Climate Change and Environment Specialist

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.