General
Description of assignment title
Programme Specialist – Climate and Environment
Assignment country
Jamaica
Expected start date
13/10/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNDP
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Kingston
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
Context
Climate change and ecological change pose significant threats to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including those in the Caribbean region, where the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters, decline of corals and coastal ecosystems, and water and energy insecurity converge to jeopardize the sustainability of development pathways. This is exacerbated by inadequate resources and technical capacities locally to advance innovative climate change strategies and solutions. UNDP is today the UN’s largest implementer of grant assistance for climate change and the environment globally, with over USD 4 billion of grant projects to support local capacity development and scale up impact towards combating climate change and ecosystem fragility. In Jamaica, Bahamas and neighbouring countries covered by the UNDP Multi‑Country Office (MCO), UNDP has a portfolio of over USD120 million today to advance the green transition. Projects focus on strengthening government capacity, leveraging private and public financial resources, mainstreaming climate change, biodiversity, and resource sustainability measures into development investments, and empowering local communities for impact. Strengthening resilience is central to UNDP’s local mission, enhancing the capacity of institutions and communities to proactively prevent and mitigate impacts, and effectively advance a green transition. The UN Volunteer (UNV) – Programme Specialist for Climate Change and Environment plays a vital role as one of 30 development professionals at the UNDP Multi‑Country Office (MCO). Alongside fellow team mates in the Programme and Policy Support Team at the UNDP Multi‑Country Office (MCO), the incumbent will be instrumental in developing new projects on climate change, biodiversity and other environmental topics, and in supporting the implementation of ongoing initiatives on these issues directed at (1) strengthening national capacities to take action on climate change, biodiversity and environmental sustainability, (2) supporting community led action through UNDP cooperation with CSOs and local government and (3) piloting new green technology and sustainable finance instruments to strengthen resilience and embrace the development opportunities from the green transition. Through these local projects, the incumbent will support UNDP’s goal of fostering the SIDS resilience agenda in the Caribbean.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of UNDP’s lead Programme Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: -Programme Development and Implementation · Support design of new 3 new projects currently under formulation on climate change adaptation, ecosystems and biodiversity, and other environmental themes valued at USD$100 million across the five target countries and territories. · Support the execution of 2 ongoing climate change, biodiversity, and other environmental projects across the five target countries and territories, ensuring timely implementation of project activities in line with UNDP Multi‑Country Office (MCO) and project work plans. · In concert with and in support of fellow team members, help liaise with relevant government ministries, NGOs, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and alignment of priorities. -Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building · Support the organization and facilitation of stakeholder consultations, community meetings, and awareness-raising events. · Coordinate and provide technical support for the delivery of capacity strengthening sessions on climate and/or environment-related activities. · Foster partnerships with institutions and experts to enhance knowledge transfer and sustainability. -Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting · Support monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities to track progress, outputs, and outcomes under above above-noted projects. · Collect, analyze, and report data under the above-noted projects to feed into overarching UNDP Multi‑Country Office (MCO) programme indicators, ensuring timely submission of project progress reports and updates. · Identify challenges, risks, and lessons learned, and propose adaptive strategies to improve project effectiveness. -Technical and Administrative Support · Provide technical input to above above-noted projects on climate and/or environment-related matters. · Support inputs needed for project procurement and administrative tasks such as development of Terms of Reference, etc. · Contribute to the preparation of communication materials, case studies, and knowledge products related to projects being supported
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Donor priorities
.
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply: – Candidates must be Korean nationals. – Candidates must be 27 years of age at the time of application. – Candidates who have already served as UN Volunteer Specialist funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University and UN Youth Volunteers are eligible). – Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the End of Contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts. – 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. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 August 2025 +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master’s degree in Climate Change, Biodiversity, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development or related field is required.
Competencies and values
Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Communication Creativity Empowering Others Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Leadership Managing Performance Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams
Skills and experience
Experience in Project/programme development/coordination/support/management. Climate Change, Biodiversity, Environment, or similar area Capacity Development of Government and Community stakeholders is an asset Experience in the use of computers and office software packages. Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience in an international setting (i.e., studies, volunteer work, internship) is an asset.
Area(s) of expertise
Development programmes, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Korean UN Volunteers (UNVs) deployed to Jamaica are required to obtain the appropriate residency status to lawfully carry out their assignments in the country. Koreans can enter Jamaica without a visa for tourism or cultural purposes for up to 90 days. This visa-free entry applies to holders of ordinary, diplomatic, or official passports. The 90-day period starts upon arrival in Jamaica. To support smooth entrance of the UNV to Jamaica, the UN agency issues signed/stamped Letter of Support with their travel details, name, passport number, and position title indicating they are travelling under UN Volunteer Contract. Once in Jamaica, UN Volunteers are typically issued a Diplomatic Note by the UN agency to apply for extension of stay. To initiate the process, the UNV must prepare key documentation, including a valid passport and completed visa application form. The host UN agency also provides a support letter confirming the UNV’s role and assignment duration, which is endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) and submitted to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). Once the necessary approvals are obtained, PICA issues a letter authorizing the UNV’s residency and exemption from the work permit requirement. The UN Volunteer will be based at UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), in Kingston, Jamaica. Kingston is designated a Hardship Category “A” duty station. No special precautions or conditions apply to staff members locating to this duty station. Jamaica is a Caribbean country with good living conditions. There are few problems of water and electricity supply. Housing conditions are of varying quality de-pending on the area. Jamaica has over 16 public and six private hospitals located around the island. Jamaica offers excellent food and dining options from casual dining experiences to fine restaurants. Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island facing a natural harbour. This is where UN agencies are based and where the UN volunteer will be working from. Prepare yourself for the high level of humidity, which can be tiring if you’re not used to it. The country is also located in the Atlantic hurricane belt, meaning that Jamaica is at risk of hurricanes from June to November every year, with the peak season from August to October. Kingston is also the island’s main transportation hub and its largest seaport. Public transportation as well as private taxis are readily available and easily accessible at generally, low fares. One of the biggest problems in Jamaican society is the high crime rate and large-scale corruption throughout society. Drug trafficking, as well as the gang violence that accompanies it, is especially a cause for concern. Acts of violence are not limited to the poor parts of town or gang territory, but they could occur anywhere and are part of normal life in some areas, with home burglaries being especially common, even in affluent neighborhoods and gated communities. It is important to take certain precautions, like limiting the number of valuables, you carry to a minimum, being alert when walking at night or in certain neighborhoods, and of course, simply using your common sensibilities for living in an international city. Additionally, it is important to remember that although the use of marijuana is widespread and synonymous with Jamaican culture in the minds of many foreigners, it is still not fully legal in the country. Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), Expertise differential, Entry / Exit lump sums, among others, are available at: https://app.unv.org/cal-culator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.
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.
