Urban Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

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UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Sunday 30 Jan 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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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.

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 national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment. The position is located in the Climate Change Team of Asia and the Pacific Office.

The UN Volunteer, as part of the Climate Change team for Asia and the Pacific Office, will provide support to project management, technical and outreach activities for the successful execution of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) project ‘Ecosystem-based Adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region’ (‘Urban EbA Asia’). The aim of the Urban EbA Asia project is to reduce the vulnerability of poor urban communities in Asia-Pacific Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to climate change impacts using Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), with interventions in selected municipalities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Bhutan and Myanmar. Each of the four countries will benefit from the regional components that include institutional strengthening and capacity building of city management authorities in pilot cities to plan and implement urban EbA; and disseminating knowledge and raising public awareness on urban EbA in pilot cities.

UNV tasks include supporting awareness and outreach of the project activities, EbA solutions, and outputs and technical support to starting up and advancing country-level activities related to vulnerability mapping for identification of Urban EbA interventions, and development of livelihood plans. The UNV will also be responsible for designing and managing a system of internal communications to facilitate knowledge sharing between the four countries, and between other Urban EbA projects under UNEP’s portfolio (including in Nepal, Laos, and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Technical Expert (RTE), Urban EbA Asia project or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Urban Climate Change Adaptation Specialist will:

• Day to day follow up and support to project activities (in-country and regional level) under guidance of the Regional Technical Expert to ensure outputs are delivered according to annual work plan; • Draft communications materials and reports to help share project learnings that will be used to support understanding of EbA interventions in these countries and beyond;

• Based on input from countries and the Project RTE and Task Manager identify the most appropriate strategy for external and internal communications, based on budget, communications needs of countries and also taking into consideration communications strategies of other UNEP Urban EbA projects; • Design and prepare a simple newsletter that can be shared internally between project countries to further build momentum of Urban EbA, showcasing stories of its application in the Asia and the Pacific region and beyond (using as a basis information and case studies already collected); • Support countries to tailor country-level communications strategies that will connect with local and national media, NGOs, international institutions, research institutes and networks to facilitate the sharing of information of project results under all components; • Support knowledge exchange between countries and between other Urban EbA projects through design of webinars and knowledge exchange and networking events; • Support preparation of stories and other communications products showcasing project achievements externally; • Support RTE in preparing quality and timely project progress and financial reporting, including preparation of Project Steering Committee meeting(s). • Gender mainstreaming in all project activities to be incorporated using UNEP’s gender mainstreaming policies and guidelines.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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- Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application-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.

  1. 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: • Internal and external information sharing platforms are in place for knowledge exchange; • In-country activities are under implementation in each country as evidenced by progress and financial reports and country visits; • Municipality-level briefs developed for each of the 5 municipalities part of this project • Guidance notes developed for assisting all countries to execute in-country activities (as required); • Results of country-level activities e.g. VA mapping, identification of EbA interventions and resilient livelihood plans are shared between countries and beyond;
• Side-event and/or panel concepts designed and realized to showcase project results and create partnerships; • Local, national and regional platforms identified and updated to share results of interventions under this project and support provided for locally tailored awareness-raising strategies to support NTEs in their execution; • At least 4 webinars designed, and at least 2 organized, to guide countries in advancing and understanding EbA interventions; • At least 3 online stories developed to showcase project activities to external audiences. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, 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.

• 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; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviors 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 behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner. • Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of environmental management, climate change and sustainability issues; 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. • 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;

Sustainable natural resources management and climate change adaptation Mandatory

The climate of Thailand is tropical, with three distinct seasons, i.e. a hot season from March to mid-May, a rainy season caused by the southwest monsoon, which generally runs from mid-May to October, and a dry and relatively cool season from November to February, when the north-east monsoon, coming from the Asian continent, prevails. However, the relatively cool season is felt in the north and in inland areas, while on the coasts and in the south it's hot even in winter.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unv.org