Job Title: Programme Officer
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: UNCDF
Assignment country: Thailand
Expected start date: 04/12/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 1. No poverty
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Bangkok
Details
Mission and objectives
Update
Context
The Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) facility of the
UNCDF was designed and launched in 2011 with the aim of promoting climate
change-resilient communities and local economies by establishing a standard and
internationally recognized country-based mechanism to channel climate finance
to local government authorities (LGAs) in LDCs and to increase local
resilience, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Paris Agreement and
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the specific goals of
poverty eradication (SDG1) and climate action (SDG13). LoCAL increases
awareness and capacities to respond to climate change at the local level,
integrates climate change adaptation into local governments' planning and
budgeting systems, in a participatory and gender-sensitive manner, and
increases the amount of finance available to local governments for climate
change adaptation. LoCAL focuses on the delivery of four outputs that will
directly contribute to increasing local governments’ access to climate finance
and building resilience to climate change: • Output 1 – Awareness and
capacities to respond to climate change adaptation at the local level are
increased; • Output 2 – CCA is mainstreamed into government’s planning and
budgeting systems and investments are implemented in line with the PBCRG
mechanism; • Output 3 – The PBCRG system is effectively and sustainably
established in participating countries and leads to an increased amount of CCA
finance available to local government and local economy; • Output 4 – The role
of local authorities and of the PBCRGS in addressing climate change are
increasingly recognized at international level, through outreach, learning and
quality assurance. LoCAL combines performance-based climate resilience grants
(PBCRGs) with technical and capacity-building support. PBCRGs ensure
programming and verification of climate change expenditures at the local level
and offer strong incentives for general performance improvements targeting
areas of importance for enhanced resilience. The PBCRG can be seen as an
earmarked cross-sectoral grant with conditions attached to the use of its
funding for climate change adaptation beyond business as usual. Combined with
regular grant allocations, PBCRGs enable 100 per cent of the investments in
climate-sensitive sectors to become climate resilient over time. The PBCRGs
consist of a financial top-up to cover the additional costs of making
investments climate resilient and/or of additional investments for climate
change adaptation. These grants complement regular allocations made by the
central level to local governments through the respective intergovernmental
fiscal transfer system. They include a set of minimum conditions, performance
measures and a menu of eligible investments. As part of the LoCAL Team, working
under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, P3 based in Bangkok,
and under the overall leadership of the Global Climate Facility Manager, P5
based in Kampala, the Programme Officer will contribute to the effective delivery
and monitoring of the Programme’s activities in target countries, covering all
the expected results. It is expected that 25% of the IUNV time will be
dedicated to global activities, and 75% on Asia Pacific region.
Task description
Under the daily supervision of the Programme Specialist, and
under the general supervision of the Global Climate Facility Manager, the
Programme Officer will: • Provide support for the development and effective
implementation of LoCAL in target countries in close collaboration with the
Programme Specialist, UNCDF national teams and the LoCAL Facility (global
team); • Contribute to the provision of technical assistance for LoCAL in
target countries (e.g. writing terms of reference, letters of agreement,
memorandum of understanding, official letters, support recruitment and
management of consultants, etc); • Ensure that gender considerations are
mainstreamed in LoCAL programme activities by supporting implementation of the
Gender Action Plans, as needed; • Contribute to quality monitoring, evaluation
and reporting (e.g. preparation and monitoring of the annual work plans,
organization and participation in field missions, contribution to the
preparation of the quarterly and annual progress reports); • Contribute to the
organization of events, meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda
topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations,
etc. • Collect intelligence on technical and financial partners, identify
opportunities for collaboration with key stakeholders and support the
development of partnerships for LoCAL in assigned countries. • Support the
process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project
concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing; • Contribute to operations
activities, including finance, planning, human resources, procurement,
transport, IT, security, administration and ensure they follow UNCDF’s rules,
regulations, policies and procedures • Contribute to the knowledge and
communication efforts of LoCAL based on lessons learned and results achieved
from target countries (e.g. collecting stories from the field, photos/videos,
webpage, as appropriate); • Perform any other duties as it may be required.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers
programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through
engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers
should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested
activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of
volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active
part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International
Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local
forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of
assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. •
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV
publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV
Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local
groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local
individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service
whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs: • As an active
UNCDF/LoCAL team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and
high-quality support rendered to UNCDF and its beneficiaries in the
accomplishment of her/his functions, including by pursuing the following key
results of the Project and related activity results: o LoCAL in assigned
countries is effectively, efficiently and transparently implemented in line
