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NUNV Project Associate - SNRM/BIOFIN

New Delhi

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: New Delhi
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Banking and Finance
    • Environment
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Environment&Disaster Reduction
  • 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

Human survival and well-being depend upon biodiversity and healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. India is one of the megadiverse countries in the world with over 47000 species of plants and 96,000 species of animals. India’s economy and livelihoods of millions of people depend on preventing biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. The rich biological diversity is facing new challenges such as multiple-use landscapes, climate change, lack in technical and financial capacities to deal with emerging challenges of biodiversity conservation, its sustainable use, access and benefit sharing and biodiversity governance at local levels.

To address the global biodiversity loss, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes the importance and need for new and additional financial resources. At the Eleventh meeting of Conference of Parties (CoP11) of CBD held in Hyderabad during India’s Presidency of the CoP, the High Level Panel set up by the CBD on Global Assessment of Resources, found that the global investment required to implement CBD’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 would cost between US$ 150 to US $ 440 billion annually.

Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a global programme of UNDP, seeks to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner. BIOFIN was launched in India in May 2015. BIOFIN provides an innovative methodology for countries to measure their current biodiversity expenditures, assess their financial needs for biodiversity conservation in the medium term and identify most suitable finance solutions to reduce their national biodiversity finance gaps.

BIOFIN in India is being led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), hosted by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and managed by UNDP India under the thematic pillar of Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity.

BIOFIN provides a systematic and flexible approach to identify and mobilize the financial resources needed for implementing the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and for achieving the National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs). BIOFIN, is expected to further enhance awareness and sensitization about significance of mainstreaming biodiversity in development sectors, thereby, inter alia leveraging existing resources to contribute more towards biodiversity, and reducing the financial gap in achieving the NBTs. BIOFIN in India is a seven step process.  Key steps includes, appraisal of public programmes and schemes to understand their impact and dependency on biodiversity; Assessment of biodiversity attributable public expenditures at the central and state level; Assessment of biodiversity attributable expenditure/investments by businesses, donors, civil society organizations and through externally aided projects, Financial Needs Assessment for implementing  the National Biodiversity Action Plan and development of a Biodiversity Finance Plan based on assessment of finance gap for implementing the NBAP..

The Biodiversity Finance Plan, the fourth and ultimate step of phase I of the BIOFIN process, aims to present a coherent and comprehensive national approach to biodiversity finance that encompasses a full suite of finance solutions, well beyond the mobilization of new and additional resources, engaging the public sector, private sector, and civil society. The aim is to produce a nationally validated Biodiversity Finance Plan that proposes steps to implement a mix of finance solutions in order to expand and improve the country’s biodiversity finance and achieve the NBTs.

The ongoing phase II of BIOFIN aims to demonstrate implementation of select 3 finance solutions out of 12 potential finance solutions enlisted in the National Biodiversity Finance Plan-working document. This include Corporate Social Responsibility, Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Public sector (agriculture sector) and Access and Benefit Sharing.

UNDP is looking for a dynamic United Nations Volunteer (UNV) to support the SNRM/BIOFIN programme team in implementation of the BIOFIN Phase II in India.

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. 42,473.67 (Rupees Forty Two Thousand Four Hundered Seventy Three 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 (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), 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, Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity, UNDP India, the candidate will perform the following:

  1. Support in effective implementation of the 3 financial solution with a special focus on engaging the private sector in implementing national/state level priority actions towards biodiversity conservation and management.
  2. Support in mapping the role and impact of businesses (public, private and Financial Institutions) towards conservation and management of biodiversity and natural resource management, identify innovative project ideas based on state/national priorities in this area and match making the same with priority areas of corporate investment/CSR funding. Developing a business case as well as concept notes/proposals in this regard. (1-2 vetted concept to be developed on a bi-monthly basis)
  3. In the above context, support in preparation of necessary background materials for one to one/round table meetings/workshops with the public/ private corporates/Financial Institutions.
  4. Develop stories/blogs/factsheets/media outreach materials, tweets etc. for social media for reaching out to relevant business groups.
  5. Support in development of training and capacity building materials targeted to build capacities  and sensitise corporates in taking up priority actions in biodiversity conservation and management, based on government priorities.
  6. Support in development and management of an e- network for relevant business groups, and development of materials to facilitate in implementation of the e-network on a regular basis.
  7. Support in contract management, monitoring and reporting, regular coordination with technical agencies and consultants, of BIOFIN project, ensuring delivery of outputs in a timely manner with high quality standards. 
  8. Assisting in various programme related activities which may include (but not limited to) planning for meetings, consultations and other project related activities, as assigned by the Head, NRM & Biodiversity.
  9. Support in drafting Annual Work Plans, Critical Results Path, Progress Implementation Reports (PIRs), Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs)- both, physical and financial- as per the format provided by UNDP;
  10. Apart from the above, the UNV will be required to execute other duties assigned by the Head, Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity, UNDP India.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

  1. 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);
  2. Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
  3. Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
  4. Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
  5. Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
  6. 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

  1. Annual work plans, Quarterly Progress Reports and Progress Implementation reports prepared
  2. Relevant communication material (project briefs/factsheets, documentation of good practices, other knowledge products) prepared and disseminated;
  3. Background papers, proceedings, minutes of meetings prepared
  4. Training workshops, consultation workshops and one to one meetings with public and private institutions organised and other follow up works completed in a timely manner this regard.

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

Bachelors’ degree from a recognized institution in economics/finance/Development studies/ Sustainable Development or any other related field

One year of relevant  work experience, preferably with the private sector (in areas of research and analysis will be an added advantage)

Experience in research, analysis and report writing is desirable

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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