Climate Policy and Strategic Alliances Associate
Support national climate governance and implementation processes.
Overview
Support national climate governance and implementation processes.
You have:
- Demonstrated interest in planning, implementing and/or managing programmes and/or projects related to development, with a preference for climate and environment.
- Good understanding and/or direct work experience with development agencies such as international organizations and/or national or international NGOs.
- Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
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.
Guatemala ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995. The country submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC for the first time in 2015. With the support of UNDP and other partners, it has re-vised and updated its NDC between the end of 2020 and 2021. The updated NDC sets out the adaptation and mitigation targets and measures that the country commits to realise by 2025 and 2030. In addition, the NDC implementation roadmap has been developed. During these highly participatory processes, the country has improved many capacities as the updated NDC presents clear sectoral targets and measures and set out a governance platform and respon-sibilities among public, private, academic, civil society and cooperation sectors. In addition, the country has recently developed its Third National Communication on Climate Change (2021), the First Biennial Update Report (2022), which are repositories of national information on adaptation and mitigation, and updated its National Inventories of GHG emissions for the period 1990-2018. However, there are gaps in consolidating existing governance structures to effectively coordi-nate the implementation of defined climate change plans and processes and achieve inclusive and robust climate action. UNDP therefore is implementing several initiatives that seek to strengthen the existing condi-tions for improving climate implementation capacity in the country. Among them, UNDP is supporting the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, through the GEF-funded Ca-pacity-building Initiative for Transparency project which aims to meet the requirements of Arti-cle 13 of the Paris Agreement, as well as through the Climate Promise Initiative to help coun-tries meeting their NDC targets, and preparation of the biennial transparency report. The UNV will assist the Energy and Environment portfolio to further support national efforts in institutionalising climate processes and strengthening its climate governance system, promot-ing stakeholder empowerment and strengthening inclusiveness.
Under the direct supervision of the Energy and Environment Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
•Support the CO Energy and Environment portfolio in relation to policy and governance under UNDP’s Strategic Framework; •Assist in providing policy advice, strategic guidance, coordination for, work plans and programmes/projects on sustainable development, climate change, natural resources management, environmental management, as well as assist the development, review and management of relevant documents. •Facilitate the communication and coordination within the stakeholders to enhance climate change policies and implementation processes. •Support in advocating strategic partnership, best practices and policy dialogue in support of enhanced governance for climate change, climate resilient pathways, low carbon strategies and the Nationally Determined Contribution -NDC-; •Assist consultation processes and information exchange among development partners in the country aiming to leveraging and mobilizing their initiatives to implement the NDC and related processes. •Elaborate meeting minutes and supporting documents for NDC consultation and implementation processes. •Support in strengthening cooperation with stakeholders and sectors to accelerate the NDC implementation and review the progress to accelerate the monitoring and implementation of the NDC, LEDS and climate mitigation and adaptations strategies. •Support financial assessments, gap analysis, and financial strategies derived from NDC update and implementation processes. •Assist in building capacities in the CO in climate policy, governance mechanism, cli-mate planning, and prepare the development of related materials, online tools and information kits.
☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams
or demonstrated interest in:
•Planning, implementing and/or managing programmes and/or projects related to de-velopment - with preference for programmes/projects related to on climate and envi-ronment. •Interest in processes of collective and participatory construction of development pro-grammes, projects and policies. •Good understanding and/or direct work experience with development agencies such as international organisations and/or national or international NGOs.
Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volun-teer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
The largely mountainous country is located in Central America south east of Mexico. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in south, and it has a narrow coastline on the Caribbean Sea. Border countries are Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico. It has a strong indigenous culture. It is mountainous, forested and dotted with Mayan ruins, lakes, volcanoes and or-chids. Guatemala’s climate is directly related to its altitude and proximity to the coasts. The tierra templada (temperate country) where the Capital is located extends from 750 to 1,660 meters (2,460 to 5,445 feet) above sea level, where day temperatures average from 24°C to 26°C (75°F to 79°F), and night temperatures average from 15.5°C to 21°C (60°F to 70°F). Two main seasons prevail: dry (November-April) and wet (May-October). The country some-times faces road blockages that are motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues. Although the majority of serious crime involves local gangs, incidents are usually indiscriminate and can occur in tourist areas. Despite the high levels of crime, most visits to Guatemala are trouble-free and unaffected by crime.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a project you've managed that involved climate change policies? | This question assesses your direct experience with climate-related projects. | Discuss specific climate projects, your role, and the outcomes. |
| How do you approach stakeholder engagement in climate policy? | The interviewer wants to understand your skills in collaboration and communication. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to evaluate the success of climate initiatives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to advocate for a policy change. What was your approach? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What do you think are the biggest challenges facing climate governance in Guatemala? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |