General
Description of assignment title
Regional environmental data analyst
Assignment country
Panama
Expected start date
01/10/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
12. Responsible consumption and production
Volunteer category
International UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity
UNEP
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Panama City
Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Context
Support UNEP’s coherent and relevant contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and Common Country Analysis (CCA) processes in Latin America and Caribbean Office (LACO) Regional Management Project Result 1.2, critical investment area: Support to CCAs. These instruments are essential for aligning national priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are the base to identify critical issues and integrating environmental dimensions into development strategies. The candidate will strengthen the capacity of the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) to incorporate environmental considerations such as climate change, biodiversity, and natural resource management into national development priorities and UN cooperation frameworks.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of regional coordinator for Science-Policy, the UNV will play a key role in analyzing environmental challenges and opportunities across the region, facilitating interagency collaboration, and providing essential inputs to the Common Country Analysis (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs) development processes in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). a. Identification of relevant source of official data and information: the selected candidate will be responsible for identifying and mapping key sources of official and non-official data and other relevant information at both national and regional levels, as inputs for supporting environmental analysis in the Common Country Analysis (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs). This will involve consulting national databases, sectoral reports, global databases and other reference documents that provide insights into critical environmental variables. b. Collection and validation of essential (environmental) variables and related trends: the UNV will collect essential environmental variables, such as statistics, indicators and thematic maps of the most relevant issues of the national agenda (including, but not limited to, climate change, air quality, land use, biodiversity, pollution, finance). After validating the data to ensure accuracy and relevance, he/she will analyse this information to identify trends, patterns and key facts and messages which will be the base of Common Country Analysis (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs) narrative. c. Coordination and interaction with relevant UNEP colleagues to develop the narrative to be included in the environmental dimension of the Common Country Analysis (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs): the UNV will collaborate closely with UNEP’s environmental specialists from UNEP and sister agencies to develop a coherent narrative that integrates the findings from the environmental variables into the overall Common Country Analysis (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs) analysis. This will involve organizing meetings, participating in working sessions, gathering inputs from experts, and drafting key sections of the documents to address national environmental challenges.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
2 years of experience in principles of Sustainable Development, data analysis, environmental governance and policy, international conventions and regulations.
Area(s) of expertise
Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences
Driving license
–
Languages
Spanish, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Environmental sciences, international relations or related field.
Competencies and values
• Rendición de cuentas • Adaptabilidad y flexibilidad • Creatividad • Juicio y toma de decisiones • Planificación y organización • Profesionalidad • Autogestión
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Panama provides good living conditions, include excellent access for air travel, fair security situation, tropical climate, average cost of living, many accommodation options, secured access food, water, electricity, medical facilities, banking facilities and communications infrastructure. Panama is a unique country and the Latin America and the Caribbean is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an 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
