General
Description of assignment title
Sustainable Environmental Management Specialist
Assignment country
Kyrgyzstan
Expected start date
15/10/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
OHCHR
Type
Onsite
Duration
3 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Bishkek
Details
Mission and objectives
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the lead UN entity on human rights. In 1993, the General Assembly entrusted both the High Commissioner for Human Rights and OHCHR with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. Over the course of subsequent decades, with investment by Member States, OHCHR has developed unique competencies for the protection and advance of human rights; competencies that bridge the humanitarian, peace and development sectors. OHCHR provides technical expertise and capacity-development, to support the implementa-tion of international human rights standards on the ground. It assists governments, which bear primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, to fulfil their obligations, supports individuals to claim their rights and speaks out objectively on human rights viola-tions. OHCHR has built global credibility in being a principled advocate for international human rights standards. It represents the leading, authoritative voice on legally binding norms en-shrined in international human rights treaties including in situations of conflict and insecuri-ty. OHCHR is uniquely placed in working closely with Governments, the civil society, the UN family and other stakeholders to advance the human rights agenda. Our strength lies in our unique capability to monitor, critically analyse and report on human rights abuses/violations.
Context
This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment supports the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) in its efforts to strengthen sustainable environmental management through operationalizing its Green Office Policy and advancing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Established in 2008, ROCA promotes and protects human rights in Central Asia, strengthens national human rights systems, and engages with governments, civil society, NHRIs, and the UN. Under its 2024–2027 Regional Programme, ROCA began focused work on environmental rights as part of its broader priority on economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR), the SDGs, and General Assembly resolutions on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This work addresses environmental crises—such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss—and their impact on rights to life, health, housing, food, water, culture, and development, with special attention to groups at heightened risk. Aligned with the UN Sustainability Strategy (2020–2030), OHCHR’s Organizational Effectiveness Action Plan (OEAP) on Deepening Sustainable Environmental Management 2024–2027, and the Greening the Blue initiative, ROCA’s Green Office Policy promotes sustainability and well-being, aiming to reduce OHCHR’s environmental footprint across operations and programming. By taking more effective sustainability action now, OHCHR has the opportunity to influence broader, potentially more impactful UN Secretariat wide and business practices. Taking internal action to implement the highest possible sustainability standards will amplify OHCHR’s advocacy throughout the environmental policy space including with respect to efforts to improve sustainable environmental management systems within and outside the UN Secretariat. Through action at the regional level and active coordination with the SEM Group and OHCHR HQ, this assignment will contribute to: • Supporting the implementation and monitoring of sustainable environmental management through the Green Office Policy in the Regional Office and its country presences. • Promoting environmentally sustainable procurement, travel and facility management including energy, waste and water management practices and staff behavior. • Supporting coordination and reporting efforts under the UN-wide Greening the Blue initiative, engagements with government actors and civil society to promote environmental rights and build inclusive green initiatives. • Advancing OHCHR’s work on the human rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, including through enhancing capacity building and awareness raising, engagement, and coordination. • Contributing to analysis, reporting and outreach on environmental issues and their intersection with human rights. Relevant stakeholders include OHCHR headquarters (particularly the Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Service, the Environment and Climate Change Unit, and Program Support and Management Service), UNEP, WHO, Resident Coordinator Offices in Central Asia, national environmental bodies, and civil society actors promoting environmental justice. More information: • OHCHR Environment and Climate Change Work • Greening the Blue • OHCHR ROCA (Facebook)
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the OHCHR ROCA SEM Focal Point and relevant programmatic staff, the UN Volunteer will: • Support the implementation of OHCHR ROCA’s Green Office Policy across regional and country presences, including through coordination, awareness-raising, data collection, staff engagement, and practical programming and operational measures. • Contribute to monitoring and promoting the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment through research, reporting, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. • Support the monitoring and implementation of OHCHR’s OEAP on deepening sustainable environmental management 2024–2027 and its Environmental Management System (EMS) within ROCA. • Support the OHCHR SEM Group and its activities under the direction of its chair, co-chairs and support staff. • Support GHG data collection and reporting for OHCHR ROCA and its country presences through the Greening the Blue initiative and in compliance with the UN Sustainability Strategy 2020–2030. • Coordinate and monitor small-scale green initiatives in the office (e.g. indoor plants, waste reduction, energy saving, green procurement), and support communication around them. • Research, collect and review information on environmental management and climate issues relevant to the region and their human rights impact; support analysis and information-sharing within the team. • Contribute to the drafting of environmental guidance documents, environmental assessment reports, briefings, presentations and other written materials related to environmental management and its intersection with human rights. • Participate in or support organization of meetings, consultations, and public events related to environmental rights; take notes and prepare summaries. • Liaise with government stakeholders, UN agencies, NGOs, and environmental human rights defenders to support cooperation on human rights and sustainable environmental management. • Strengthen OHCHR ROCA capacity related to sustainable environmental management through provision of direct technical support and development of appropriate tools, training and capacity-building and awareness creation. • Support outreach and visibility efforts, including communication campaigns to promote sustainability and environmental rights within ROCA. • Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor, including logistical or administrative tasks that contribute to the above areas of work.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Russian, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Political Sciences, International Relations, Social Sciences, Law, Human Rights or any related field.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams
Skills and experience
• Experience in environmental management, research, sustainability, climate policy, or human rights monitoring and advocacy. • Experience supporting environmental or human rights-related projects, especially those involving inter-agency coordination or civil society engagement, is an asset. • Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong drafting, reporting, and summarizing abilities. • Strong analytical and organizational skills; attention to detail and accuracy in producing written outputs. • Proven ability to work collaboratively and inclusively in multicultural teams, with sensitivity to diverse cultural, gender, and social perspectives. • Computer proficiency, including with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and internet-based collaboration tools. • Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently with minimal supervision and under tight deadlines. • Familiarity with the UN system, sustainable development agenda, and/or the Greening the Blue initiative is desirable. • Interest in environmental justice, volunteerism, and human rights as key elements of sustainable development.
Area(s) of expertise
Energy and environment , Legal affairs, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
As of September 2025, National UN Volunteer Specialists receive USD 1016.24 as their Volunteer Living Allowance. Other entitlements include: 1. Pre-assignment Entry lump sum USD 400 Relocation costs $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV) 2. During assignment Volunteer living allowance USD 1016.24 (as mentioned above) Learning: Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources Annual leave 2.5 days per month Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents . See the Conditions of Service for more details on eligibility criteria. 3. End of assignment Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment) USD 84.69 for each month served, paid on completion of contract. The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service Kyrgyzstan is a non-conflict country in Central Asia of natural beauty located in a mountainous area. It requires a mature level of cultural awareness, and willingness to live and work in a basic comfort condition. All services are available in Bishkek, where the UNV would be located. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are covered by the CIGNA insurance plan. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. 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
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