Youth Engagement and Climate Programme Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

Who we are
UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), with 24 Country Offices covering work in 36 countries and decades of experience in the region, is a trusted adviser and a ‘de-velopment partner’ of choice for governments across the region in supporting the localization and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What we do
We help our partners in identifying relevant solutions to today’s complex, trans-boundary de-velopment challenges. We support them to design and implement large scale development initiatives that deliver lasting social, economic and environmental improvements in countries across the region.
Our support to governments, civil society, the private sector and communities is at every level of their organization: we provide legislative and regulatory advice that transforms governance systems; we provide capacity building and trainings that build nations; and we organize em-ployment schemes that bring jobs to the most vulnerable groups.
For every project, we provide our partners with a team of experts who link local challenges to national, regional and global knowledge and resources.
Guided by UNDP’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan, advisory and implementation work focuses on the following areas:
• Structural Transformation
• Leaving No-one Behind
• Building Resilience
In addition to these areas of focus which reflect regional developmental priorities, we emphasize gender, climate change, social protection and inclusive growth, in all aspects of our work.
Recognizing the complexity of development challenges, increasing advances in technology in the region, as well as the call for a data revolution, we have been investing in innovation, using approaches such as design thinking and foresight tools such as games, mobile applications, and big data to challenge business as usual and develop the next generation of development solutions.

Context

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the important role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and calls for action against the challenges faced by young people that limits their economic, social and political inclusion. Today, young people are more connected, more creative, more informed and more persuasive than any previous generation. Young people are responding to the challenges of today with innovative approaches, contributing fresh ideas, creating the world they want, and driving human development for themselves, their communities and their societies. But at the same time, due to COVID-19 pandemic and other socio-political challenges, many young people are at the risk of economic insecurity. In addition, many young people are left out of decision-making processes, which further contributes to their marginalization and exclusion.
Civic Engagement under Youth Empowerment Portfolio for Asia-Pacific (YEP-AP)
With above context, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), launched Regional Youth Empowerment Portfolio capturing key pillars of programming such as Youth Entrepreneurship, Youth and Climate Action, Youth and 21st century Skills and Youth Civic engagement with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a cross cutting agenda across the portfolio. The University UNV will work as part of the Regional Youth Unit, particularly supporting youth engagement in climate action activities implemented by the project.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement of young people across the Asia-Pacific region calling for urgent action on the climate agenda. Through climate strikes and effective use of media, young people have been calling for governments and other relevant stakeholders to take collective action on climate change. However, young people are often marginalized and excluded from the decision-making processes that will shape their futures. 
 
In 2020, the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) was established by UNDP Asia-Pacific and UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia-Pacific, RCC Bangkok, in collaboration with UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF South Asia, British Council, YOUNGO, Movers Programme and 2030 Youth Force as a safe and inclusive space for youth across Asia and the Pacific to meaningfully engage in climate action. 
 
YECAP is providing an opportunity for a motivated youth volunteer to contribute to the field of climate change. This assignment offers valuable learning and development experiences, which contribute to the volunteer’s personal and professional growth while making a meaningful impact on climate action initiatives and helping in the achievement of SDG 13. 

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist – Civil Society and Youth, the UN University Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Provide coordination support for YECAP initiatives
2. Assist in developing communication materials and other outputs to effectively disseminate the outcomes of YECAP to target audiences at regional and national levels.
3. Support the formulation of partnerships strategy and mobilize resources in order to deliver on YECAP’s objectives.
4. Support UNDP country offices under the Regional Youth Programme and Climate Promise in the development, delivery and review of youth empowerment in climate actions initiatives at the national level to support programme objectives.
5. Support the event activities of Regional Dialogue on Youth Empowerment in Climate Actions 2024
6. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
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.