Mission and objectives

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels. 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.

Context

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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The Consumption and Production Unit (CPU) of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division focuses on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy and resource efficiency. It engages stakeholders along the value chain to reduce the environmental and social impacts of production and consumption activities, to provide assessment, technical support and advisory to policy makers and businesses. The unit’s work covers a wide range of topics, including sustainable consumption and production, value chain, circular economy, eco-innovation, consumer information and eco-labelling, sustainability reporting; and sectors, including plastics, textiles, chemicals, tourism, extractives and electronics. This post is based in Panama City, Panama, to serve the work in the LAC region, in support of the joint work of LACO with other teams in UNEP, in particular the Consumption and Production Unit of the Industry and Economy Division. This UNV will contribute to UNEP’s strategy and Programme of Work, in particular UNEP’s work in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, the work on circularity in sectors, particularly plastics, contributing to the chemicals and pollution action programme of UNEP’s strategy 2022-2025.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of Programme officers from ROLAC and CPU, the International UN Volunteer Specialist will: • Support the implementation of pollution and circularity priority initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, including those related with resolutions and decisions adopted by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) and the LAC Forum of Ministers of Environment, in the areas of plastic pollution prevention and circularity, • Support the implementation of The Global Environment Facility (GEF) project “Reduce marine plastics and plastic pollution in Latin American and Caribbean cities through a circular economy approach”, including supporting the delivery of project activities led by CPU and LACO, and supporting the coordination with stakeholders in the project countries and at regional level. • Support the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Initiative, including supporting the government reporting process, organizing webinars/events, engaging with government signatories, etc. • Support the implementation of the UNEP One Plastics Initiative in the LAC region. • Support in strengthening the linkages between LACO and other UNEP teams on sustainable consumption and production, sustainable value chain, and circularity in sectors work, particularly the UNEP plastics initiative. • Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; develop project proposals, monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; develop contracts with implementing partners; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties including local and international stakeholders; identify and track follow-up actions; monitor impact of projects; support the reporting of project process to donors. • Contribute to the preparation of written outputs, e.g. briefings, draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Support the communication activities of the assigned projects, to ensure project results are communicated to relevant stakeholders timely. • Provide support to consultative workshops, and other meetings and conferences, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing documents and presentations, etc. • Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor. 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.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

The International UN Volunteer Specialist will be located with UNEP LACO in Panama City, Panama where proper conditions in terms of housing, transport, health and material supplies are sufficiently available. Panama provides good living conditions, include excellent access for air travel, fair security situation, tropical climate, average cost of living, many accommodation options, secured access food, water, electricity, medical facilities, banking facilities and communications infrastructure. Panama is a unique country and the Latin America, and the Caribbean is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements