Location: Germany (Bonn)
Closing date: 04 Apr 2008
Job Description

The Adaptation, Technology and Science programme supports Parties in assessing and developing strategies and actions to meet their specific needs and concerns relating to adaptation and mitigation to climate change, impacts of the implementation of response measures and technology transfer. The Adaptation sub-programme aims to provide support to the negotiation process and to UNFCCC Parties on issues relating to adaptation, impacts of response measures and systematic observation.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Manager and in support of other more senior professionals, the Associate Programme Officer provides support to the work of the subprogramme, especially towards the implementation of relevant mandates of the COP, CMP and Subsidiary Bodies related to vulnerability and impacts assessments and adaptation actions. Support includes liasing with organisations active in the field of adaptation, preparing synthesis and technical reports; analyzing information for use by other staff; providing support during meetings of the COP, the CMP and their subsidiary bodies and representing the secretariat in meetings of international bodies as required.

Duties in particular:

Assist the Manager and/or other subprogramme staff members in the implementation of the adaptation work of the secretariat, by:

a) Liasing with organisations, experts, communities and the private sector active in the field of adaptation to engage them in the implementation of relevant activities under the SBSTA and the SBI.
b) Analyzing, verifying, compiling and processing relevant information submitted by Parties or relevant international organizations, NGO’s and similar institutions.
c) Preparing technical and synthesis reports on issues relating to adaptation, including in the areas of methods and tools, data and observations, climate modelling, scenarios and downscaling, climate related risks and extreme events, socio-economic information, adaptation planning and practices, research, technologies for adaptation and economic diversification.
d) Carrying out research on aspects related to impacts, vulnerability and adaptation top climate change, taking into account the experience of the disaster risk reduction and development community.
e) Ensuring that the aforementioned information is of high quality and provided in a timely manner.
Ensures that information on activities and deliverables under relevant adaptation mandates is disseminated widely to Parties, organizations, experts, communities and the private sector:
a) Preparing and updating brochures, fact sheets, newsletters and other information material on activities, deliverables and outcomes of relevant activities.
b) Updating the pages of the ATS Programme, in particular those of the subprogramme, on the official and internal web sites of the secretariat

Supports the Manager, other programme staff and Convention officials in the preparation of and during meetings of the COP, CMP and their subsidiary bodies and related workshops by:
a) Assessing different negotiation options and making relevant suggestions.
b) Preparing annotations, briefing and speaking notes.

Represent the secretariat by:
a) Liaising with technical experts, including from national governments and intergovernmental organizations, of other UN agencies, convention bodies and international organizations.
b) Attending meetings and workshops, both internal and external to the secretariat.
Performs other assignments, as required by the coordinator and the manager and programme staff.

Requirements

University degree in social, environmental or natural sciences or a related discipline.

At least three (3) years of relevant working experience of which one to two years of experience at the international level.

Fluency in English. Working knowledge of other United Nations languages desirable.

Evaluation criteria

Professionalism:
Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the area of work; good research, analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to apply judgement in the work environment; the capacity to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.

Commitment to continuous learning:
Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of information technology.

Communication:
Good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.

Technological awareness:
Ability to make effective use of required computer software and other equipment relevant to the post.

Teamwork:
Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural organization. Ability to provide effective support in relation to work conducted by colleagues.
Vacancies Contact
http://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/vacancies/items/1216.php