Programme Officer

Volunteering Programme & Policy Communications & PR Environment

Overview

Support UNEP activities related to intergovernmental affairs and coordination efforts.

You have:

• Expertise in environmental policy analysis, research, and sustainable development practices 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.
• Demonstrated experience in regional cooperation, particularly in Asia-Pacific frameworks such as ASEAN, ICIMIOD, ESCAP, etc.
• Proven project management experience, including planning, execution, and evaluation of large-scale intergovernmental events or forums.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience with web-based platforms and software for communication, information sharing and networking and use of social media.
• Experience working within the United Nations system, particularly with UNEP, or other international organizations.

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.

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 2022-2025, 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 6th Session of UNEP’s Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific (6th AP Forum) scheduled in the third quarter of 2025, the 7th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), in Nairobi in 2026 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 including ASEAN-UN Cooperation; provide inputs to regular intergovernmental and UN system meetings; update the list of calendar events; preparation of draft background documents for the 6th AP Forum; and liaise with member states and other stakeholders to finalize the agenda and list of participants for the 6th 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 6th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific (6th AP Forum), including supporting the organization of the Asia Pacific CSO Forum, and Asia Pacific Youth Forum.
• Support the preparation of the 6th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific (6th AP Forum), including draft agenda, draft background documents, list of invitation and participation, and draft outcome documents, among others. • Support the preparation and regional participation at the 7th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), including participation of member states and major groups and stakeholders, and contribution to the UNEA-7. • 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 6th 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.

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 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:

• Prepare draft agenda, list of invitee and participants, draft background documents, and draft outcome documents and manage content of the website for the 6th AP Forum. • Prepare/update country and bilateral briefs and manage the updated files in the digital repository.
• Compile the best practices on south-south and triangular cooperation for the Asia Pacific office. • Regional participation at the 7th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), 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. • Prepare draft speeches and presentations for the regional office’s global and regional meetings. • Prepare key highlights of national statements delivered during the global meetings (High-Level Political Forum, The Summit of the Future, UN Biodiversity Conference, UN Climate Change Conference). • Provide support in the 12th Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (12th APFSD) including APFSD policy brief and organization of roundtable. • Provide support in other intergovernmental meetings including organization of UNEP events and strengthening UNEP’s engagement on environmental issues in consultation with the UNEP Regional Development Coordinator.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with greed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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.

environmental field with significant exposure to the Asia-Pacific region is required. • Excellent communication skills. • Experience with web-based platforms and software for communication, information sharing and networking and use of social media. • Experience working within the United Nations system, particularly with UNEP, or other international organizations. • Demonstrated experience in regional cooperation, particularly in Asia-Pacific frameworks such as ASEAN, ICIMIOD, ESCAP, etc. • Proven project management experience, including planning, execution, and evaluation of large-scale intergovernmental events or forums. • Expertise in environmental policy analysis, research, and sustainable development practices is essential. • Strong skills in stakeholder engagement and management across governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and youth groups. • 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.

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Potential interview questions

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