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Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific – Fukuoka
1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0001 JAPAN
Tel: +81-92-724-7121, Fax: +81-92-724-7124
fukuoka.habitat@un.org – www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org
TERMS OF REFERENCE
| ORGANIZATION: | United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) |
| FUNCTIONAL TITLE: | Associate Climate Change Specialist (Re-advertised) |
| DUTY STATION: | New Delhi, India with frequent missions to South Asian countries |
| DURATION: | 6 months with possibility of extension up to 1 year |
| TYPE OF CONTRACT: | Individual Contractor Contract through UNOPS ICA (Open for all Nationals, eligible to work in India) |
| LEVEL | IICA-1 or LICA 9 |
BACKGROUND:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the United Nations agency responsible for sustainable urbanization and safer human settlements that contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.
South Asia’s five coastal countries (Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) account for less than 2 percent of the world’s total coastline (about 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast), yet the low elevation coastal zones of these countries, with an area of about 160,000 km2, contain 135 million people—22.5 percent of the global population living in such zones. The coastal zones also contain about 40 percent of the formal economic activities in the region and most of its critical economic infrastructure.
Whereas all the landlocked countries in South Asia region like Afghanistan, Bhutan and Nepal are least developed countries and also do not have adequate resources to address the effects of climate change and different suffering due to rising temperatures cause erratic weather patterns, faster glacier melting, leading to flash floods, mudslides and avalanches. Especially in Afghanistan, climate change is having serious impacts on Afghanistan’s people and ecosystems, making it among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change.
The effects of climate change and its impact on South Asian economies estimated a slash off 9- 10% every year. The reasons for slow action include relevant policies, action plans, and regulations on urban planning and environment which have not been adjusted to manage climate change; slow response to climate disasters due to lack of capacity and resources; and lack of public awareness on climate variability and climate change-induced hazard mitigation. Among these, when properly planned, capacitated, and managed through the appropriate governance structures, cities can be places of innovation and efficiency. Together with their local authorities, they have the potential to diminish the causes of climate change (mitigation) and effectively protect themselves from its impacts (adaptation).
UN-Habitat is currently focused on supporting the governments of South Asia, where climate
change and urbanization present a myriad of critical issues in the region, with the formulation of policies and strategies to create and strengthen a self-reliant management capacity at both national and local levels and is interested improving overall capacity in ensuring climate resilient human settlements.
Under the overall supervision of respective ROAP thematic and geographic HSOs and with closely working with respective country management and counterparts, the Climate Change Specialist will assist UN-Habitat, and the relevant government Ministries, with the following tasks:
Six months (extendable) with duty station in New Delhi.
Education: Advanced university degree in environmental science/ economics/ urban planning/ social studies/ international development or another field deemed relevant to climate change or a first university degree with additional 2 years relevance experience in lieu Advance university degree. Previous experiences with the UN will be a plus.
Work Experience: At least five (5) years of relevant working experience; preference will be given to those with previous UN-Habitat and/or UN experience. The ability to think creatively, work in a team, and perform under challenging circumstances is crucial. Adequate experience in working in developing countries and knowledge of project implementation in developing country environments is a requisite.
Language: Fluent command of English and knowledge of one of the regional languages is desirable.
Other Skills: Experience in the formulation of strategies, concept notes and project documents. Ability to work under pressure against deadlines and to work efficiently in a multi-national team with different backgrounds. Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural awareness. Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competence, and integrity.
Professionalism: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate
amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to please indicate their immediate availability to undertake the assignment as per terms of reference above. The application must be accompanied with a completed UN Personal History Form (P11). Please download the form (MS-Word) from UN-Habitat ROAP website http://www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/vacancy/index_en.html
The application should comprise of:
All applications should be submitted to:
UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
ACROS Fukuoka, 8th Floor, 1-1-1 Tenjin Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0001 Japan habitat.fukuoka@un.org with a copy to unhabitat.india@un.org
Please indicate the Post Title: “ROAP SA-CC-2019” in your email subject.
Please note that applications received after the closing date stated above will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for interview. The fee will be determined according to the qualifications, skills and relevant experience of the selected candidate. In line with UN-Habitat policy on gender equity, applications from female candidates are particularly encouraged.
Due to a large number of applications expected, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8).