Details
Mission and objectives
The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to delivery more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an independent UN Resident Coordinator – the Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The RC promotes the normative values of the UN: gender equality and human rights, environmental sustainability and leaving no-one behind. In case of a humanitarian emergency, the Resident Coordinator takes on the additional reasonability of being appointed the Humanitarian Coordinator. In addition, the RC supports and promotes the UN's responsibilities to prevent and respond to violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including the responsibilities of UN entities and staff in this regard. The newly established UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO)/Multi-Country Office (MCO) is based in Kolonia, FSM and comprises a team of national and international staff focusing on strategic planning, joint analyses, supports joint UN operations, communications as well as partnerships and development finance. The MCO Micronesia oversees five Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific SIDS or PSIDS), namely Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Nauru and Kiribati.
Context
To capacitate the Resident Coordinator Office to play a critical role in strategic joint programming takes time and thematic knowledge in key areas. In the context of the MultiCountry Office Micronesia, which covers five countries, climate change/ environmental sustainability and youth are the key issues impacting the very survival of these populations and promoting innovation and creative solutions are critical and requires human resources. The UNV will provide support to overall planning, advocacy and programming as regards environment, climate change and youth engagement. A Youth UNV would help to strengthen coordination and support the dialogue between the RCO, UN Country Team, CSOs and stakeholders in this thematic area. As it is difficult to recruit specialists and programme staff in Micronesia, this is an opportunity for growth, learning and to get exposure to a unique international development context where climate change, youth engagement and environmental sustainability is at the centre of the political and socio-economic agenda. The Youth UNV will have the unique opportunity to be part of the consolidation of a new UN presence and be a member of a dynamic and growing team.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Head of the RCO/ Team Leader/Strategic Planner, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the work of the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Young People focused on Micronesia, providing sec Support the development and updating of country climate change/environmental sustainability profiles as part of the Common Country and Regional Assessments • Support to researching environment and climate change-related issues and their impact on Micronesia • Support the development and maintenance of climate/environment related-youth agendas and outreach in the countries under the purview of the MCO Micronesia • Support inclusion of all peoples across all Micronesia, especially women and girls, youth and persons with disabilities, in the climate change and environment agenda • Retariat, coordination, and substantive support as relevant • Support UN Pacific Strategy Outcome Group 1/Results Group: Climate Change, Disaster Resilience and Environmental Protection providing secretariat, coordination, and thematic substantive support; • Work with the Communications Officer and UN Communications Group in the designing, drafting and implementation of communications content and strategies in relation to environmental sustainability and climate change and youth agendas. • Work closely with the Country Coordination Officers on policy and advocacy related to environmental sustainability and climate change. 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.