with UNCDF project management regulations; o Government partners at national
and subnational levels and communities benefit from quality and timely
provision of technical assistance and capacity building support; o LoCAL in
assigned countries is effectively and efficiently monitored, assessed and
reported on; o LoCAL experience in assigned countries is well documented, best
practices identified and lessons learned and disseminated through various
communication channels; o LoCAL in assigned countries is strengthened as a
result of in-country technical and financial partnerships. • Age, Gender and
Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and
documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of
achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the
assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities
participated in and capacities developed. A final statement of achievements
towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as
reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and
capacities developed.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the
country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in environmental science and
management, climate science, geographic studies, political science,
international development, economics, statistics, or a related field. • A
minimum of three (3) years’ experience in progressively responsible positions
in implementing and monitoring development projects in the climate change
and/or decentralization areas is required; • Knowledge of local public
financial management and governance, including decentralization processes and
instruments (e.g. performance-based grants, intergovernmental fiscal transfer
systems, etc); • Proven/demonstrable networking capabilities and ability to
associate him/herself with a range of actors (inter alia central and local
governments; policy makers; development partners and donors, local communities,
women and youth groups) with a view to building relations and facilitating
links is highly desirable; • Work experience with local stakeholders, in
particular local governments and local communities, and in addressing gender
equality as project objective and/or cross-cutting issue in developing
countries is desired; • Strong awareness of key and emerging issues related to
climate change/adaptation is highly desirable; • Experience with a UN organization/agency
is desirable; • Experience with UNCDF/UNDP policies, rules and procedures is
desired, but not a requirement.
Area(s) of expertise
Economics and finance, Energy and environment , Business
management
Driving license
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Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in environmental science and
management, climate science, geographic studies, political science,
international development, economics, statistics, or a related field.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: Deep knowledge and understanding of key
concepts related to climate change and environment sustainability;
Understanding of key concepts related to local government finance including
decentralization and local economic development; Experience in policy,
regulatory and technical advice and project management related to the fields of
climate change and environment sustainability in relation to development;
Relevant technical experience with policy and regulatory bodies and central and
local governments; Work experience in developing countries; Experience with
addressing gender equality as project objective and/or cross-cutting issue;
Experience working with local communities, youth and women; • Innovation and
commitment to continuous learning: Builds confidence, creating an environment
of creativity and innovation; Takes on new approaches and fosters innovative
thinking; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
and resolve problems; Excellent analytical skills; • Client-orientation: Strong
client orientation, recognizing the importance of providing appropriate,
user-friendly and affordable services; Proactively identifies, develops and
discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and communicates with
management to develop new projects or services; Comfortable advocating and
advancing an agenda, including with high level counterparts and other
stakeholders; • Integrity: Conducts fair and transparent decision making;
Demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNCDF in daily
activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains;
resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are
in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action
in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or
authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: Experience being part of
teams, working with other stakeholders to achieve common goals; Experience
managing consultants, including recruiting, hiring and managing and evaluating
international and national expertise; Proven cross-cultural communication, able
to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment; Builds
and promotes teams and partnerships; Displays cultural and gender sensitivity
and adaptability; Treats all persons fairly without favouritism; • Planning and
organizing: Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a
large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; Ability to establish
priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work
under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: Creates and promotes open communication; Approaches work with
energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to
feedback; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement:
which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and
commitment towards UNCDF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core
Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand,
occupying 1,568.7 square kilometers (605.7 so mi) in the Chao Phraya River
delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 10.539 million as
of 2020, or 15.3 percent of the country's population. Like most of Thailand,
Bangkok has a tropical savanna climate and is under the influence of the South
Asian monsoon system. The city experiences three seasons: hot, rainy, and cool,
although temperatures are fairly hot year-round, ranging from an average low of
22.0 °C (71.6 °F) in December to an average high of 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in April.
The rainy season begins with the arrival of the southwest monsoon around
mid-May. September is the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 334.3
millimeters (13.16 in). The rainy season lasts until October, when the dry and
cool northeast monsoon takes over until February. The hot season is generally
dry, but also sees occasional summer storms. The UNDSS assessed the security
threat level for Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan province as level 2
(LOW).
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
