UNDP Job Opening: Climate Change Policy Research Junior Officer

19/06/2024

6 minutes read

Job Opportunity: Climate Change Policy Research Junior Officer

Assignment Title: Climate Change Policy Research Junior Officer
Location: Panama
Duty Station: Panama City
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: July 14, 2024
Expected Start Date: October 25, 2024
Volunteer Category: International UN Youth Volunteer
Host Entity: UNDP
Number of Assignments: 1

Table of Contents

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Mission and Objectives

UNDP operates in 170 countries and territories with the mission to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop robust policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions, empowering them to sustain their progress. As the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, UNDP supports countries and communities in eradicating poverty, implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We advocate for transformative change and connect countries to the resources they need to build a better life for their people. UNDP plays a crucial role in international development as a knowledge broker, capacity builder, innovator, and facilitator of global development debates.

Our work revolves around connecting countries to the knowledge, resources, and networks they need for significant development breakthroughs. UNDP’s efforts are summed up in six signature solutions, adapted to context and powered by three potent enablers for greater impact. We respond in an integrated and coherent manner to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure all people live prosperous lives with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and foster peaceful and inclusive societies. We are committed to mobilizing the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development based on strengthened global solidarity.

UNDP Job Opening: Climate Change Policy Research Junior Officer

Climate Promise

The Climate Promise represents UNDP’s comprehensive response to climate change. Tackling the climate crisis requires bold pledges under the Paris Agreement, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening adaptation to climate impacts. The Climate Promise is UNDP’s commitment to ensure that any country wishing to enhance the ambition of their national climate pledge can do so.

UNDP is scaling up support for countries to turn their NDC targets into concrete actions while pushing for greater ambition. This involves leveraging extensive infrastructure, networks, and a breadth of substantive offers to provide comprehensive support on NDC implementation. This effort is underpinned by strong support for green COVID-19 recovery measures and aligning UNDP’s broader portfolio with the Paris Agreement and NDCs.

Context in Panama

Panama has enhanced its mitigation ambition from the first NDC by providing specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets for the energy and forestry sectors. The country commits to a 24% reduction in total emissions from the energy sector by 2050 (and 11.5% by 2030) and the restoration of 50,000 hectares of forest by 2050. The updated NDC includes objectives in areas such as watershed management, marine-coastal systems, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, livestock and aquaculture, resilient human settlements, public health, sustainable infrastructure, and circular economy. It also features a well-developed adaptation component in the format of an adaptation communication.

Adaptation and Resilience Areas in the NDC:

Agriculture
Ecosystem
Energy

Health
Infrastructure
Measurement, Reporting, and Verification

Water

Climate Change Impact: Climate change significantly affects Panama, with issues like prolonged droughts, increased flooding, and rising temperatures. These changes have profound implications for key regions such as Bocas del Toro, Ngäbe Buglé, and the Guna Yala region, which are particularly vulnerable to flooding and other climate-related hazards.

Panama Canal Challenges: The Panama Canal, a critical artery for global trade, faces operational challenges due to climate change. Drought conditions have led to restrictions on the depth at which ships can transit, forcing vessels to carry lighter loads and impacting the canal’s revenue and efficiency. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has implemented various water-saving measures, such as reusing water in lock chambers and optimizing transit schedules. Panama is also implementing integrated watershed management to guarantee water and livelihoods, improving quality-of-life conditions for those who inhabit the watershed while protecting and creating nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.

Climate Action and NDCs: Panama is committed to combating climate change through its NDCs, including carbon neutrality by 2050, while maintaining carbon-negative conditions based on its forest coverage and blue sinks. The country emphasizes preserving its extensive forest cover and enhancing its natural carbon sinks as part of its strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Nature, Climate Change, and Energy National Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Literature Reviews: Gather and review existing research, policy documents, and reports on climate change and environmental policies relevant to Panama.
Data Analysis: Collect, organize, and analyze data on climate trends, greenhouse gas emissions, and the effectiveness of climate policies relevant to Panama.
Report Preparation: Draft reports, policy briefs, and research papers summarizing findings and providing actionable recommendations for Panama.

Collaboration: Maintain detailed records of research activities, data sources, and analytical methods for transparency and future reference.
Support Senior Staff: Provide support to senior researchers and policy analysts in complex projects, including managing project timelines and coordinating with other team members.

Eligibility Criteria

Age: 18 – 26
Nationality: Swedish nationals only
Volunteer Category: International UN Youth Volunteer

Application Deadline: July 14, 2024

This assignment is funded by the Government of Sweden, and specific criteria apply:

Candidates must be Swedish nationals.

Candidates must be between 18 and 29 years of age at the time of application.
Candidates who have already served on a UN Youth Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of Sweden are not eligible.

Application Process:

If above 26, a notification will display indicating ineligibility, but you may proceed with submitting your application.
Apply to a maximum of three assignments, indicating order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for selection, conducted by the UN Host Entity in August.

Mandatory Training in Sweden: Selected candidates must attend a mandatory preparation training in Sweden, organized by Sida, from October 14 to 18, before deployment.

Requirements

Experience: 1 year of experience or demonstrated interest in Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Public Policies, Policy Development, Researching, Analyzing, and Writing about Climate Change. Previous volunteer experience or experience in another culture (e.g., studies, volunteer work, internship) is highly regarded.

Area(s) of Expertise: Development Programmes, Energy, and Environment.
Languages: Fluent in English; working knowledge of Spanish.
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in International Law, Environmental Law, Political Science, or International Relations.

Competencies and Values: Adaptability and Flexibility, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams.

Living Conditions and Remarks

Panama has seen significant improvements in living conditions, reflected in its high ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI). However, inequality persists, especially affecting indigenous peoples, Afro-Panamanians, and rural communities. Key aspects include:

Economic Growth and Inequality: Robust economic growth projected at around 6.5% in 2023. Inequality remains a challenge, with disparities evident among different demographic groups.
Healthcare and Infrastructure: Panama’s healthcare system is noteworthy, with quality care provided in several hospitals and clinics. The country’s infrastructure, including transportation and road conditions, generally meets international standards, making travel relatively hassle-free.
Safety: The government is committed to maintaining safety for locals and tourists, with visible police presence in tourist areas and efforts to improve safety standards.

Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), and Deployment/Repatriation lump sums, are available at UNV Entitlement Calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service can be found at UNV Conditions of Service.

Inclusivity Statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, and care-protected characteristics. All UN Volunteers commit to combating any form of discrimination and promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Note on COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy.

Keywords: Climate Change, Policy Research, UNDP, Panama, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sustainable Development, Nationally Determined Contributions, Adaptation, Resilience, Carbon Neutrality, Forestry, Environmental Policies, Energy Sector, Water Management, Climate Action.