Marine Litter Liaison Specialist

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 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of the sustainable development agenda within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The UNEP’s global initiative on marine litter, in response to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/30, adopts the formation of cooperation and the coordination of actions to control and manage marine litter. Devotion is evident through the Global Programme of Action for the protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA). Marine litter has emerged as a major global marine pollution issue since 2006, as confirmed at the 5th international Marine Debris Conference (IMDC) in 2011, and through the formation of a Marine Debris Task Team led by UNEP/GPA within UN Oceans in 2011.

This position is located in the Busan office of the Regional Coordinating Unit of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP). The overall goal of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan is: the wise use, development and management of the coastal and marine environment so as to obtain the utmost long-term benefits for the human populations of the region, while protecting human health, ecological integrity and the region’s sustainability for future generations. Three subsidiary and complementary goals of the NOWPAP are: 1. The control, halting and prevention of any further degradation and deterioration of the coastal and marine environment and its resources; 2. The recovery and rehabilitation of coastal and marine environments that have been degraded and which still have the potential for such a recovery; 3. The long-term sustainability of coastal and marine environmental quality and resources as assets for the present and future human populations of the region.

NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP-MALI) was adopted by the NOWPAP member states in 2008. The goal of the NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) is to improve the quality of the marine and coastal environment of the Northwest Pacific region by addressing the marine litter problem through cooperation and partnerships. An updated action plan is under development and pending adoption.

The first International Marine Debris Conference (IMDC) was held in 1984 in Hawaii. This series is the largest and longest-running international scientific forum for discussing the many aspects of marine debris. The most recent event, the Sixth International Marine Debris Conference, was held in March 2018 in San Diego, California. The next IMDC, known as 7IMDC, will be in September 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The National UN Volunteer will work from the Regional Coordinating Unit Busan Office of NOWPAP and be supporting activities of both NOWPAP and GPML on marine litter related aspects. Duties include 75% on 7 IMDC coordination, and 25% support to NOWPAP related duties. Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Northwest Pacific Action Plan or his/her designated mandated representative(s), as well as in close coordination with the Programme Officer of the Busan Office, the UN National Volunteer will:

1. Coordination for the 7 IMDC: • Assist with planning, coordination and follow-ups for the 7 IMDC. • Coordinate logistics for the Conference, including invitation, registration, travel, accommodation, DSA, etc. • Coordinate the list of speakers and presentations. • Liaise with conference services, note-takers and interpreters. • Support budget and finance management. • Support development of conference webpage and document upload. • Coordinate and provide input to meeting documents and reports. • Liaise with venue manager, and support conference room and catering arrangements. • Support the review and selection processes for technical sessions, abstracts, posters, and travel awards • Support the preparation of the conference proceedings after the event.

2. NOWPAP’s Marine Litter related work:

• Assists in developing and maintaining close collaboration with NOWPAP stakeholders. • Promote the Global Partnership on Marine Litter and its digital platform and contribute input to it where relevant. • Support the NOWPAP RCU and GPML with technical research related to marine litter. • Participate and staff meetings as necessary and appropriate. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

As mentioned above, the incumbent will have a matrix reporting. In GPML, the incumbent will be supervised by the Pollution Free Ecosystems Unit (Heidi Savelli-Soderberg, Programme Management Officer and David Marquis, Associate Programme Manager), in NOWPAP - the incumbent will be supervised by the NOWPAP RCU (Dr. Yegor Volovik, NOWPAP Coordinator, and Dr. Ning Liu, NOWPAP Programme Officer). The officers mentioned above in both PFE/GPML and NOWPAP will provide the overall coordination of work.

Results/expected outputs:

Efficient, timely and high-quality support rendered to the 7 IMDC and NOWPAP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Provide comprehensive and timely support to the 7 IMDC • Support coordination activities of RCU in marine litter related activities in NOWPAP. • Assist the RCU team in proper financial implementation of marine litter projects’ resource under the guidelines of UNEP and the Member States. • Prepare inputs for and drafts of donor reports according to NOWPAP and donor guidelines.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNEP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNEP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• coordination, stakeholder and partnership management, project implementation support or related. • or 5 years additional years of experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree will be considered. • At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in communication, media or other relevant programmes.

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet. • Familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision. • Ability to work with tight deadlines. Desirable: Knowledge of the Drupal based website. • Have affinity with or interest in environmental protection and marine environments .

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

-National UN Volunteer Specialist receives approximately KRW 2,851,333 as Monthly Living Allowance. -Provided with assignment travel cost and entry lumpsum if applicable. -Enrolled in health, life, disability insurance. -Applicable dependents (primary family unit, up to 3) are eligible for health insurance. -Entitled to annual leave, 2.5 days per month. -Provided with exit lumpsum to support transition at the end of assignment.

For more information about UNV Conditions of Service and Entitlements, please refer to the following: -https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-abroad -https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf