Location:

Apia, Samoa
Salary:

negotiable / YEAR
Job type:

VOLUNTEER
Posted:

3 months ago
Category:

Project Management
Deadline:

10/03/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

assignment(s)

Fully funded

Advertisement end date:10/03/2024

General

Description of assignment title

Blue Economy Specialist

Assignment country

Samoa

Expected start date

13/05/2024

Sustainable Development Goal

14. Life below water

Volunteer category

International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity

UNDP

Type

Onsite

Duration

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments

Duty stations

Apia

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Samoa, which covers Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, implements the UNDP Subregional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (2018-22), which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and country priorities as reflected in national development plans. In close partnership with the four Governments, UNDP works in collaboration with donors, the private sector, civil society organizations and local communities, academia, media and regional organizations to provide global knowledge and integrated development solutions to development challenges. UNDP promotes a whole-of-society approach to deliver on the ambition of the 2030 Agenda, with greater involvement of civil society actors, emphasis on empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups, and centered on the principle of leaving no one behind.

Context

Under the UNDP Multi Country Programme Document (MCPD) for the Pacific Islands and Territories 2023-2027, the UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office (MCO) is working to achieve the outcome that “By 2027, people, communities and institutions are more empowered and resilient to face diverse shocks and stresses, especially related to climate variability impacts; and ecosystems and biodiversity are better protected, managed, and restored”. By this commitment and leveraging the SIDS Offer on Blue Economy, the UNDP Ocean Pledge and UNDP Nature Pledge, the UNDP Samoa MCO supports the Governments of the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau in developing and implementing blue economy strategies and plans that not only focus on marine resource and ocean management, but also catalyse livelihoods generation for vulnerable communities, effect interventions that are inclusive and empowering of youth, women and marginalized communities, and strengthen social and financial systems so to build community resilience. In this assignment, the UNV Specialist is expected to work within the Environment and Climate Change (ECC) Unit and national partners across the four SIDS covered by the MCO to design a multi-country/regional project document focusing on transforming markets for reef investment solutions towards sustaining healthy coral reef ecosystems and blue economic development. This will include implementing the project preparation grant (PPG) phase and managing the subsequent process for securing grant approval from the targeted donors. The UNV Specialist will also support the ECC Unit with portfolio pipeline development focusing on the blue economy by conducting research on practical applications based on the key priorities of the four SIDS, as well as conducting donor landscaping in the blue economy space and related fields that are inclusive of ocean management and marine resource management interventions. In addition, s/he will support with implementation of the ongoing programme portfolio.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative of the ECC Unit, the UNV Specialist will undertake the following tasks: 1. Contribute to the design, and manage the PPG phase, of the multi-country/regional project document on transforming markets for reef investment solutions towards sus-taining healthy coral reef ecosystems and blue economic development. 2. Conduct research on SIDS blue economy priorities for the development of concept notes and proposals, as well as donor landscaping. 3. Support the implementation and provide advice to ongoing blue economy related UNDP projects in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of Spain and therefore specific criteria apply: – Candidates must be Spanish nationals. – Candidates who already served on an assignment funded by the Government of Spain are not eligible to apply for an assignment in the same category. Former UN Youth Volunteers may apply for UN Volunteer Specialist assignments and former UN Volunteer Specialists may apply for UN Volunteer Expert assignments – Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by the UN Host Entity in May. Application deadline: 10 March 2024 +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Donor priorities

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in programme/project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. · Relevant experience working with development partners and donors both in multilateral and bilateral relations on project support and funding. · Relevant experience working with government partners, non-government organiza-tions, private sector, civil society organizations, and communities. · Relevant experience working with SIDS particularly in the Pacific region is desired. · Relevant experience in development and implementation of blue economy strategies or related frameworks in SIDS is an advantage.

Area(s) of expertise

Community development, Development programmes, Energy and environment

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Environmental Policy and Governance, Marine Conservation, Oceanography, Maritime Infrastructure Development, Blue Technology and Innovation and Renewable Energy from the Sea etc..

Competencies and values

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Working in Teams

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Samoa gained independence in 1962 – the first Polynesian country to achieve this political status. Situated about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, Samoa is made of nine volcanic islands, two of which – Savai’i and Upolu – make up more than 99% of the land. The capital city of Samoa is Apia. The total population of Samoa is 200,000 with a total area of 2,934 square km. The terrain consists of narrow coastal plains with volcanic, rocky, 6 rugged mountains in interior. Samoa is a bilingual country. Samoan is the main language and English is the second official language. Most government bodies and institutions work primarily in English. The traditional Samoan way, the fa’a Samoa, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics where family is all-important and elders are highly respected. Each village is made up of ex-tended families that are represented on the village council by a chief (matai). The more west-ern-style parliamentary system in Samoa is highly influenced by traditional social systems and the family, civic and political duties performed by the matai at village level. The country is predominantly Christian. The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remit-tances from overseas and agricultural exports. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector in Samoa. Apia has good accommodation facilities in terms of the Pacific standard and good road net-works. Medical facilities are limited in comparison to developed countries and emergencies are undertaking in New Zealand. Food items and imported commodities are easily available in the market. There is a functioning banking system in the country. Samoa has a warm tropical climate and insect repellents are needed for the nights. Apia has an international airport which is well connected to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

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, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s 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

This job has expired.