Project Support, Administration and Research Assistant

Volunteering Communications & PR Logistics & Procurement IT & Telecom

Overview

Provide administrative support and research assistance for UNEP projects.

You have:

• Provide local administrative and logistical support for organizing tasks and preparing documentation for CSRO activities.
• Assist with the development of materials such as UNEP PowerPoint presentations and briefing notes.
• Contribute to the development of information on the Small Island States of the Caribbean region.
• Collaborate with the UNEP/CSRO team to analyze research and results.
• Demonstrated interest in climate change, biodiversity, and pollution management initiatives.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or cultural experience.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

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 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.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region, and its activities are integrated into the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy, (MTS) (2022-2025) and Programme of Work (2024-2025), approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The Strategy defines the 3 strategic pillars and actions of UNEP’s work – climate-, biodiversity- and pollution actions.

UNEP’s Caribbean Sub-Regional Office (CSRO) based in Kingston, Jamaica, is the LAC Office’s liaison to governments and stakeholders in the English-speaking Caribbean. UNEP also hosts secretariats of the multilateral environment agreements. One such is the Cartagena Convention and its Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) established by UNEP in 1981 as part of its global Regional Seas Programme. It is an agreed programme of twenty-six (26) member states that border the wider Caribbean Sea and coordinated by the Cartagena Convention Secretariat based in Kingston, Jamaica. Countries are also signatory to the Cartagena Convention’s 3 Protocols – Oils Spills Prevention, Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW), and Land-based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS) – and benefit from specialist technical support provided by 4 Regional Activity Centres located in Curacao, Guadeloupe, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago. The Secretariat delivers project actions to its wider Caribbean member states.

This assignment is part of UNV’s disability inclusion strategy. UNV seeks to 1) provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to serve as UN Volunteers 2) enable UN partners to expand diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in their workforce worldwide 3) build a talent pipeline of qualified professionals with disabilities who can contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national and global levels, with focus on national capacity.

Reasonable Accommodation

The UN system is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and commits to taking appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to access employment opportunities and benefit equally from employment related opportunities by providing reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may differ depending on the disability and individual requirements. Reasonable accommodation means “necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms “(Article 2, UN CRPD).

Accessibility

Accessibility is defined as the “identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to facilitating access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities”.(Article 9, UN CRPD)

Under the direct supervision of UNEP, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

(1) Provide local administrative and logistical support for organizing tasks and/or preparing documentation for CSRO activities, including but not limited to e.g. the Zero Waste Project managed by the Regional Project Coordinator; (2) Assist with the development of materials such as UNEP PowerPoint presentations, briefing notes, and/or summary reports for project meetings, workshops, and training; Support the organization and scheduling of project meetings, webinars and/or workshops. (3) Contribute to the development of content for virtual &/or in-person workshop materials, and/or create presentations and other innovative communication products. (4) Research and assist with the development of information on the Small Island States (SIDS) of the Caribbean region, including maintenance and/or updating of the UNEP project database for the Caribbean, and/or compiling information on Caribbean SIDS vulnerabilities, activities and/or integrated responses to the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. (5) Collaborate with the UNEP/CSRO team to analyze research and results into easily usable formats with concise summaries developed for different audiences (social media, graphic designs, etc.). (6) As required, additional tasks as may be assigned by the hiring manager. As required, additional tasks as may be assigned by the hiring manager.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Communication • Knowledge sharing • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Self-management

/or demonstrated interest in:

• Climate change ,biodiversity and pollution including waste management initiatives of relevance to Small-Island Developing States for use in discussions in workshops or other multi-stakeholder settings and/or collaborations. • The work of UNEP and the environment, the UN system, and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development. • Communicating effectively with people from different backgrounds and with different abilities. • Report writing, preparation of materials and other social media communications products. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production, formatting and editing; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, graphics applications, SharePoint file management), email, and internet and online research techniques. • Familiarity with database management; and use of office technology equipment;

The incumbent will be based at the Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, in Kingston, Jamaica. Kingston is designated a Hardship Category “A” duty station. No special precautions or conditions apply to staff members locating to this duty station.

Jamaica is a Caribbean country with good living conditions, with good water and electricity supply. Housing conditions are of varying quality depending on the area. Travelers to Jamaica will receive a security briefing upon arrival to note areas to avoid and are advised to take normal security precautions, as would be required in large cities and urban areas.

Jamaica has a rich and diverse culture. The official language is English; however, one is most likely to hear the local dialect, Patois, spoken widely. There are international franchises of real estate companies, as well as local and recognized Jamaican companies that can assist expatriates to find suitable accommodation. Members of the international community resident in Jamaica can also be good sources of reference for housing and other services. Jamaica has over 16 public and six private hospitals located around the island.

Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island and fronts a natural harbour. Kingston has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet-and-dry climate, that borders on a hot-semi arid climate, characterised by a wet season from May to November, which coincides with the hurricane season, and a dry season from December to April. During the dry season, there is less rainfall, however, cold and stationary fronts from North America dominate at this time, and often bring cooler temperatures and rain showers, especially in March. Kingston is influenced by southeasterly sea breezes. The city’s dense urban development can negate this effect at certain times of the year. In the 21st century, Kingston has experienced temperatures as high as 38.8 °C (102 °F) and as low as 13.4 °C (56 °F). The city also offers excellent food and dining options from casual dining experiences to fine restaurants.

UN agencies are based at the UN Common Premises in downtown Kingston along the Harbour waterfront, and elsewhere in uptown locations. The international UN volunteer will be working from the downtown UN Common Premises location.

Kingston plays a central role in Jamaica's economy. A majority of economic activity takes place within Kingston, which hosts the seat of national Government – the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary - and most government ministries. Kingston has high population density (662,426), which means that a majority of monetary transactions occur in Kingston - stimulating much of Jamaica's local economy. Jamaica has a well-established banking system and all major credit cards are accepted as a means of payment for commercial transactions.

The city is also home to the highest number of schools, hospitals and universities anywhere in Jamaica. There are several good schools in Jamaica at all levels and over 50 tertiary institutions, which are either publicly or privately owned.

Kingston is also the island's main transportation hub and its largest seaport. Public transportation as well as public and private taxi-cab services and Ubers are readily available and easily accessible at generally low fares.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

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Potential interview questions

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