Nature and Climate Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world by land area and has immense diversity in terms of climate, vegetation, land use, population, social patterns, and economic activities. It is endowed with large tracts of fertile land, abundant water and forest resources, as well as minerals and reserves of oil and natural gas. In this context, the country presents immense opportunities to reconcile sustainable economic development, adopting measures to combat climate change, reducing its impacts and concomitantly, favouring the conservation of its biodiversity. The UN Volunteer will support the development and execution of projects under the scope of Nature for Climate, which encompasses actions on Climate Change Adaptation, UN Decade on Restoration and Climate Finance, among other areas of work. The main projects in this portfolio are: GEF Sustainable Cities - Promoting integrated metropolitan planning and innovative urban technology investments in Brazil, implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology. IFACC – Innovative Finance for Amazon, Chaco and Cerrado, Climate Finance UNIT and national partners. National Plan on Bioeconomy, partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Decade of Restoration – partnership with FAO and national partners. The UN Volunteer will be based in Brasilia and may travel on mission to other areas of the country.

Under the direct supervision of the UNEP Brazil CO Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support implementation of projects under Nature for Climate portfolio • Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; • Monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions; • Support technical discussions and prepare minutes of the meetings with partners; • Assist in policy development, review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies. • Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources. • Undertake survey initiatives; reviews, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems or issues and prepare conclusions. • Prepare various written outputs, like draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications • Provide support to consultative and other meetings, conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of document, presentations and final notes.

Adaptability and Flexibility; Communication; Ethics and Values; Knowledge sharing; Planning and Organizing; Self-management; and Working in teams.

development/ implementation of Nature and Climate Change projects/ initiatives • Good Interpersonal relationship skills to work closely with partners and the UNEP team. Ability to make inter-institutional articulation and to establish interfaces among project partners, government bodies, institutions, companies, and others; • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Capacity to write technical reports, texts and documents. • Ability to make effective use of software and other tools required for the position. • Capacity to assist in the technical evaluation of the products and activities submitted to the coordination of the project; • Ability to deal with confidential issues; • Ability to perform planned activities in accordance with the guidelines provided.

Desirable Work Experience • Experience in and understanding of the methodologies and processes related to the indicators of Sustainable Development Goals; • Experience in working with the UN System and at international level • Experience in working with multiple stakeholders and intergovernmental processes

Brazil is a South America’s largest and only Portuguese-speaking country. A considerable number of expatriates lives in Brazil. Security is generally good with some exceptions and caution is always advisable in larger cities. UNDSS provides clear security guidelines, as well as risk and mitigation measures, which can be consulted at their website. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. Brazil offers free and universal medical care; however, quality of services may vary depending on the extent to which given medical establishments are funded. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide. Rent for small one-bedroom apartments range from 200 USD (unfurnished) to 600 USD (furnished) per month. UN Volunteers are also encouraged to share accommodation. Brasilia is located in the country's centre-western region. Although Brasília is used as a synonym for the Federal District through synecdoche, the Federal District is composed of 31 administrative regions, only one of which is the area of the originally planned city, also called Plano Piloto. Brasília and its metro area were estimated to be Brazil's 3rd most populous city, with 3.039.444 people. Among major Latin American cities, Brasília has the highest GDP per capita, and the Federal District has a high HDI (0.839). All three branches of Brazil's federal government are centred in the city: executive, legislative, and judicial. Brasília also hosts 124 foreign embassies. The city's international airport connects it to all other major Brazilian cities and many international destinations and is the third busiest airport in Brazil. Brasilia is located at the top of the Brazilian highlands in the country's centre-western region, at 1,172 m. The Paranoá Lake is a large artificial lake that was built to increase the amount of water available and to maintain humidity. It has a tropical savanna climate (Aw, according to the Köppen climate classification), with two distinct seasons: a rainy season from October to April and a dry season from May to September. The average temperature is 22ºC, rising to over 30ºC during the hottest period. The hottest month in Brasilia is September and the coolest month is July. The currency used in Brazil is called Real (BRL). In March 2023, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 5.17 BRL. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Brazil accept the main international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. To enter Brazil, a valid passport is required. Nationals of other countries may be required an entry visa or long stay visa. They should contact the closest Brazilian representation. The UNV Field Unit can assist in booking temporary accommodation for the first nights at UN Volunteer expenses, which can be extended or not at UN Volunteer discretion until getting a permanent accommodation. Note: For all international travel to Brazil, security clearance must be requested a minimum of 7 days prior to travel. It is strongly recommended that Volunteers be duly vaccinated against Covid-19 and yellow fever. Brazil is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable.