Programme Assistant

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 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Established in 1972, the UNEP has among its main objectives to maintain the state of the global environment under continuous monitoring; to warn people and nations about problems and threats to the environment and to recommend measures to improve the quality of life of the population without compromising the environmental resources and services of future generations.

UNEP is one of the GEF agencies mandated with the role of supporting non- Annex 1 countries to prepare their national climate reports under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Currently, UNEP is supporting more than eighty-five (85) countries to meet their reporting obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, through the preparation and submission of National Communications (NCs), Biennial Update Reports (BURs) and Biennial Transparency Report (BTRs).

This post is in UNEP’s Economy Division, GEF Climate Change Mitigation Unit at the Bangkok, Thailand duty station. Under the direct supervision of UNEP’s Enabling Activities Task Manager, the UNV Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Project Design (concept phase):

Project/Programme Development • Verify Project Identification Forms (PIFs): grammar, spelling, acronyms, uniformity in presentation / formatting, consistency of information in tables and text, completeness of all required sections and ensure that all necessary corrections are incorporated. • Draft Letters of Endorsement (LoE) using the GEF approved templates for signing by the National GEF Operational Focal Points • Upload PIFs and responses to GEF Sec reviews on the GEF Portal.
• Ensure all documents are properly archived in the Climate Mitigation Unit shared database, using the standard file naming convention. • Ensure the project developers have the latest templates to prepare the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Endorsement Requests, including all required GEF and UNEP annexes / appendices. • Verify CEO Endorsement Request and annexes: grammar, spelling, acronyms, uniformity in presentation / formatting, consistency of information in tables and text, completeness of all required sections and ensure that all necessary corrections are incorporated. • Perform consistency checks on the information provided in the different interlinked CEO Endorsement Request annexes (i.e. Budget, Workplan, and Terms of References). • Upload CEO Endorsement Requests and responses to GEF Sec reviews on the GEF Portal.
• Support the Task Manager in coordinating with other UNEP units / teams, whenever needed. • Ensure all documents are properly archived in the Climate Mitigation Unit shared database, using the standard file naming convention.

Project Implementation: • Assist the Task Manager and Administrative Officer in preparing Project Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) and/or Internal Cooperation Agreements (ICAs) as well as compiling the standard appendices for the upcoming CEO endorsed GEF projects under the enabling activities portfolio. • Track circulation of new project internalizations and all projects revisions for the enabling activities portfolio through UNEP clearance and approval process. • Assist the Task Manager in reviewing project implementation plans, work plans and budgets; verify availability of funds; ensure necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system. • Assist the Task manager in reviewing agendas, terms of reference, presentation slides, and other documents prepared by the Executing Agencies for project inception workshops.
• Assist the Task Manager and Administrative Officer in communicating / coordinating with Executing Agencies on timelines to submit all required UNEP/GEF reports as per the requirements of the PCA / ICA. • Ensure the Executing Agencies use the right templates to meet these reporting requirements, and that all sections of the reports are duly completed. • Support the Task Manager in reviewing the required GEF/UNEP reports submitted by the Executing Agencies under the enabling activities portfolio.
• Support the Task Manager in reviewing budget and workplan revisions and provide guidance to the Executing Agencies as necessary for them to complete the documents correctly.
• Draft correspondence on budget-related issues and prepare and update periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets. • Assist in the follow-up on outstanding financial and progress reports with the Executing Agencies. • Support the Task Manager in coordinating with other UNEP units / teams, whenever needed. • Ensure all project reports for enabling activities portfolio are properly named and filed in the Climate Mitigation Unit shared database. • Track the submission, review and approval of all required GEF/UNEP reports of enabling activities portfolio and ensuring that the tracking tool is up to date. • Support the Task Manager in preparation of annual reports on status of NC & BUR/BTR for submission to the GEF, as and when needed

Project Evaluations and Closure:
• Assist in creating / populating the evaluation database / repository with relevant project information, reports, deliverables and documents.

General: • Provide general administrative and coordination support to the Task Manager and the Administrative Officer.
• Maintain and keep up-to-date project folders / files. • File and archive documentation and reports in the Climate Mitigation Unit shared database, following the standard file naming convention. • Support the Task manager in organization of meetings within the climate mitigation unit as well as with national partners • Perform other related duties as assigned by the Task Manager.

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:

• As an active UNEP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNEP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Project database and filing system maintained in line with standard filing / naming convention for the enabling activity portfolio. • Progress reports, expenditure report and cash requests for enabling activities portfolio reviewed and comments provided to executing partners where needed • PCAs / ICAs for CEO endorsed/approved GEF projects under the enabling activities portfolio are prepared. • Executing agency partners receive timely guidance on completing UNEP/GEF reports and cash requests. • Project extension and revision documents are in line with the GEF and UNEP guidelines • Annual report on implementation of NC, BUR and BTR projects prepared and submitted to the GEF Secretariat • 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: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNEP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • 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: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • 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; • 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.

environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental engineering, natural resources management, natural sciences, physical sciences, economics or in a related field; • Relevant professional work experience at the national level; experience in assisting with project administration / coordination is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • 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; • Knowledge of the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change processes is an added advantage • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel • Computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; • Self-motivated, ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in climate change related issues, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is an assignment for the Thai Nationals, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

UNV 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 Unified Condition of Service https://explore.unv.org/cos. For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly living Allowance (per month) around 48000 Thai Baht Entry Lump Sum (onetime payment) USD 400 Exit Allowance (for each month served paid on completion of assignment) USD 112.82 Medical and Life Insurance Coverage Travel Ticket when moving to the duty station: USD 200

Leave entitlements:

Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified Sick Leave: 30 days Uncertified Sick Leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days