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NUN Youth Volunteer - Research Associate (Climate Change & Resilience)

New Delhi

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: New Delhi
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Youth
    • Administrative support
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Scientist and Researcher
    • Climate Change
    • Environment&Disaster Reduction
    • Volunteerism
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Organizational Context & Project Description

UNDP is committed to promoting low carbon, climate resilient and inclusive development with a focus on natural resource management. It supports the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under key multilateral environment agreements by providing leadership support, fostering South-South cooperation and creating innovative partnerships with the public and private sectors. Building on the successful projects delivered through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other partnerships, UNDP aims to generate new models of energy efficiency capable of going readily to scale.

The overarching goal of the Energy and Environment portfolio is to support the Government of India to meet its environmental commitments, better manage natural resources, address climate change and be energy secure. The programmes under the Energy and Environment portfolio are organized around the thematic areas of Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation, Land Degradation, Natural Resource Management, Chemical management and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Key areas of intervention of the  Energy and Environment portfolio are climate change (mitigation and adaptation), sustainable natural resource management (conserving biodiversity and addressing land degradation) and integrated chemical management (phasing out of ozone depleting substances and reducing persistent organic pollutants).

Living Conditions

New Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region is a large and bustling metropolis of some 14 million people undergoing rapid changes. The capital city is an administrative, cultural and commercial center with modern amenities and well connected by air. It is a safe place with large expatriate community drawn from embassies, UN agencies, MNCs and foreign businesses. It has short moderate winter and long hot summer.

Conditions of Service

A 12-month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Rs. 33,978.67 (Rupees Thirty Three Thousand Nine Hundered Seventy Eight and Paise Sixty Seven only) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included, as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Interested candidates should submit their applications at http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/operations/careers/.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head (Energy and Environment), the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

  • Carry out desk based research on issues related to energy, climate change and  resilience;
  • Prepare concept notes on thematic areas of environment, energy & resilience;
  • Collect and compile inputs from project staff and prepare project briefs and powerpoint presentations;
  • Provide support in developing project proposals on thematic areas of environment, energy & resilience;
  • Provide support in organizing training workshops, seminars, meetings and follow ups;
  • Prepare talking points,  meeting minutes and workshop proceedings;
  • follow up
  • Provide support in preparing communication material (briefs, stories, good practices) on projects;
  • Provide support in monitoring of programme activities through development of tracking tools;
  • Perform any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

  • 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;
  • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
  • 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

  • Project proposals developed for sharing with donors,  Central Government Departments/Agencies and state Government;
  • Concept Notes on thematic areas areas of environment, energy & resilience developed;
  • Communication material (briefs, stories, good practices) on projects prepared and disseminated;
  • Background papers, proceedings, minutes of meetings, training workshops, consultations  prepared and circulated.

Competencies

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: 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.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Required Skills and Experience

Masters degree in Disaster Management/ Environmental Science, and/or Climate Change

Since this is a Youth Volunteer's position, no experience is required. Fresh graduates are also encouraged to apply.

Excellent communication skills in English (speak, read & write) is essential.

Good experience in the usage of MS office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Microsoft Outlook etc) is essential.

Good knowledge of internet is also required.

Disclaimer

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.

This vacancy is now closed.
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