Programme Officer

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.

A) the partners/organizations, besides the host agency, with which the UN Volunteer will be dealing/interacting with during the performance of the tasks under the assignment and the role of these partners in the development process/issue tackled by the project, and/or B) the brief description of the organization (host agency) in which the UN Volunteer will be working (number of units/divisions, etc) and description and role of the unit/department where the UN Volunteer will be placed)

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.

UNEP’s Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services, and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance.

UNEP works with governments, intergovernmental organizations, major groups and stakeholders, UN organizations, and partners to catalyze actions to address issues related triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and chemical and waste pollution.

In line with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy 2022-25 and the Programme of Work 2022-2023, the UN Volunteer is to support activities under the intergovernmental affairs and UN coordination Unit and contribute to major regional and global events, including preparations of the 5th Session of UNEP’s Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific (5th AP Forum) scheduled in last quarter 2023and the 6th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), Nairobi, 26 February-1 March 2024 and the regional preparations of other intergovernmental meetings including the Annual Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development;. Assignment will include preparation of the country and bilateral briefs; regular compilation of political and environment developments in the region; provide inputs to regular intergovernmental and UN system meetings; update the list of calendar events; preparation of draft background documents for the 5th AP Forum; and liaise with member states and other stakeholders to finalize the agenda and list of participants for the 5th AP Forum, provide back stopping support to UNCT Focal Points and UNEP’s engagement in the regional UN system in and preparation of the draft speeches and presentations for Senior Managers as needed on intergovernmental and UN affairs.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Environmental Officer and the overall supervision of the Regional Director of Asia and the Pacific Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Preparation-updating of the country and bilateral briefs and contribute to draft speeches and presentations for the regional office as needed. • Regular analyses of political and policy developments and contribute to preparation of the monthly environmental updates for the region.
• Support organization of the 5th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific (5th AP Forum), including supporting the organization of the Asia Pacific CSO Forum, and Asia Pacific Youth Forum.
• Support the preparation of the 5th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific (5th AP Forum), including draft agenda, draft background documents, list of invitation and participation, and draft outcome documents, among others. • Support the regional participation at the 6th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), including participation of member states and major groups and stakeholders, and contribution to the UNEA-6. • Coordinate regional inputs to Quarterly Reporting of the Executive Office, both political, policy and thematic. • Monitoring on implementation of UNEA resolutions in Asia and the Pacific and contribute to preparation of the background paper for the 5th AP Forum and to HQ monitoring and reporting process. • Tracking the collaboration with key intergovernmental organizations in the region, including projects, partnership, participation, etc. • Provide back stopping support to UNCT Focal Points and UNEP’s engagement in the regional UN system in consultation with the UNEP Regional Development Coordinator. • Support UNEP’s engagement in annual Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental meetings as required in consultation with the UNEP Regional Development Coordinator.; • Compilation of list of key events and its outcome in the region and keep in updated in the digital repository.

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 IVD) • 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 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 Output:

• Prepare draft agenda, list of invitee and participants, draft background documents, and draft outcome documents and manage content of the website for the 5th AP Forum. • Prepare/update country and bilateral briefs and manage the updated files in the digital repository.
• Maintain the list of key events and the list of focal points as well as the major groups and stakeholders and partners in the digital repository.
• Compile the best practices on south-south and triangular cooperation for the Asia Pacific office. • Regional participation at the 6th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), including draft agenda, list of participants, list of side events, bilateral briefs, and others briefs to support senior managers as needed.
• Quarterly progress on monitoring on implementation of UNEA resolutions in Asia and the Pacific in line with HQ reporting on resolutions. • Coordinate inputs on political and policy developments and thematic issues for ED’s quarterly reporting to CPR. • Tracking collaboration with intergovernmental organizations in the region (ASEAN, ICIMIOD, SACEP, SPREP, GMS, ESCAP). • Provide support UNCT Focal Points including in terms of inputs into Common Country Assessment and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and UNCT reporting.

• 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.

development Studies, International Affairs, Political Science, Social Science, Public Administration or other related fields. • Excellent communication skills. • Experience with web-based platforms and software for communication, information sharing and networking and use of social media. • At least 15 years working experience in the environmental field is required and a particular interest to work in Asia-Pacific region performing research and policy analysis in environmental issues is essential. • Fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset. Knowledge of a language from the Asian language is an asset.

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. The climate is tropical, with the monsoon season running from May/June through October/November. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and it is also the most populated city in the country. It is located in the Chao Phraya River delta in the central part of the country. Bangkok has an estimated population of 8.75 million as of 2017 (13% of Thailand’s total population), based on data from the 2010 census. Over the past decades, Bangkok has grown rapidly with little urban planning or regulation. This has led to traffic congestion and air pollution, and there is frequent flooding of streets during the rainy season in the City’s low-lying areas. The cost of living in Thailand is relatively low, as compared to many other capitals in Southeast Asia. Housing is widely available in various sizes and at various price points. Private healthcare in Thailand is of excellent standard, and there are numerous top hospitals in Bangkok, which fall far below countries like the US in terms of price. There are numerous high-quality international schools available in Bangkok, with English as the language of instruction. Bangkok has different public transportation options, including the BTS Skytrain and MRT Underground, metered taxis, mobile-based ride-hailing services (Grab, All Thai Taxi, etc.), tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, buses and boats.