Policy Assistant

Volunteering Environment

Overview

Support UNEP coordination and policy work in Brussels.

You have:

• High-level knowledge and experience with EU institutions.
• Good knowledge of environmental policy on global levels and in the EU.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English; strong writing of stories and proposals required.
• Ability to work in multicultural teams and adapt effectively.
• Familiarity with tools and approaches of communication for development.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Fluency in additional UN official languages is an advantage.

Contract

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

Part one: To support UNEP coordination of activities within the UN Brussels Team (UNBT) – in the function of UNEP as co-chair of European Green Deal Working Group; co-chair of Transition Task Force (after EU elections) and co-chair of Youth Working Group.

Part two: To support policy and communication work of UNEP Brussels team (specifically climate and energy).

With key objectives: - To increase capacity of Brussels Office to facilitate UNBT cooperation in the field of environment and climate change. - To increase capacity of Brussels Office for policy cooperate with the European institutions and Brussels-based partners. - To support impactful communication of UNEP’s advocacy messages in the year of transition (after European elections).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of UNEP Brussels Offices the UN Volunteer Officer will:

• Support the head of office in the UNBT (UN Brussels Team) with coordination tasks connected to the task forces and working groups where UNEP has leading role, especially UNBT European Green Deal (EUGD) Working Group: o preparing meetings of relevant working groups/task forces (incl agenda, minutes, coordination of UN joint messages, etc). o information sharing and dissemination within the UNBT EUGD working group.
• Support policy cooperation on climate and energy (with DG Clima, DG Energy) and other policy topics when relevant (incl human rights defenders – second half of 2024).
• Drafting documents for policy events organized by the Brussels Office.
• Drafting communication messages and articles.
• Support of organization of policy / advocacy events, e.g.: o event in the European Parliament on environmental multilateralism (autumn 2024) o presentation of UNEP flagship climate reports to EU stakeholders: Emissions Gap Report, Adaptation Gap Report) - October 2024 o support of preparations of EC-UNEP High-level meeting (February 2025)
• Support the office in intelligence gathering – EU Member States – political and policy developments.

Results/Expected Outputs: Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNBT and UNEP in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Facilitate cooperation with EU institutions; • Organize outreach events with youth representatives with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the EU Presidencies, EESC; and European Committee of the Regions; • Support the delivery of at least 3 advocacy initiatives in the region that raise the profile of UNEP’s work; • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • 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.

• Professionalism • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • 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.

the national or international level, working with EU institutions, in the UN or other international development organization, national organization or academic institutions; • High-level knowledge and experience with EU institutions; • Good knowledge of environmental policy on global level as well as in the EU; • Excellent oral and written skills – strong writer of stories and proposals that support the agenda of the week, excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills, and able to bring diverse group of individuals and partners together to agree a collective programme of work as well as able to write high quality reports and proposals as required; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • 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 multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Knowledge of project design: a strong track record of designing projects that secure buy-in and generate results, project management: able to deliver highly complex projects of a global nature efficiently and effectively; • 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, ability to think creatively about how to evolve pre- existing programmes to have maximum impact; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and with tight deadlines; Sound security awareness; • Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Working knowledge of additional UN official language is an advantage; Have affinity with or interest in Advocacy, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Brussels is a unique city to live and work in. It is the capital of Belgium and also of Europe. Headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (N.A.T.O.), Brussels is an international financial centre and home to the European headquarters of over two thousand multinationals. Brussels offers high-calibre scientific resources and has flexible economic infrastructures that have enabled it to keep pace with the great technological changes of the 21st century.

The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging for his/her own housing, transport, and other living essentials.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment. Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2232.72 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Family allowance: $250 per month for one dependent. $450 per month for two or more dependents Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): USD 225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. Uncertified sick leave: 7 days for 12 months and 4 days for shorter assignments Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months (shorter assignments are prorated) Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org