Partnerships Officer – UNV  

Description of assignment title: Partnerships Officer

Assignment country: Jordan

Expected start date: 01/10/2024

Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Expert

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: Yes

Accessibility measures in place

Host entity: UNHCR

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 30/09/2025

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Amman

Reasonable accommodation: Yes

Additional accessibility info: The physical environment of the office has: – Accessible parking spaces, including van-accessible spots. – Ramps, elevators, and lifts for level changes. – Wide doorways and corridors. – Accessible restrooms. – Appropriate surface materials for pathways and trails. – Clear, readable signage with symbols and colours. – Good lighting and acoustics. – Visual cues can be installed for those with hearing impairments. – Audio cues can be installed and tactile guides for those with visual impairments. – Space for wheelchair manoeuvrability. If additional needs are required, the office is ready to ensure that a conducive environment is created.

Details

Mission and objectives

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization leading international action to protect people forcibly displaced to flee conflict and persecution and those denied nationality. The Middle East and North Africa region hosts some 16.2 million forcibly displaced and stateless people across 15 operations. The region remains characterized by forced displacement, new and long-standing refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) populations, in a context of challenging political and security environments. The region is witnessing increasing vulnerabilities prompted by adverse global socio-economic trends and high inflation, a drop in donor interest, and reduced tolerance and acceptance of persons who UNHCR aids and supports. By 2030, increasing numbers of forcibly displaced and stateless people fleeing from climate-fuelled crises and/or living in climate vulnerable countries find solutions are protected and resilient to the impacts of climate change, and are living self-sufficient lives. Climate action is one of UNHCR’s eight focus areas, as set in our Strategic Directions 2022-2026. Accelerating our work in this area is more important than ever. 

In 2022, 70% of refugees and asylum seekers fled from highly climate-vulnerable countries, an increase from 56% in 2012. Climate change and conflict are increasingly interlinked. 70% of internally displaced people, 60% of stateless people and 40% of refugees live on the climate frontlines, in countries that are the most vulnerable to climatic shocks, and least ready to adapt. In order to realize this vision, UNHCR has set four inter-dependent objectives for protection, solutions, resilience and adaptation to be achieved in support of national governments, together with partners: 1- People fleeing persecution, violence and human rights violations occurring in relation to the adverse effects of climate change and disasters who need international protection are effectively protected. 2- Forcibly displaced and stateless people and their hosts have increased access to services that promote the rights-based, sustainable use of natural resources and a clean and healthy environment. 3- Forcibly displaced and stateless people and their hosts have improved physical and economic means to prepare, withstand, recover and be protected from the impacts of climate change. 4- UNHCR operates sustainably with systems in place to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

Context

In line with its Focus Area Strategic Plan for Climate Action for 2024-2030, three operations (Georgia, Mauritania and Yemen) have been included in the list of 22 priority countries for a new and differentiated approach to programming and resource mobilization for climate action. That said, the Regional Bureau for MENA (RB) seeks to support field operations by (1) informing operations on policies, initiatives and opportunities, (2) guiding operations in embracing the climate action, and (3) exploring strategic and operational partnerships with different regional or country actors to ensure forcibly displaced and stateless people are protected. To translate these objectives into action, the UN Volunteer should work on: 1- Preparedness and Mitigation: Efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change should be coupled with measures to help communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. This could include enhanced early warning systems, strengthened disaster risk reduction, enhancing data collection & analysis, and disaster preparedness and response. 2- Adaptation: Strengthening resilience and creating a social safety net can help vulnerable populations cope with the impacts of climate change, including forced displacement. Governments and international organizations should work together to develop and implement effective safety net programs, such as cash transfers, food subsidies, and insurance schemes and encourage inclusion. 3- Displacement Governance: UNHCR aims at supporting governments in the MENA region to strengthen their displacement governance frameworks, both internal and across borders, to ensure that people who are displaced due to climate change are protected and receive appropriate assistance. This could involve developing policies, building capacities, and advocating for enhancing and programs to support displaced people, including education, training, and job placement services. 4- Cooperation and Partnership: Climate change and displacement are global challenges that require regional cooperation and coordination. UNHCR will work with development actors and other GCR partners to share knowledge, resources, and best practices, and to develop a common approach to addressing the impacts of climate change on displacement. 5- Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emission: In line with the UN Secretary General’s call to make UN operations environmentally sustainable or green, the regional bureau is committed to lead by example and encourage/support country operations in their “greening the blue”. International UN Volunteers are entitled to: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 2,507.69 (subject to change in monthly Post Adjustment Modifier). • Entry lumpsum, Exit lumpsum; and Travel Allowance • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; and • Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-abroad

Task description

Under the Direct Supervision of the Senior Operations Officer, the UN Volunteer will be required to: 1- Develop climate change adaptation strategies and programs to support the bureau and the country operations. 2- Ensure that climate considerations are integrated into all aspects of UNHCR interventions in the region. 3- Conduct data collection, research and analysis on climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation measures to inform program design and implementation in country operations. 4- Support climate change mitigation efforts by developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices across country operations. 5- Coordinate with regional and national partners, as well as other stakeholders, to ensure effective collaboration on climate-related initiatives. 6- Prepare analytical and comparative reports and formulate recommendations for action by operations in the region. 7- Provide technical expertise and guidance on climate resilience to country operations.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 80

Nationality

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

 Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in in climate action, UN SGDs, and policy designs, or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level; experience with MENA region is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; 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, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in working with displaced people, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Agriculture, Crisis and emergency response, Energy and environment

Languages

English, Level: Working knowledge, Required French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in a relevant area, e.g. climate science, environmental science, energy systems and policy, sustainable studies or other relevant areas; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Competencies and values

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

 Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Location: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East. Bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Red Sea to the south and the Palestinian National Authority to the west. Weather: Jordan’s climate can be classified as semi-arid (Bsh) on the Koeppen-Geiger classification. It features a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Jordan’s location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area. January is the coldest month, with temperatures from 5°C to 10°C, and August is the hottest month at 20°C to 35°C. Daily temperatures can be quite hot, especially in the summer; on some days it can be 40°C or more, especially when a hot, dry southerly wind blows. Such winds can sometimes be very strong and can cause sandstorms. About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is often concentrated in violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months. Safety and Security: Jordan is a relatively stable country. The potentials for internal or external armed conflict are considered very unlikely in the current political environment. Peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes road blockages, do occur in Jordan, motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian cause or with the Syrian crises. Most of these events are driven by civil society unions and Islamic parties. Domestic tribal civil unrest sometimes turns violent, especially outside main cities, due to tribal disputes or socio-economic reasons. In all occasions law enforcement agencies usually manage to contain the situation rapidly. Road traffic accidents are the primary threat against UN personnel in Jordan. Poor road conditions and bad driving behaviours are the main reasons for the high rate of traffic accidents. Amman is a category A duty station with security level 1. Transportation and housing: Taxis as well as ride-hailing services (Uber and Careem) are abundant and affordable in Amman. Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Public minibuses are the most common form of public transport. They normally only leave when full, so waiting times of an hour or more are inevitable, especially in rural areas. The larger air-con buses offer a speedy and reliable service, departing according to a fixed schedule. Housing is readily available with rents for one- to two-bedroom apartments ranging between 500 and 800 JD (1 JD = 0.708 USD) depending on the location. Health Services: Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Almost all doctors (and most pharmacists) speak English; many have studied abroad. Language: The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken – especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent. Learn more about Jordan from the Ministry of Tourism’s website: https://www.mota.gov.jo/Default/En

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.

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