General
Description of assignment title: Associate Programme Officer – Environment and Natural Resource Management
Assignment country: Fiji
Expected start date: 01/08/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action
Volunteer category: International UN Youth Volunteer
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNDP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Suva
Details
Mission and objectives
The UN Development Programme is the lead UN agency fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in more than 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
In the Pacific, UNDP provides regional and country support to ten countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) and regional support to five countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tokelau), together with a total population of 2.4 million.
UNDP is guided by a Sub-regional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories 2018-2022, which in turn contributes to the achievement of an overarching UN system-wide Pacific Strategy. The Programme is shaped to assist countries to advance the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda tailored to each country’s priorities, through focus on data, policy prioritization, participatory planning, and budgeting and monitoring – and with accelerated action to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDP seeks to target the most vulnerable i.e. people experiencing hardship, the marginalized living in remote rural areas, those who are vulnerable to climate and disaster risks, as well as women and youth excluded from socio-political and economic participation. UNDP adheres to an inclusive, pro-poor and human rights-based approaches that leverage cross-practice, multi-disciplinary expertise of UNDP.
Context
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader of the Resilience and Climate Change Team, the UNV Youth Associate Programme Officer – Environment and Natural Resource Management, is responsible to support management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned in close partnership with the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Programme teams. The Associate Programme officer analyzes political, social, and economic trends and leads formulation, management, and monitoring of programme activities within his/her portfolio, provides policy advice services. In addition, the Associate Programme officer will also act as UNDP focal point on communication and partnership building and will work closely with Communication Analyst within the Pacific Office in Fiji.
The Associate Programme Officer coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Associate Programme Officer works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Bangkok Regional Hub and HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.
Task description
Under the direct supervision and mentoring of the Resilience and Climate Change Team Leader and in support to Resilience and Climate Change Programme Analysts the UN Volunteer (associate programme officer) will undertake the following tasks:
· Contribute to implementation of environmental and climate change programme strate-gies.
· Support effective management and implementation of the MCO Resilience and Cli-mate Change programme.
· Assist in the creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business De-velopment Team;
· Support the provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management;
· Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of Spain and therefore specific criteria apply:
- Candidates must be Spanish nationals.
- Candidates must be between 18 and 26 years of age at the time of application.
- Candidates who already served on a UN Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of Spain are not eligible.
- Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by the UN Host Entity in May.
Application deadline: 16 April 2023
+++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Donor priorities: .
Requirements
Required experience
0 years of experience in and/or demonstrated experience in resilience, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Environmental Protection.
Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
Area(s) of expertise: Community development, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences
Driving license: –
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Climate Change, Environment Protection, Political Science and Development Studies.
Competencies and values
☒ Accountability
☒ Adaptability and Flexibility
☒ Commitment and Motivation
☒ Creativity
☒ Ethics and Values
☒ Managing Performance
☒ Planning and Organizing
☒ Professionalism
☒ Respect for Diversity
☒ Self-Management
☒ Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Fiji, one of the larger countries of the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of human development and is one of the most developed economics in the region. After nearly a century as British colony, Fiji became independent in 1970. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 900,000, is growing slowly due to a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar production and tourism, but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector of employment. The unit of currency is Fiji Dollar.
Fiji comprises of approximately 330 islands, approximately third of which are inhabited. Fiji covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital city is Suva and is located on the South Eastern side of the main island of Viti Levu.
Fiji’s population is made up of a mixture of native Melanesian and Polynesian islanders, and a blend of Indian, European, Chinese, Rotuman and Rabi islanders making it a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, sights, sounds and exotic island delicacies. English is spoken widely on the Island and it is the common language of communication although the native indigenous Fijian language is spoken by many as is the Hindi language.
Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous. Fiji enjoys year round tropical temperatures of between 25-29 degrees with generally high humidity, making it a perfect location for sun-lovers.
Suva, the capital of Fiji, has a population of approximately 141,000, and it is a multiracial and multicultural city. Suva is the largest city in the whole of the region, but remains easy-going and friendly. It has reasonably modern facilities including two large hospitals, sporting facilities, restaurants and supermarkets. Modest accommodation is readily available in Suva, but availability of small apartments is limited; an open mind and flexibility come in handy when looking for housing in Suva. The public transport is quite good: local busses run every day of the week, and taxis are affordable. Public transport is available also for exploring and visiting other parts of the country, which provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and tropical nature.
Fiji along with many other Pacific islands is known for being one of the friendliest nations in the world. It is a unique country and UNDP is a unique human rights operation. It provides foran interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
