Development Coordination Officer – Environment and Climate Change

Volunteering Environment

Overview

Support UNRCT on environmental issues related to climate change.

You have:

• Project or programme management in areas related to climate change, biodiversity or pollution at national or international level.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation as well as in a developing country would be an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners at different levels.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 (Cooperation Framework) is the overarching strategy bringing together the work of the 25 different UN agencies, fund, and programmes in the UN Country Team (UNCT) to support national development priorities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Cooperation Framework includes four strategic priorities: People’s Wellbeing; Inclusive Prosperity; Governance and Rule of Law; and Environment, Climate Change, and Resilience.

This position will support work under the fourth strategic priority, Environment, Climate Change, and Resilience, which is coordinated through a dedicated Results Group co-chaired by FAO and UN-Habitat.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) serves as the secretariat to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT), providing organisational, advisory and management support, and facilitating the UN System’s joint strategic planning. The RCO draws on the expertise and experience of the entire UN family, promoting and supporting information exchange, cooperation and collaboration amongst UN agencies, and facilitating joint initiatives, for instance on the localisation of the SDGs.

Embedded in the RCO, the UN Volunteer “Development Coordination Officer – Environment and Climate Change” is expected to support the UNRC and UNCT on environmental issues, in particular to support the work of the UNCT Results Group 4.

As a member of the UN family in Lao PDR, the UN Volunteer is expected to make contributions to the implementation of the Cooperation Framework 2022-2026, advancing the UN development system reform agenda, enhancing synergies and impacts of the UN agencies’ support to Lao PDR in addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The UN Volunteer will work in partnership with UN colleagues to ensure successful programme coordination and implementation to achieve the UNSDCF results.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Economist, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provide support to the Resident Coordinator, Result Group Co-Chairs, and RCO on engagements related to climate change and environmental protection • Act as technical focal point providing inputs to processes related to climate change and environmental protection; • Support the RCO and Result Group Co-Chairs annual reporting and work planning processes relating to climate change and environmental issues; • Support the UNRC and Result Group to further develop and maintain close strategic relationships with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, amongst others; • Support the UNRC and Result Group in maintaining effective strategic working relationships with other external stakeholders, in particular development partners, on climate change and environmental issues.

2. Provide support to the UNRC and UN country team’s activities under the UN Results Group on Environment, Climate Change and Resilience, and its outputs on Green Growth, on Resilience and on Natural Resource Management: • Actively participate in the activities of the RG on Environment, Climate Change and Resilience and of other RGs and Thematic Groups, as necessary, to support and advise on the integration of climate change and environmental considerations into UN programmes and projects; • Provide inputs to the inter-agency work of the UN in Lao PDR and promote the integration of climate change and environmental considerations in joint-UN planning and programming; • Maintain close relationship and support FAO and UN-Habitat as agencies leading UNCT coordination on environmental issues in Lao PDR.

• Adaptability and flexibility • Communication • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Working in Teams

Project or programme management in areas related climate change, biodiversity or pollution at national or international level. Experience in monitoring and evaluation as well as in a developing country would be an asset.

Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

Living conditions in Vientiane Capital are relatively good and comfortable but residents must be able to adapt to the tropical climate, defined wet season and sometimes underdeveloped infrastructure, especially health facilities. The UN Clinic provides health services for all staff and dependents but for some specialised treatments it is necessary to seek health care outside Lao PDR. Most commodities may be purchased in Vientiane or just across the border in Thailand. Bag snatching (relatively rare incidents) and traffic accidents are the main hazards in Vientiane Capital. In rural areas, infrastructure, facilities and access to general commodities are in poorer conditions.

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Potential interview questions

Added 7 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org