Operations Manager – UN Engagement at COP 28

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.

The 2018 General Assembly-mandated reform of the United Nations development system involved a set of far-reaching changes in the way the UN development system works to reposition the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. Specifically, the reform involved a reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system with an independent and empowered Resident Coordinator and RCO at its centre. The Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking development representative of the UN system in a country and leads the United Nations Country Team to deliver collective responses on the mutually agreed priorities in a country.

COP26, held in 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom, had two key outcomes, namely the Glasgow Climate Pact ushering in an era of accelerated implementation, and the signing the Paris Rule book to fully operationalize the 2015 Paris Agreement signed at COP21. COP27 to be held at Sharm El-Sheikh, will have an emphasis on mobilizing international support for mitigation and adaptation in Africa. COP28 is planned for November 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will include the first global stocktake on the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

This position is therefore intended to support the UN in its coordinated engagement in the lead-up to COP28 and the subsequent year of the UAE’s COP Presidency.

1. Provide operational support to the UN team in the lead-up to COP 28 and the year of the Presidency:

   • Support the management and planning of events associated with the COP processes.
   • Provide operational support to UN personnel, including high-level officials and visiting missions regarding their attendance at the COP (ie protocol and liaison functions, procurement, and security coordination).
   • Other related operations tasks as required.

2. Lead the setup and management of the UN Pavilion at COP 28 :

   • Coordinate with UAE authorities and the UNFCCC to set up and fit out the UN Pavilion at COP 28.
     • Lead the programming, curation, and scheduling of events in the UN Pavilion.
     • Coordinate with UNFCCC and COP 28 authorities to ensure smooth implementation of the schedule/programme calendar for the UN Pavilion.

3. Promote volunteerism and the mainstreaming of volunteering in support of national priorities in UAE:

   • Provide support to the RCO-UNV initiative with the UAE government to deploy UAE nationals in UNV assignments as university volunteers, including follow-up, provision of information, meeting attendance, and reporting on progress, as guided by UNV and RCO.
     • Promote the mobilization of UN Volunteers to support UN presence in COP28 by advocating for UNV talent solutions with the UNCT.
     • Support the promotion of volunteerism during COP28 at the UN Pavilion through a joint event or other activities with UN and national partners.
     • Assist in organizing a webinar for COP28 volunteers after the closure of COP28 to provide information on volunteering for the UN and to expand the UNV national talent pool in UAE.
     • Document the success stories of the volunteers during COP28 and integrate it into the COP28 report, as guided by the RCO and UNV RO.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

   - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
   - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
   - Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.   
   - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
   - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
   - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication
Integrity Planning and Organizing Professionalism Working in Teams

finance, administration, project management, event management, or a related area, experience in providing operational support to large-scale events is desirable. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities 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; • 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 dead-lines;

The United Arab Emirates presents high living conditions and no particular security or health risks.