Programme Associate: International Water

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.

Healthy marine and freshwater ecosystems are critical to sustaining life on earth, and they underpin and connect ecosystems, human health, and key economic sectors. Yet they face unprecedented threats. Ocean ecosystems are under pressure from climate change, acidification, habitat loss, pollution, fishing, shipping, and seabed mining. Freshwater ecosystems face threats from climate change, urbanization, and increasing food demand. Marine and freshwater ecosystems are often transboundary. Conserving these ecosystems and ensuring they are managed sustainably thus requires that countries coordinate actions to secure a healthy environment for present and future generations. Given the critical role of marine and freshwater ecosystem and the threats they face, strong, informed management approaches are essential. Namibia is a semi-arid country with a long coastline, facing a number of environmental challenges and opportunities in the International Waters area. The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, one of the world's most productive marine ecosystems, is shared by Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Namibia is also a country highly vulnerable to climate change and resulting drought and water scarcity at transboundary level. This makes integrated water resource management imperative.

In the International Waters area, UNDP Namibia is currently supporting two projects: The Benguela Current Convention (BCC) is implementing a project titled “Improving Ocean Governance in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem” (BCLME III Project) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and with co-financing from the BCC Parties. The BCLME III project aims to realize a coordinated regional approach to the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation, enhancement and sustainable use of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem. This ultimately provides economic, environmental and social bene-fits as well as well-being in the region through domestication and implementation of the Benguela Current Convention and accompanying Strategic Action Programme. This project is coming to an end in March 2023, and UNDP is working with GEF and the BCC to look at the potential for accessing funding from GEF-8 for BCLME IV.

UNDP Namibia is developing a regional project titled "Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins (CUVKUN)" for implementation by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in close partnership with the Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM). The project document has been submitted to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for endorsement of funding. This project aims to strengthen the water security and resilient livelihoods of the populations in the adjacent Kunene and Cuvelai river basins through improved transboundary and conjunctive water resources management in the context of climate change.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist - Environment, the UNV will carry out the following primary responsibilities:

1. Daily oversight of the BCLME III project and the CUVKUN project a. Monitoring project delivery against targets; b. Working with the Programme Specialist, the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) and the Project Management Unit (PMU) to identify and solve delivery bottlenecks; c. Review project reports and upload project documentation to relevant platforms

2. Assisting with the development of the BCLME IV project a. Assist with review of the Project Identification Form (PIF); b. Assist with the development and implementation of the Project Preparation Grant Implementation Plan.

3. Provide administrative and logistical support to the SEMER portfolio, beyond the IW projects a. Including (but not limited to): Raising requisitions; preparing payments; developing terms of reference (TORs); organising meetings and events; drafting talking points; capturing minutes.

4. Support resource mobilisation and pipeline development a. Work closely with UNDP Programme Specialist, UNDP RTA and national partners to identify potential projects to be developed in in the area of International Waters, in line with national needs.

Accountability; Adaptability and Flexibility; Building Trust; Commitment and Motivation; Working in Teams

ocean governance and/or water resource management; • Experience in project design, implementation and oversight; • Experience in working with projects funded by GEF is desirable; • Experience in working with UNDP or other international development agencies is desirable; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e., studies internship) would be highly regarded.

Windhoek is the capital city of the Republic of Namibia. The city has a population of about 250 305 and is cosmopolitan in nature, consisting of people of all walks of life. It is relatively safe, very peaceful and has a good and easily accessible transport and communication network systems. There is ample access to various social amenities and the standard of living is very close to that of Europe. The climate is pleasant with a mild winter from May to August and a hot summer (high temperature but very low humidity) from September to April. Windhoek is classified as an A duty station. Support is generally provided to help find accommodation nearby the office.