Project Support Officer: Insurance and Climate Adaptation

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

Introduction: Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme
Pacific Island countries are highly vulnerable to natural hazards like cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and droughts. Such events cause economic losses running into millions of dollars. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of naturally induced disasters, economic losses worsen. With limited insurance protection options in the region, many Pacific Islanders affected by disasters are left with nothing or are dependent on government assistance. These payments can take weeks, pushing vulnerable populations into poverty and economic hardship.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), through a joint programme with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), and in close collaboration with key stakeholders from the government, public, private sector and other development partners, aims to address the challenge through the workstreams envisaged in the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP). The Programme is aligned to the United Nations Pacific Strategy, UNCDF global strategies and the respective country national development plans. The Programme will specifically target women, youth and MSME segments to work across agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors.

The overall program objective is to improve the financial preparedness of “Pacific households, communities, small businesses, organisations and governments towards climate change and natural hazards” through a combination of stakeholder engagement, co-creation of solutions, awareness and capacity building, innovative financing options and digital linkages – with a robust interface to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Programme Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Project Support Officer- Insurance and Climate Adaptation will:

• Develop climate and disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI) outreach programme schedule and coordinate activities within the PICAP partner organizations to conduct as per plan. • Support PICAP team during primary and secondary research leading to development of CDRFI products focusing on specific livelihood sectors like agriculture, fisheries, tourism and for segments such as women, MSME, migrants. Activities will include conducing field research as per programme research plan, collate the survey data and provide the clean data to the PICAP Research Lead. • Support PICAP programme partners during project implementation by providing logistical support, conduct virtual training workshops in specific areas, all aimed at assisting partners in meeting project objectives and goals. Activities will include outreach campaigns, financial and insurance literacy workshops, and community awareness. • Conduct pre and post workshop, training surveys, and support PICAP team in monitoring and evaluation of partner projects, as required. • Support data capture, use of the iOnboard platform within partners of PICAP and ensure regular use of the digital platform to facilitate digital transformations in the partner organizations • Provide support to PICAP team in organizing in-country events, in particular Fiji and Vanuatu and PSIDS, to disseminate knowledge and results of research, including venue and support services identification, lists invitees and invitation process. • Support the project lead within PICAP partner organizations with any other task that contributes to the CDRFI projects carried out as part of the grant and/or technical support with UNCDF.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

13. Results/expected outputs

• Robust relationships with identified PICAP partners and support to their CDRFI projects
• Increased visibility and recognition by UNCDF’s partners for its expertise and capacity to deliver development outcomes for improved financial preparedness for climate change and disaster risks; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national partners or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNCDF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNCDF 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 UNCDF 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 UNCDFs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Information Technology

Fiji is a democratic republic. There are three levels of government in Fiji: national, provincial, and local. Fiji has a total land area of 18,272 square kilometres, with 332 islands (of which only a third are inhabited). The country has an exclusive economic zone covering 1.3 million square kilometres in the Pacific Ocean. Mountains and tropical forests cover the islands. Most of the population lives in towns and cities, with more than half living along the coasts. It has a pleasant climate with maximum temperatures rarely exceeding 26-31 degrees Celsius (78-87 degrees Fahrenheit). Fiji stays lush and green during the rainy season in December, with intermittent downpours. Since English is the official language of Fiji, almost everyone speaks it. The Fijian language, however, is preserved and widely spoken in a number of dialects.