Regional Global Adaptation Network (GAN) Liaison

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the GAN Coordinator and with a second reporting line to Regional Climate Change Coordinator in the respective region or to his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Regional GAN Liaison will be:

• Supporting 3 regional networks of GAN in their respective regional headquarters i.e. Nairobi, Panama and Bangkok (Africa: Ebafosa / AAKNet; Latin America: Regatta; and Asia Pacific: APAN)
• Liaising and reaching out to other actors and networks in the region to strengthen and expand the regional presence of GAN
• Keeping abreast of adaptation events in the region and exploring opportunities for GAN to connect / support
• Creating and updating contact lists for the regional networks to share and cross-fertilize with GAN’s networks; building a database of regional adaptation contacts, organizations, companies, and prestigious experts along with their areas of expertise [MN1]
• Making regular contact with leading adaptation experts including in the private sector, and keeping abreast / discovering what they’re working on, interest and expertise (for potential involvement in projects, publications, sessions, webinars)
• Supporting bi-directional connections between regional networks and GAN (exploring ways for GAN to work to support and connect the regions)
• Developing surveys, conducting research and outreach to gather information, evidence, synthesize knowledge and create case studies from regional adaptation work including projects in the regions on best practices, barriers to EbA adoption and uptake, for feeding into the Global EbA Fund, UNEP normative work and global processes including UNFCCC
• Creating content in the form of articles, stories, op-eds or other for bimonthly GAN and/or regional network newsletters, websites or reports
• Supporting and organizing virtual or in-person adaptation events, webinars, seminars or sessions
• Gathering information on regional adaptation reading to feed into regular GAN reading lists Dveloping reports on latest activities of updating GAN’s regional networks and partners on GAN’s latest activities

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

[MN1]This could also including mapping out these organizations and experts, along with the linkages between them

Qualifications/Requirements Required degree level: Master degree or equivalent Education - Additional Comments:

Master’s degree related to environmental management, climate change, natural resources management or other relevant area;

Required experience: 36 Months Experience remark:

• Required: At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in support of environmental or science networks or other relevant programmes; experience with adaptation, in particular ecosystem-based adaptation or nature-based solutions, is desired, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Required: Excellent proven written and oral communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and analytical skills in English;
• Desired: for Latin America: knowledge of Spanish; for Africa, knowledge of French and/or Arabic;

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in adaptation, in particular ecosystem-based adaptation, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Spanish(Optional), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise: Other energy, environment and climate change related experience, Other science experience Area of expertise details:

• Required: At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in support of environmental or science networks or other relevant programmes; experience with adaptation, in particular ecosystem-based adaptation or nature-based solutions, is desired, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

Driving license: No Competencies values:

Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply.

Application deadline: 16-Julio-2020 at 23:59hrs, Germany time