Environmental Rights Technical Support – Pacific (National Volunteer) At UN Volunteers

Deadline to apply : 26 June 2024

Mission and objectives

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive inter-governmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.

The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCAP also provides support to partners at the national level. ESCAP’s national offer is rooted in and linked with the implementation of global and regional intergovernmental frameworks, agreements, and other instruments, including through the services offered by the Environment and Development Division and the Subregional Office for the Pacific.

The ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific – formerly known as ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre (EPOC) – was established in 1984 in Port Vila by combining the Pacific Liaison Office’s operations based in Nauru and the United Nations Development Advisory Team based in Fiji. The office was relocated to Suva in 2005 to enable more effective collaboration with regional partners.

The Office’s guiding mission is to support Pacific Island developing countries in their efforts to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implement the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A. Pathway).

The ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific covers Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, as well as American Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue and the Northern Mariana Islands as associate members.

Priority concerns of Pacific countries are brought to the Commission’s attention through The Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries. Issues considered at recent Special Body sessions include employment, sustainable development, urban management and tourism.

It focuses on the following priority areas, as mandated by the ESCAP Commission:

• National Planning and Policy Coherence
• 2030 Agenda and SAMOA Pathway
• Social Inclusion and Equality
• Climate Action and Resources
• Management Data and Statistics

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the responsible Environmental Affairs Officer, Environment and Development Division, ESCAP, and in coordination with the Director, ESCAP Subregional Office for the Pacific and the Regional Representative, OHCHR Pacific Regional Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Supports the implementation and delivery of activities related to the SIDA-funded project on “Advancing Environmental Rights in Asia and the Pacific”

• Supports outreach to, and communication with stakeholders,

• Liaises with relevant partners and stakeholders to support implementation of project activities; identify and tracks follow-up actions

• Attends project and other meetings with partners, liaises with ESCAP colleagues as appropriate to prepare for and follow up from meetings.

• Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports in the field of environmental rights, in particular, as these relate to national environmental law and related in-situations. • Assists in the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material on environmental rights

• Assist in the organization and support of events (meetings, workshops and training, roundtables and expert meetings), that are organized face-to-face or electronically, through e.g., liaising with partner entities/organizations and with participants, compiling materials, taking notes and pre-paring reports;

• Prepares strategies, and undertakes research, to support technical assistance to Member States;

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• 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;

• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;

• 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.

Results/Expected Outputs

• As an active project team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to ESCAP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of their functions, including through:

o Preparing documents that methodically analyze research information collected and logically lead to the conclusions set out therein;

o Delivering assignments that are delivered in accordance with agreed standards of quality and within set deadlines; o Review and technical inputs provided for project documents, products and papers.

o Regional events, meetings, forums, and workshops facilitated by coordinating with partners, inviting speakers and setting up programs.

• The development of capacity through informal and formal on-the-job training, when working with national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs).
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and document-ed in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Required experience

3 years of experience in law required, with specialization in environmental law, sustainable development law, international law, human rights or comparative law desirable

• Proven ability to carry out research and familiarity with electronic research tools and databases.
• Excellent oral and writing skills; excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, fast-learner, ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Affinity with or interest in the advancement of environmental law, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN System.
• Previous experience as a volunteer, and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be an advantage.

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in environmental law and/ or human rights law, legal research, and coordination of projects and activities. Experience working on human rights and environment in the Pacific region is desired.