Climate Change Specialist

Contract

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.

The 2018 General Assembly-mandated reform of the United Nations development system involved a set of far-reaching changes in the way the UN development system works to reposition the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. Specifically, the reform involved a reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system with an independent and empowered Resident Coordinator and RCO at its centre. The Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking development representative of the UN system in a country and leads the United Nations Country Team to deliver collective responses on the mutually agreed priorities in a country.

This position is therefore intended to support the UN’s vision for a deeper and more coordinated engagement in the lead up to COP28 and the subsequent year of the UAE’s COP Presidency (November 2023- November 2024), accelerating progress on the climate agenda, the commitments made during COP 28, and reflecting the ideals of the United Nations development system reform. The UNV will be required to work closely with UN system focal points, the UAE government counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office, and in the context of the UN’s support for climate action and the road to COP 28, the UN Volunteer will support the following:

• Document and identify new opportunities for UN engagement in climate action, with a particular focus on partnerships around inclusion and innovation.

• Facilitate connections between UN entities and potential partners toward new programming and partnerships.

• Assist in the deepening of the thematic dialogue to generate practical policy and programmatic climate solutions.

• Monitor and document UAE Government priorities and initiatives with regard to climate action and the COP 28 process.

• Establish and maintain relationships with key partners and stakeholders who have overlap-ping strategic interests with the UN in the field of climate action.

• Assist the inclusion of the widest spectrum of stakeholders in COP dialogue.

• Support and provide input to reporting requirements in relation to COP activities and events.

• Other related tasks.

In the second year of the assignment, the JPO will support the UN’s initiatives associated with the UAE’s COP Presidency and its overall climate action and environment portfolio, and the implementation of commitments made at COP 28.

Adaptability and Flexibility Client Orientation Communication Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Working in Teams

ecology, environmental sciences, social sciences, political science, international development or a related field, experience in Climate action, Programme management, and development coordination are desirable.

The United Arab Emirates presents high living conditions and no particular security or health risks.

The summer months in the UAE are rather hot and humid, with maximum temperatures at over 40°C. However, the winter months from October to March are cool in comparison, with an average temperature of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F), and hardly any rainfall at all before February.

All public and health services are available in Dubai, as well as cultural and other recreational activities.

Since this is an international UNV assignment, the holder will be responsible for the organization of his or her own home and the other essential elements of life. While the cost of accommodation can be high, the city offers many different options in the different areas.