General
Description of assignment title
Climate Change and Environment Specialist
Assignment country
Bangladesh
Expected start date
01/10/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNRCO
Type
Onsite
Duration
24 months
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Dhaka
Details
Mission and objectives
The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system brings together all UN entities dealing with operational activities for sustainable development in Bangladesh. Its aim is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness and support coordination and coherence of the UN system. The RC focuses on leveraging leadership, policy, programmatic and diverse practical expertise across UN development entities working together towards the common goal of improving the relevance and impact of the UN’s contribution to a country’s development results. The UN in Bangladesh delivers collectively through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026. The UNSDCF outcomes are aligned with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, the priorities set in the Government of Bangladesh’s 8th Five-Year Plan and Vision 2021, and Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights standards. The UNDAF is a concise, public framework that provides strategic vision to the UN system, contributes to all-of society engagement and an enabling environment for sustainable development, and frames the contribution and role of the UN system within Bangladesh’s overall sustainable development.
Context
Bangladesh is considered one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world but can also become a global laboratory for climate change solutions. To support initiatives and the coordination of UN efforts, there is a pressing need to deploy additional technical expertise on climate change and environment. The main purpose of this assignment is to enhance capacities of the UNRCO to support the coordination of UN agencies internally and externally with other actors (Local Consultative Group on climate change and environment, UNSDCF result group on environment and resilient environment working group of Bangladesh Private Sector Working Committee) in support of national priorities. The UN Volunteer will participate in the overall scope of work of thematic groups including coordination within the sector, integration of key cross-cutting issues, supporting communication and dissemination of best practices, establishing links with other working groups and platforms, and maintaining a constructive dialogue with key stakeholders. Bangladesh also faces complex situations and humanitarian challenges with frequent natural disasters (floods, erosion, cyclones). The UN Volunteer will also support the humanitarian team during crisis response to bridge the humanitarian and development work. He/she will support enhancing linkages with other national or regional coordination mechanisms, such as the Energy & Environment Network in Cox’s Bazar.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Head of RCO, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support effective coordination of UN agencies in working groups, networks, and platforms. • Assisting in coordination of national and international key stakeholders and strengthen the partnership with the government, development partners, private sector, NGOs, CSOs. • Support knowledge exchange and networking on climate, environment, energy, and disaster risk reduction. • Conduct research, analyses and keep up to date track on climate and environment strategies. • Observe and engage in national and international climate change policy debates. • Ensure optimal flow of information about initiatives, projects, forthcoming events, international climate negotiations. • Support mapping of active development partners and private sector actors in the field of climate change and environment. • Develop communications briefs and promote information sharing and facilitate dialogue with partners. • Support documentation of good practices and lessons learned. • Working closely with the Partnership and Development Finance Officer to explore opportunities for different climate financing mechanisms and explore the potential for private sector partnerships on climate change. • Participate in relevant national and regional conferences, meetings, and other forums. • Organize meetings, training and workshops including programme, venues, facilities, document preparation. • Serve as a resource person on capacity development activities and trainings on climate change. • Assist in day-to-day coordination activities related to procurement & logistics and general administration.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of France, therefore the following specific criteria will apply: • Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ section (please include country and title of assignment). • Only French nationals are eligible to apply. • In addition to the requirements of the DOA, candidates must have obtained a Master II certificate. • Candidates must be between 27 and 35 years of age at the time of the application and have at least 3 years of professional experience. • Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with the UN Host Entity. • The assignment is scheduled to start in October 2024, after the Journée d’Accueil organized by MEAE in September 2024.
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Donor priorities
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Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in • Environment and climate change related experience. • Working experience at the national, regional or international levels, gained in the private, public, or non-governmental sectors. • Experience in partnership and coordination and in working with wide range of partners. • Previous experience of working with government and development partners will be an added advantage. • Knowledge and understanding of the global debate on climate change and experience in multilateral environmental dialogues. • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team and to collaborate on cross-cutting issues. • Excellent organizational and analytical skills. • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. • Experience in the Asia Pacific region is considered an asset. • Advanced computers skills (word-processing/spreadsheets, PowerPoint).
Area(s) of expertise
Crisis and emergency response, Administration
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Mother tongue, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in climate change, climate change and development, sustainable development, environmental sciences, environment or natural resource management, or a related field as appropriate for the specific profile.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Working with teams • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical – hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.
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