International Conference on Sustainable Ocean Economy and Climate Change Adaptation Intern

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Background

The Blue Economy

Between 3.5 and 7% of global GDP is derived from the oceans (UNCTAD, 2020); however, they are under considerable threat from climate change, overfishing and marine pollution. The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused deep disruptions in the ocean economy. Sustainable ocean economy, or the Blue Economy, is an emerging concept which refers to the development of ocean economic activities in an integrated and sustainable way. Blue Economy includes different economic sectors, including renewable energies, coastal and marine tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport, waste management and marine conservation. A sustainable ocean economy approach goes beyond considering the ocean as the sole provider of economic resources. Instead, it calls for the protection and restoration of natural resources while seeking improvement of human well-being and social equity. Such an approach must fully anticipate and incorporate the impacts of climate change and ensure that COVID-19 responses including economic stimulus packages contribute to building forward better for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable Blue Economy.

The challenge of marine plastic pollution

One of the greatest threats to oceans is man-made pollution. 80% of plastics found in the ocean originate from land-based sources and 8 million tons of plastic enter the sea every year. Marine pollution from industrial, agricultural and other land-based activities threaten marine life and habitat and have severe impacts on economy and society.

Climate change adaptation

For developing and vulnerable countries, ensuring adequate adaptation strategies and building resilience for vulnerable communities are crucial, as these communities bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 crisis while exhibiting specific vulnerabilities related to a lack of finance, limited alternative livelihoods, social safety nets, and food security. If no adaptation measures are taken, projections indicate that sea level rise will increase the risk of storm surges and inundation, displace millions of people, cause potentially enormous losses of lives, property, infrastructure, livelihoods and habitats, and threaten food security by disrupting food supply and distribution systems.

Climate-related security risks

Climate change is already giving rise to new displacement pressures – the Global Compact on Refugees, adopted at the UN General Assembly in December 2018, recognises that climate change, environmental degradation and natural disasters increasingly interact with the drivers of refugee movements. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 crisis has underscored the increasingly complex and interactional risks posed by natural disasters, pandemics and other emergencies in an increasingly connected world, which are likely to increase inequalities and further burden already vulnerable groups.

Finance for Climate Change Adaptation and the Blue Economy

Access to finance is critically important to build forward better from the COVID-19 crisis and address climate change to ensure a climate-resilient Blue Economy and the achievement of SDG 13 and SDG 14. Developed countries pledged to mobilize 100 billion USD a year in overall climate finance by 2020 for developing countries, but actual investments have not reached that mark. The Blue Economy has often been overlooked in COVID-19 stimulus measures to date, especially in view of the pandemic’s devastating impacts on workers, communities and sectors reliant on the Blue Economy. During the current decade, countries will need to explore different opportunities and sources for climate finance such as leveraging private sector finance, exploring blue bonds, and developing climate risk insurance schemes.

The International Conference on Sustainable Ocean Economy and Climate Change Adaptation

The Government of Viet Nam, in the context of its role as a non-permanent member at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 term and as part of its commitment as chair of the ASEAN network in 2020, will convene an international conference on sustainable ocean economy and climate change adaptation with the aim to accelerate action for a sustainable and resilient Blue Economy. The Government of Norway, which is co-chair of the High-Level Panel on Ocean Economy, will provide financial support and UNDP will provide technical support to the Government of Viet Nam to host this international conference in the first week of December 2021. The outcomes from the conference will feed into the discussions and debates at ASEAN, the UNSC and in other relevant regional and global forums in 2021 and beyond.

The Conference is expected to take place over two days in the first week of December 2021. The Conference will be organized in a hybrid format to accommodate online and in-person participation. In view of ongoing international travel constraints and uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants based outside Viet Nam are encouraged to participate online.

Delegations will be invited from more than 70 countries. Invitations for each country delegation are intended for a minister (or above) as head of delegation plus one or more additional delegates. Other participants will include experts, practitioners and representatives from international organizations and international finance institutions, research institutes, thinktanks and global centres of excellence, the private sector and NGOs and CSOs from developing and developed countries.

Internship

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the International Programme Management Specialist at the UNDP Viet Nam Country Office, the Intern supports the substantive, technical and logistical preparations for the Conference by working closely with team members of the Climate Change and Environment (CCE) Unit and other relevant Programme and Operational staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Conference Invitations and Registrations for the Conference, for example updating the list of country delegations, chairs, presenters and other resource persons, and other invitees, preparation of invitation packages, and tracking the issuance and acceptance of invitations and registration, including regular summary reports and escalating issues and questions to relevant colleagues for guidance and actions as necessary.

2) Travel arrangements for international delegates to the Conference (if any), for example liaison with the delegate and follow up with CO colleagues on supportive arrangements as required in relation to visas, accommodation and funding for travel costs (if eligible).

3) Website and communications, for example updating the design for the conference website, drafting and editing of communications contents (online and other) and support to UNDP CO’s communications officers for planning and delivery of Conference communications.

4) Support to Conference planning and arrangements for example preparing the draft Annotated Agenda and related scripts and guidance notes for conference organizers and delegates, developing the logistics plan and venue layout diagram, support to the interpretation team, and other related tasks.

5) Other tasks that may be required, for example providing inputs to regular and final reporting on the Conference, taking minutes of preparation meetings, and updating the plan and calendar/schedule of preparation tasks.

Competencies

Competencies and Selection Criteria

Description of Competency at Level Required

(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)

In this section list all core competencies as well as the most relevant technical/functional competencies the role will require along with the appropriate level. A Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through the following link: https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 1: Assesses work with critical eye

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 1: Takes responsibility for and ensures high quality of own work

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 1: Understands personal and team roles, responsibilities and objectives

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 1: Reliably and consistently listens and interprets information and instruction correctly

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 1: Meets goals and timelines for team deliverables

Technical/Functional

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Competency Name

Effective Development Cooperation

Level 1: Replicate Reliably: Carry out work, as directed, and demonstrate motivation to develop)

Competency Name

Climate Change (General)

Level 1: Replicate Reliably: Carry out work, as directed, and demonstrate motivation to develop

Competency Name

Priority setting

Level 1: Replicate Reliably: Carry out work, as directed, and demonstrate motivation to develop

Competency Name

Data Management

Level 1: Replicate Reliably: Carry out work, as directed, and demonstrate motivation to develop

Competency Name

Knowledge Management

Level 1: Replicate Reliably: Carry out work, as directed, and demonstrate motivation to develop

Competency Name

Project Management

Level 1: Replicate Reliably: Carry out work, as directed, and demonstrate motivation to develop

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related area.

Experience:

A cumulative total of at least 12 months of internship or work experience in administrative and logistic tasks, event management, or related activities.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable

Other:

Describe any additional qualifications:

• Non-Smoking environment

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org