National Coordinator Insurance and Climate Adaptation

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.

Pacific Island countries are highly vulnerable to natural hazards like cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and droughts. Such events cause economic losses running into millions of dollars. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of naturally induced disasters, economic losses worsen. With limited insurance protection options in the region, many Pacific Islanders affected by disasters are left with nothing or are dependent on government assistance. These payments can take weeks, pushing vulnerable populations into poverty and economic hardship.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), through a joint programme with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), and in close collaboration with key stakeholders from the government, public, private sector and other development partners, aims to address the challenge through the workstreams envisaged in the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP). The Programme is aligned to the United Nations Pacific Strategy, UNCDF global strategies and the respective country national development plans. The Programme will specifically target women, youth and MSME segments to work across agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors.

The overall program objective is to improve the financial preparedness of “Pacific households, communities, small businesses, organisations and governments towards climate change and natural hazards” through a combination of stakeholder engagement, co-creation of solutions, awareness and capacity building, innovative financing options and digital linkages – with a robust interface to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Programme Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer National Coordinator- Insurance and Climate Adaptation will:

• Coordinate the implementation of UNCDF’s programme activities under the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation (PICAP) programme in Vanuatu with specific focus on developing CDRF solutions, like parametric insurance • Support the development of a pipeline of innovative projects and initiatives using UNCDF’s Technical Assistance facilities and blended finance instruments (e.g. grants, loans and guarantees); • Build and maintain strategic partnerships, capitalize on business opportunities and support in resource mobilization for the strategy in the country; • Support relevant ministeries and other entities from the Governments of various countries, such as the Ministry of Meteorology, Environment, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change and Communications, the Ministry of Labour, Commerce & Industries and the Central Banks to improve the countries policy and regulations to introduce Climate Disaster Risk Financing (CDRF) strategy to better manage economic losses after a disaster; • Support in partner relationship management with financial service providers like commercial banks, insurance service providers, fintechs, mobile money operators, remittance service providers etc. through financial and technical support from UNCDF; • Represent UNCDF in all country level workshops, conferences and other events where UNCDF is invited; • Facilitate country visits of regional technical specialists and other colleagues by liasing with partners in organizing meetings; • Support timely reporting from partners that have received support as may be required; • Contribute to knowledge management and communication by writing blog posts, focus notes etc. • Participate in field research, surveys and other customer facing interactions that provide inputs to development of new and innovative products and solutions

• Professionalism • Teamwork and respect for diversity: • Commitment to continuous learning: • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

3 year’s working in a commercial bank, other financial service providers or NGOs in a community based project

A South Pacific island nation, Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific Ocean. Located around 1,750 km east of Australia, 500 km north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and south of the Solomon Islands. The population of Vanuatu is 292,680 (2018 estimate). There are tens of thousands of people in Port Vila and Luganville, although most people live in the countryside. Ninety-five percent of Vanuatu's population is Melanesian, or Ni-Vanuatu, while the remainder is made up of Europeans, Asians, and other Pacific islanders. In Vanuatu, the rain forests are recognized as a distinct terrestrial ecoregion. Vanuatu's flora is believed to share some similarities with that of Solomon Islands to the north, with a few elements from Fiji, and very few from Australia or New Caledonia. Plant families, however, differ considerably. Over 65% of the population is dependent on subsistence or small-scale agriculture for their livelihood. Tourism (about 60,000 visitors in 2005) and offshore financial services are other economic mainstays. There are no known petroleum deposits in the country; mineral deposits are negligible. VAT (Value Added Tax) of 12.5 percent on goods and services provides the majority of tax revenues. During its colonial period, it was called New Hebrides. A flight to Vanuatu takes 2.5 hours from Brisbane and 3.5 hours from Sydney, Australia. The trip from Auckland, New Zealand takes a little over 2 hours. Among the regular airlines flying to Fiji are New Zealand, Honiara, Australia, and Noumea.