Programme Manager

Volunteering Programme & Policy

Contract

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

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations, and activities in both developed and less developed countries.

Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional and liaison offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework, catalyzes action, and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk; working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parlamentarians, and the science and technology community.

This can only be attained in an all-of-society approach. Whilst Governments remain responsible for integrating disaster risk reduction in core social, economic and development planning, this also requires a change of behavior across all sectors and levels. Changing the way we think, live, and invest can only be done in close partnership and collaboration between Governments and all stakeholder groups. In particular, those most affected and vulnerable to disasters must be engaged in the design and implementation of inclusive policies, plans and standards. The notion of inclusiveness and collaborative action is also reflected in the ongoing UN Reforms, which include strong calls on new partnerships between the United Nations and stakeholders at large.

UNDRR seeks to implement a strategic and systematic approach to stakeholder engagement and partnerships, which is key given that the Sendai Framework significantly broadened the scope of disaster risk reduction, and thereby, UNDRR is tasked to reach out to relevant stakeholder groups beyond the traditional disaster risk reduction community.

Within delegated authority, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for the following tasks: • Lead the coordination, implementation and monitoring of programme activities around Climate Change (CC), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) processes, liaising with local, national and regional DRR and CC stakeholders in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, under the supervision of the Risk Knowledge Officer and in coordination with relevant UNDRR office staff. • Organize and prepare written outputs (e.g., proposals, work-plans, draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, among others) under the supervision of the Risk Knowledge Officer. • Overview the articulation and coherence between DRR and CC agendas at national, subnational, and local levels in the region. • Develop, implement and evaluate the assigned programmes/projects, besides monitoring and analysing programme/project development and implementation. This includes the review of relevant documents and reports, and liaising with relevant parties and ensure follow-up actions. • Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources. Lead research on the integration of biodiversity and ecosystems with disaster risk reduction, as well as climate finance, into operational regional and country risk analysis and briefings. • Support and facilitate different activities in the road to, and during COP30. • Engage with the RSTAG group to generate new risk knowledge around CC, CCA, nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation in the context of DRR in LAC. • Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., such as proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; prepares and delivers presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Coordinate activities related to proposal development, work-planning, budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). Support with related administrative and logistical work when needed.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute with articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/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: • Substantive progress in the technical and financial implementation of projects’ activities and related quality assurance of the programme as per the respective UNDRR Strategic Work Plan for LAC Region. • Substantive progress in the integration of the DRR and CCA agendas, by building bridges around activities related to nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation. • Substantive progress in achieving coherence between the DRR and CCA agendas in LAC. • National and regional partners and donors are well informed about relevant activities under-taken by UNDRR and its collaborating partners. • Substantive progress in the generation of evidence around DRR benefits and nature-based solutions and ecosystems-based adaptation. • Ensure that project activities and outcomes, including relevant events, effectively integrate a gender perspective and elements of participation, inclusion and equality. • Project reporting delivered as requested by UNDRR and donors. • As per the Sendai Framework recognition of the role of volunteers' organizations, report on initiatives involving volunteers and capacities building activities developed for this purpose.

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, financing for development, climate change and other related disaster risk reduction topics. Ability to identify issues, analyze and propose solutions for the resolution of issues/problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject mat-ter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly in-terprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and for-mat to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates ap-propriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, account-ability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes sol-idarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

General. Minimum 5 years' experience related to international organizations, cooperation, civil society organizations, academia or other relevant field.

-Familiarity with Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation plans. -Familiarity with climate financing. -Familiarity with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and global climate agendas. -Experience in monitoring and evaluation, capacity development and knowledge management. -Good analytical skills and familiarity with climate risk methodologies. -Experience preparing concept notes, background papers and proposals. -Excellent communication skills; facilitation and training experience. -Experience in working in a multicultural context is an asset. -Working experience with UN agencies at regional level in the Americas is an asset. -Familiarity with UNDRR’s CRM Initiative is an asset, as well as experience with nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based adaptation.

Computer skills: MS. Office (Word, excel, Power Point).

Panama City is classified 'A' Duty Station (Family) and has good infrastructure (health, hous-ing, banking, transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards.

In terms of security Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin Ameri-ca and it is rated as security level '1 minimal' whereas for Darién Province (border with Co-lombia) it is security level '2 low'. The city is a communication hub and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good options for travelling in general. UNDRR-LAC offices are located in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the city centre called City of Knowledge where most of the other UN Agencies are also located, as well as International Schools, NGOs and research centres, etc.

The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment), especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market, including in the area of the office in houses or in the city centre towers in modern apartments. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. There is a wide range of international schools, several of them offering IBcurriculum including some in the office area. In terms of recreational activities, Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neigh-bouring countries, the city offers a lot of malls and doing shopping and going to malls is a common week end activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities.

For the everyday life it is recommended to have Spanish knowledge as English is not widely spoken in the shops and services. The government offers the possibility for UN spouses to get work permits and provides UN staff members with tax exemption cards for shops and restau-rants. Just like other fast growing cities, the traffic is heavy at peak hours and considered an issue for people living in Panama City. The climate is hot and humid with a rainy season last-ing 8 months a year.

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Added 12 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org