YELL Community Volunteer for S.E Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative

Contract

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

YELL is a joint programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), supported by Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM) to reimagine youth participation in climate and environmental action, in Malaysia. With a focus on moving from awareness to action, empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and networks to address sustainability issues, YELL has two objectives: (1) To address the knowledge and resource gaps among local youth from diverse background by localising climate narratives through inclusion and emphasis on local and indigenous perspectives on nature and the environment, and (2) To strengthen the ecosystem of actors to support and hold the space for youth to engage as agents of change in environmental policy- and decision-making and in environmental actions. YELL’s objectives will be achieved through three programmatic pillars: the ‘Exploraction’ programme, the ‘Conservocation’ programme, and the YELL Network Resource Hub. YELL is expected to enable children and young people aged 7-30 years old to act on climate and environmental issues with structured entry points through the three programmatic pillars. In 2023, YELL is implementing a work placement pilot under one of its programmes - called Conservocation - that aims to encourage young people from different backgrounds an opportunity to embark on a viable green career, regardless of their educational level or background through a UN Community Volunteer exposure experience at a network partner organisation. The objectives of the work placement exposure are:

1. To provide a platform for young people to be exposed to and experience work in the environmental sector impacting their own community or of other communities, building an understanding of intersectionalities (human rights, social, economy) and the environment.
2. To build a network in the sector for future references and collaborations.
3. To widen young people’s perspectives about careers in sustainability and conservation, to help them assess their own interests and abilities.
4. To provide an opportunity for skills building that is relevant to the sector.

Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI-UKM)(https://www.ukm.my/seadpri/) Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI-UKM) comes under the administrative structure of the Institute of Environment and Development (LESTARI) at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. SEADPRI-UKM comprises a team of highly qualified people/academics with a singular goal: to create a bridge between the academic world with its vast body of research and (the decision makers and the private sector who deal directly with) the reality of disaster management and mitigation in this country, and the region. As a body that is committed to research on disasters, its prevention and mitigation, SEADPRI-UKM strives to deliver our mission goals, both regionally and internationally, through (a) Research; (b) Education & Training; (c) Workshop & Training Courses; and (d) Outreach & Networking activities. Our main core activities being research-based, our approach is holistic and integrated (science, technology, impact, vulnerability & governance). The ultimate objective is always to prevent or better manage the effects of hazards, be they Climatic Hazards, Geological Hazards or Technological Hazards.

The UN Community Volunteer will work full-time (8.30 am - 5.30 pm) for six months and will be based in their workstation at Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI), Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. . The flexibility of the UN Community Volunteer’s ability to work from home is subject to the supervisor’s agreement. The UN Community Volunteer is required to work physically at the station for at least 3 days per week.

The UN Community Volunteer is expected to work closely with and report to the assigned supervisor at SEADPRI-UKM, who will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the UN Community Volunteer.

YELL Coordinator will be responsible for supervising administrative, operational and contractual matters of the UN Community Volunteer, and will conduct joint progress evaluations with the host supervisor at SEADPRI-UKM.

The UN Community Volunteer is expected to use their own vehicles for project-related travels if necessary for which expenses will be borne by the project on a reimbursement basis.

The UN Community Volunteer is expected to:

● To support the delivery of SEADPRI-UKM programmes and activities (80%); and ● To support collection of grassroots and local content on environment and climate action that YELL can promote and advocate for through its platform, not limited to the YELL website (20%).

SEADPRI-UKM activities (80%) Under the day-to-day supervision of the host supervisor at SEADPRI-UKM, the UN Community Volunteer is expected to: ● To conduct data collection using an open-access platform for various features that are exposed to Geohazards (e.g. critical infrastructures). ● To conduct data collection from relevant stakeholders to perform exposure analysis study. ● To support planning of field missions related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Experiential Learning. ● To participate in all programmes conducted in SEADPRI-UKM by being a secretariat, rapporteur, facilitator and other role related. ● To support administration and communication-related work including communicating with all project partners/stakeholders; preparing letters for administrative purposes and other administrative work; arrange meeting schedule; maintain websites and social media; coordinator of all events related to the project; preparing report; prepare the manuscript; any other research work which is related. ● To assist & support organisation programs development and implementation. ● To assist in organisation monitoring and reporting work. ● To support on-going projects or operational tasks, as and when required. ● To support data and knowledge management work. ● To support in organising events, including event management and administrative and logistical support. ● Participate in relevant YELL fellowship activities with other UNVs of the Conservocation programme. ● Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the assigned supervisor. YELL activities (20%) With support from the YELL Coordinator or YELL designated personnel, the UN Community Volunteer is expected to produce at least one (1) type of content* for each YELL activity below, at a regularity of every 2 months: ● Document SEADPRI programmes, activities, and area of advocacy. ● Collect human interest stories from stakeholders or communities. ● Document UN Community Volunteer’s experience / journey i.e. self-reports.

*Note: The type of content produced for each YELL activity, not limited to the following formats: ● Written materials i.e. Write-ups, articles, blogs. ● Visual-audio materials i.e. videos, photos, podcasts, etc. ● Other creative expressions i.e. drawings, poems, etc.

Furthermore, UN Community 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.

Results/expected outputs

Following is the indicative scope of work and expected areas of support that the UN Community Volunteer is expected for the duration of their placement at SEADPRI-UKM. A work plan will be developed together with the UN Community Volunteer and the host supervisor of SEADPRI-UKM and YELL Coordinator, where relevant, at the start of the programme.

● Understand basic concept of DRR ● Successfully collected a diverse range of geohazard-exposed features across four to five local authority boundaries ● Developed proficiency in conducting basic geospatial analysis of exposure areas particularly focused on critical infrastructure assessment ● Successfully joined one (1) field mission ● Delivered at least one (1) report and one (1) SEADPRI Newsletter article ● Delivered at least one (1) draft manuscript for publication ● Acquiring a broad range of knowledge and practical experience in the fields of administration and research, while also fostering an appreciation for the noble values cultivated within the work environment in SEADPRI-UKM

● Accountability ● Adaptability and flexibility ● Ability to work in a diverse group ● Creativity ● Excellent oral skills, i.e. communication skills ● Excellent written skills, i.e. drafting and reporting skills ● Judgement and decision-making ● Planning and organising ● Proactive and willingness to learn ● Professionalism ● Self-management ● Agile & Transparent ● Committed to documenting and following workflow implemented

/ no minimum working experience required, however having experience in working with the communities / social projects is an asset.

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