Policy and Innovation 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 Water-Energy-Food Nexus is at the heart of sustainable development (UN Water, 2023) . It is a conceptual framework that recognizes the intricate and interdependent relationship between water, energy, and food systems (FAO, 2014 , Daher, B., et al, 2021 ). At its essence, this concept emphasizes that actions in one sector can have cascading effects on the others. It seeks to address the complex challenges arising from the interconnected nature of water, energy, and food resources. Understanding and managing this nexus is crucial for achieving sustainable development and ensuring resilience in the face of evolving global dynamics.

Water is essential for agricultural irrigation and energy production, energy is required for water extraction, treatment, and transportation, while food production demands both water and energy inputs. 72% of all freshwater withdrawals are used by agriculture, 16% by industries, and 12% by municipalities, and therefore, rising water stress is affecting food security and biodiversity (UN Water, 2023). The food production and supply chain accounts for about 30% of total global energy consumption (FAO, 2011) , while 90% of global power generation is water-intensive, where power plant cooling is responsible for 43% of total freshwater withdrawals in Europe (more than 50% in several countries) (UN, 2014) .

This interdependence creates a delicate balance where decisions and policies affecting one sector inevitably impact the others. Striking an equilibrium in managing these resources is vital to ensure the sustainability and security of water, energy, and food systems on a local and global scale.

UNDP Indonesia, in collaboration with BAPPENAS will study the intricate Nexus of these important resources, and will explore the importance of Policy and governance, Technologies and Finance in propelling the Nexus thinking forward. Dynamic interaction between the three resources, and how to measure the Nexus will also be part of this initiative.

This UNV assignment is part of Program Integration and Development Analyses Team, UNDP Indonesia. The Policy and Innovation Specialist: Nexus of Water Energy and Food will be report to Senior Advisor of Program Integration and Development Analyses, and work of team of consultants, and partners.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Senior Advisor of Program Integration and Development Analyses or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Policy and Innovation Specialist: Nexus of Water Energy and Food will provide:

1. Technical assistance on Nexus Water Energy and Food Initiative • Provide technical assistance and advice related to the Nexus of WEF to partners of the initiative, especially to BAPPENAS and other related stakeholders. • Facilitate the procurement process to engage experts for the studies. • Coordinate national experts engaged for the studies, for timely and high quality implementation. • Monitor the work of each expert and ensure the high quality and timely completion. • Support and facilitate public dialogues and or discussion for each of the studies focus, including logistic and administrative necessities. • Support and facilitate the launching event for Indonesia Nexus Water-Energy-food Blueprint, including procurement of logistic support and venue.

2. Support on Admin and Finance for the initiative • Support Senior Advisor on the admin-finance related work for the Nexus initiative and the work in the Program Integration team. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

Results/expected outputs:

• Water-energy-food nexus adoption in Indonesia, including policies, and sample initiatives mapped and analysed. • Tech and financing the water-energy-food nexus mapped and analysed. • ‘Evaluation framework’ developed to measure successful nexus project/program. • Promotional materials on the nexus thinking for SDG acceleration, targeting government (nat and subnational), private sectors, NGOs and communities developed, and • Indonesia’s water-energy-food nexus ‘blueprint’ developed. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

☒ Accountability ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Self-Management ☒ Working in Teams

the area related to the Nexus Initiatives, management/policies/financing of one of the resources at the national and/or international level. • Experience in system-thinking approach in resource management will be preferred. • Experience working with government partners, both at national and sub national level. • Experience working with broad range of partners; government, private sectors, NGOs • Experience in facilitating studies and or assessment. • Experience with the UN system and procedures is preferred.

This position will be based in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia where there are many options for transportation, accommodation, and food. The candidate can easily access medical facilities, banking facilities, market, communications, water, and electricity.

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 Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.