Climate Early Warning Systems Portfolio Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.

Context

The Early Warning and Assessment Division (EWAD) of UNEP is responsible for analysing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information, and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyse and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. In response to requests from the Member States, the Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit of EWAD builds country capacities in the collection, management, and use of environmental and climate data, information, and knowledge for early warning, planning, policy-making, preparedness, and response actions This is done through projects funded by global funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and a variety of other bilateral and multilateral funding sources. In addition, the Unit is managing a project on “Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems for science-based climate solutions” in the context of UNEP’s Climate Action sub-programme.
UNEP is seeking the services of an International UN Volunteer to support the efficient and effective implementation and execution of the Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Portfolio (CIEWS).

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Portfolio Manager, the UN Volunteer will work on a portfolio of projects strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS) in different countries, through the following tasks:
· Analyse documents/communications/reports to determine baselines with regard to CIEWS in targeted countries.
· Analyse potential contributions of CIEWS to the Climate Action agenda at country level.
· Support the management of the project on “Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems for science-based climate solutions”, including components supported by the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF).
· Draft a variety of documents including reports, studies, and results-based project documentation based on identified country needs and following applicable standards.
· Revise project documentation based on review comments from internal and external partners.
· Support management, monitoring, and reporting of assigned projects with Implementing Partners to ensure they are on track and any issues are resolved promptly.
· Maintain an overview of the status of assigned project portfolio, issue alerts, and propose remedial measures when necessary.
· Document lessons learnt in the implementation of CIEWS projects, including the SOFF-supported work.
· Manage a document repository of individual country project files, projects documentation, budgetary and finance records, progress reports, national technical reports, regional advisor mission reports, and correspondence. Etc.
· Support administrative coordination of projects implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with the diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances.
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.
Results/expected outputs:
· High-quality analyses and documents of the project on “Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Systems for science-based climate solutions”.
· Successful implementation of CIEWS initiatives in different countries, including those financed by the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF);
· The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring, and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
· Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
· A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed