach and Coordination 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 UN Resident Coordinator (RC) for MCO Fiji provides leadership to the MCO Fiji UN Country Team and to Pacific Joint UN Country Team and the UN’s programming work, as outlined in the UN Pacific Strategy, in support of national priorities. The RC has a team composed of national and international staff, forming the RC Office (RCO), and is based in Suva (Fiji). The RC oversees 5 Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific SIDS or PSIDS), namely Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Twenty-six resident and non-resident UN entities are signatories to the UNPS and members of The Pacific Joint UN Country Team. The current UN Development Assistance Framework (Pacific Strategy) covers 14 countries and territories and outlines UN’s engagement in support of these countries’ nation-al strategic priorities. The current cycle is for the years 2018-2022 and new cycle is currently in the roll-out process. The UN Pacific Strategy has six outcome areas and is monitored through 38 indicators.

The RCO fulfils ten core coordination functions, namely strategic analysis and planning; oversight of the UN country programming cycle; representation of and support of UN Secretariat and UN agencies (incl. non-resident agencies); support to national coordination systems and processes; development and management of shared operational support services; crisis management preparedness and re-sponse; external communication and advocacy; human rights and development; joint resource mobili-sation and fund management; and general UNCT oversight and coordination. This position is part of the Resident Coordinator Multi-Country Office in Fiji, with duty station in Fiji.

Under the direct supervision of the UN RCO Team Leader & Strategic Planner, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Support the Regional Coordination Specialist in: • the development and implementation of partnerships between the UNCT and the regional bod-ies such as Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) as well as sub-regional entities in the area of climate change; • the development and implementation of regional partnerships focusing on addressing resili-ence and ongoing climate change threats, in particular via support to the Pacific Resilience Fa-cility.

Support in development and maintenance of Country Climate Change profiles for all 5 countries. • Include priorities, govt strategies, VNR synopsis, etc. • Maintain a climate change related folder of updated relevant documents. • Maintain list of contacts, CSO’s and other NGO’s. • Support the roll-out process – CCA and CF from the perspective of climate change. • Reach out to key UN entities working in Climate Change at Global and Regional level (Issue Based Coalitions; SGs initiative on CC, etc) establish contact with them and facilitate infor-mation flow. • Identify interlinkages between climate change and other Areas of work of the UN to ensure Climate Change is mainstreamed across.

Support Country Coordinators in the organization of climate change and youth outreach activities in-country, especially amongst three target groups - Women and Girls, Youth and Persons with Disabilities • Collect and document the voices of youth, women and people living with disabilities in small is-land developing states to document the impact of climate change.

Support UN Pacific Strategy outcome Group 1: Climate Change, Disaster Resilience and Environmental Protection (or its alternative under the new CF) providing secretariat, coordination, and substantive support. • Track climate related advocacy dialogues/developments and develop a monthly overview of key highlights to be shared with Outcome Group 1.
• Revise all joint UN initiatives that have Climate Change aspects/focus and explore how to en-hance their catalytic character. • Do a mapping of Climate Change work across UN agencies for all countries under the Fiji MCO. • Identify/map options for climate change related funding and support RCO and respective UN entities in preparation of project proposals.

Assists the Communications Analyst and UN Communications Group in the designing, drafting and implementation of communications content and strategies in relation to climate change agenda. • Identify significant global days that need to be commemorated and develop a forward outreach plan for each. • Support in the designing, drafting and sharing of news stories, success stories, blog posts, posters, videos, infographics and other products pertaining to climate change and youth as well as general UN activities in-country. • Supports the creation and maintenance of a photo bank.

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Communication
• Creativity
• Judgement and Decision-making
• Knowledge Sharing
• Professionalism
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

climate change and its impact, international development. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. stud-ies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Fiji, one of the larger countries of the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of human devel-opment and is one of the most developed economics in the region. Fiji became independent in 1970. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 900,000, is growing slowly due to a moder-ately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar produc-tion and tourism, but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector of em-ployment. The unit of currency is Fiji Dollar.

Fiji comprises of approximately 330 islands, approximately third of which are inhabited. Fiji covers about 1.3 million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital city is Suva and is located on the South Eastern side of the main island of Viti Levu.

Fiji's population is made up of a mixture of native Melanesian and Polynesian islanders, and a blend of Indian, European, Chinese, Rotuman and Rabi islanders making it a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, sights, sounds and exotic island delicacies. English is spoken widely on the Island and it is the com-mon language of communication although the native indigenous Fijian language is spoken by many as is the Hindi language.

Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that sur-round its islands. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous. Fiji enjoys year-round tropical temperatures of between 25-29 degrees with generally high humidity, mak-ing it a perfect location for sun-lovers.

Suva, the capital of Fiji, has a population of approximately 141,000, and it is a multiracial and multicul-tural city. Suva is the largest city in the whole of the region but remains easy-going and friendly. It has reasonably modern facilities including two large hospitals, sporting facilities, restaurants and supermar-kets. Modest accommodation is readily available in Suva, but availability of small apartments is limited; an open mind and flexibility come in handy when looking for housing in Suva. The public transport is quite good: local busses run every day of the week, and taxis are affordable. Public transport is availa-ble also for exploring and visiting other parts of the country, which provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and tropical nature.

Fiji along with many other Pacific islands is known for being one of the friendliest nations in the world. It is a unique country and UN RCO is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching en-vironment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and com-mitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in isolated, harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving phys-ical hardship and little comfort, are essential.