Result of Service

The consultant will provide technical assistance on communication and institutional support for implementation of EANET Secretariat’s activities in 2025.

Work Location

Office-based

Expected duration

11 months (1 February to 31 December 2025)

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global 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 Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance. UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment. UNEP supports several initiatives, including intergovernmental networks, to increase impacts and strengthen regional presence and collaboration in tackling environmental issues. One of them is the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), a regional intergovernmental network focusing on air pollution and acid deposition. Established by countries in East and Southeast Asia in January 2001, EANET aims to create a shared understanding of the state of acid deposition and air pollution problems in East Asia, provide useful inputs for decision-making at various levels to prevent adverse impacts on the environment, and contribute to active collaboration on the issues related to acid deposition and air pollution among countries. The Network works to provide reliable data on acid deposition and air pollution, promote public awareness and a common understanding of environmental, social, and economic issues of atmospheric pollution, ultimately leading to establishing an epistemic community. Since 2016, UNEP began to provide Secretariat services for the EANET. In this role, UNEP is tasked to ensure that the secretariat services can provide technical, financial, and administrative arrangements for the EANET and facilitate cooperation among the Participating Countries by taking into account the program’s sustainability future development. In November 2021, the Twenty-third Session of Intergovernmental (IG23) Meeting of EANET approved the Medium-Term Plan for the EANET (2021-2025) and Work Programme and Budget of EANET. In November 2021, the IG23 also made a decision to expand the scope of Instrument for the EANET, to include wider air pollution/ air quality issues in the future work of EANET. In 2023, the EANET implemented its first Project Activities, funded by the EANET Project Fund, allowing co-financing and cooperation with new partners from outside of the EANET. In 2025, the EANET will continue to implement its activities in line with the MTP (2021-2025). The key activities of EANET Secretariat in 2025 include the organization of key meetings of EANET in 2025 (including the Twenty-seventh Intergovernmental Meeting of EANET (IG27), the Twenty-fifth Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (SAC25), and the Working Group Meeting in 2025 (WG2025), as well as EANET communication and awareness activities. In addition to the usual key meetings of the EANET, and in preparation for the next Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for the EANET (2026-2030), an additional Session of the Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (SAC-MTP) and of the Working Group Meeting on the MTP (WG-MTP) are planned to be organized in the first half of 2025.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in Communications, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level University degree, in combination with an additional four years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5-years work experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area. Strong skills in writing and editing publications, designing communication products, managing the website, and making use of social media. Familiarity with issue related to acid deposition and air quality in the Asia region is an advantage. Strong analytical skills, understanding of the socio-political complexities of developing countries, and experience in communicating complex sustainable development issues is also required. Experience working with intergovernmental bodies and working with different countries is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.