General
Description of assignment title
Development Coordination Officer – Environment and Climate Change
Assignment country
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Expected start date
23/12/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNRCO
Type
Onsite
Duration
24 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Vientiane
Details
Mission and objectives
The ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires bold changes across the United Nations. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is imperative for a safe and secure future of prosperity, opportunity, and human rights for all. SDGs are universal, interlinked, and indivisible and demand that the UN System reinvents itself to better serve the Member States and people. The Resolution on the UN Development System Reform agreed by all 193 countries on 31 May 2018 (A/RES/72/279) provides the mandates required for the UN Secretary-General (SG) and the UN System and its Agencies, Funds and Programmes (AFPs) to take forward their collective responsibilities to make the UN fit for purpose to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Resolution calls for a new generation of coherent and more integrated UNCTs to deliver shared and impactful policy advice, programmatic and operational support to sustainable development at the country level. In line with the UN Development System Reform, this new generation of UNCTs is to rely on the repositioned and strengthened UN Resident Coordinator System, that ensures greater cooperation and collaboration across the resident and non-resident AFPs, as well as enhances joint/cross-cutting strategic planning, programme implementation, communications, and business operations, which are more accessible and more attuned to the needs on the ground. UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices across the world act as the secretariat to the UN Resident Coordinators and UNCTs. Drawing on the expertise and experience of the entire UN System and its AFPs, UN RCOs provide organizational, advisory, and management support and promotes information exchange, cooperation, and collaboration.
Context
The Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 (Cooperation Framework) is the overarching strategy bringing together the work of the 25 different UN agencies, fund, and programmes in the UN Country Team (UNCT) to support national development priorities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Cooperation Framework includes four strategic priorities: People’s Wellbeing; Inclusive Prosperity; Governance and Rule of Law; and Environment, Climate Change, and Resilience. This position will support work under the fourth strategic priority, Environment, Climate Change, and Resilience, which is coordinated through a dedicated Results Group co-chaired by FAO and UN-Habitat. The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) serves as the secretariat to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT), providing organisational, advisory and management support, and facilitating the UN System’s joint strategic planning. The RCO draws on the expertise and experience of the entire UN family, promoting and supporting information exchange, cooperation and collaboration amongst UN agencies, and facilitating joint initiatives, for instance on the localisation of the SDGs. Embedded in the RCO, the UN Volunteer “Development Coordination Officer – Environment and Climate Change” is expected to support the UNRC and UNCT on environmental issues, in particular to support the work of the UNCT Results Group 4. As a member of the UN family in Lao PDR, the UN Volunteer is expected to make contributions to the implementation of the Cooperation Framework 2022-2026, advancing the UN development system reform agenda, enhancing synergies and impacts of the UN agencies’ support to Lao PDR in addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The UN Volunteer will work in partnership with UN colleagues to ensure successful programme coordination and implementation to achieve the UNSDCF results.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Economist, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Provide support to the Resident Coordinator, Result Group Co-Chairs, and RCO on engagements related to climate change and environmental protection • Act as technical focal point providing inputs to processes related to climate change and environmental protection; • Support the RCO and Result Group Co-Chairs annual reporting and work planning processes relating to climate change and environmental issues; • Support the UNRC and Result Group to further develop and maintain close strategic relationships with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, amongst others; • Support the UNRC and Result Group in maintaining effective strategic working relationships with other external stakeholders, in particular development partners, on climate change and environmental issues. 2. Provide support to the UNRC and UN country team’s activities under the UN Results Group on Environment, Climate Change and Resilience, and its outputs on Green Growth, on Resilience and on Natural Resource Management: • Actively participate in the activities of the RG on Environment, Climate Change and Resilience and of other RGs and Thematic Groups, as necessary, to support and advise on the integration of climate change and environmental considerations into UN programmes and projects; • Provide inputs to the inter-agency work of the UN in Lao PDR and promote the integration of climate change and environmental considerations in joint-UN planning and programming; • Maintain close relationship and support FAO and UN-Habitat as agencies leading UNCT coordination on environmental issues in Lao PDR.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 – 15 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
2 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Laotian, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in International Development, International Relations, Environmental Science, Environmental Economics, Political Sciences, Social Science, or related fields.
Competencies and values
• Adaptability and flexibility • Communication • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Working in Teams
Skills and experience
Project or programme management in areas related climate change, biodiversity or pollution at national or international level. Experience in monitoring and evaluation as well as in a developing country would be an asset. Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
Area(s) of expertise
Agriculture, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Living conditions in Vientiane Capital are relatively good and comfortable but residents must be able to adapt to the tropical climate, defined wet season and sometimes underdeveloped infrastructure, especially health facilities. The UN Clinic provides health services for all staff and dependents but for some specialised treatments it is necessary to seek health care outside Lao PDR. Most commodities may be purchased in Vientiane or just across the border in Thailand. Bag snatching (relatively rare incidents) and traffic accidents are the main hazards in Vientiane Capital. In rural areas, infrastructure, facilities and access to general commodities are in poorer conditions.
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
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
