UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT
Preamble:
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism tosupport peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature ofdevelopment and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peaceand development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism
into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing andsupport within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism
and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging involunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, aswell as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make thetime they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
1. UNV Assignment Title:

Assistant to Climate Change Program

2. Type of Assignment:International UN Volunteer

3. UNV Programme Strategy: Capacity of UNV HQ staff, Field Units, volunteers and partners
in the field strengthened
4. Project Title:

Support to the Climate Change Programme

5. Duration:

24 months

6. Location, Country:

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

7. Expected Starting Date:

January 2013

8. Brief Project Description:
Parties to the Convention must submit national reports on implementation of the Convention to theConference of the Parties (COP). The core elements of the national communications for both Annex I andnon-Annex I Parties are information on emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and detailsof the activities a Party has undertaken to implement the Convention. National communications usuallycontain information on national circumstances, vulnerability assessment, financial resources and transferof technology, and education, training and public awareness. Honduras has already submitted its Second
National Communication to the UNFCCC and now is working on the elaboration of its Third National
Communication proposal. The National Climate Change Office under the Minister of Environment is thefocal point and the one responsible for elaborating and submitting this proposal together with the UNDP.
9. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP Honduras
10. Organizational Context: UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change andconnecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP ison the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and nationaldevelopment challenges. UNDP in Honduras promotes and supports policies, dialogue, consensus andinclusive processes to strengthen democratic governance for achieving sustainable human development
and the MDGs from the perspective of equity and participatory democracy.
11. Type of Assignment Place: with family

12. Description of tasks:
Under the direct supervision of Environment and Risk Management Unit Coordinator and the overall
guidance of the Climate Change Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following
tasks:
Support in the management information and monitoring of programs and project portfolio.
Interact and participate in technical meetings with stakeholders involved with climate change andenergy aspects in the Country such as the Energy Ministry, the Environment Ministry, DNAs, DOEs,relevant NGOs, the private sector and the University.
Assist the Government of Honduras and other key counterparts in the promotion of low carbon
policies and activities, including, but not limited to, the promotion of clean energy generation, energy
demand, carbon finance activities, sustainable transport and activities linked with the reduction of thedeforestation rate in the Country.
Assist in the elaboration of new proposals focused on low-carbon emission climate-resilient
development strategies.
Review and organize all documentation related to energy
Search new access to funds and establish liaisons with donors. Fund raising

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged 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 markIVD);
Discussing with supervisors on how volunteerism for development can be mainstreamed through theassignment and integrating activities that promote volunteerism for development into work plans.
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 technicallypossible.

13. Results/Expected Output:Support the achievement of the established goals of the Environment and Risk Management Unit.
Contribute to implement a low-carbon emission climate-resilient development strategy in thecountry.
Encouraging, mobilizing and supporting co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of thelocal community to play an active part in development on a voluntary basis;
Initiating and/or participating in local volunteer groups;
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, suchas reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

14. Qualifications/Requirements:
Bachelor of Engineering or Environmental Sciences
Master degree on Climate Change, Development or Renewable Energies will be and asset
Experience in writing documents
Ability to take initiative and ownership, but working within a team.
Past volunteering experience will be an assetProficiency both in Spanish and English (speaking, reading and writing)Work in computer systems in windows environment
Good interpersonal skills and commitment towards the UN Core Values
Previous experience as volunteer will be an asset.

15. Living Conditions:
Honduras is a tropical country in the middle of Central America, bordered to the north with to Caribbean
Sea, to the south with El Salvador, to the west with Guatemala and to the East with NicaraguaClimate
varies significantly depending on altitude. Mid-altitude temperatures are fairly moderate with regularsunshine making temperatures climb from 15-20° C (59-68° F) to up around 28°C (low 82° F) during themiddle of the day. Rainfall is quite low to moderate with a patchy wet season from May to October. Lowland and coastal regions experience less of a temperature range with warmer nights and slightly lessrainfall.The threat against UN system staff members from political activity is considered low. The threat
from common criminal elements is considered highly critical in certain areas of the country. Violent crime isa serious and growing problem, especially in certain zones of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and to aless degree throughout the country. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities attourist sites, especially in pats of Comayaguela and the central market surroundings of Tegucigalpa. Visits
to these areas should be avoided, especially after dark. Highway, road and street robberies, car jacking
and assaults of pedestrians by armed thieves are still high. Roadblocks and demonstrations on the mainhighways and border countries customs offices have decreased. In the past, demonstrations have ended
in street violence, requiring intervention by national police for which precaution is requested. Threatsagainst the public transportation system by gangs have been reported in San Pedro Sula, supposedlyrelated to Organized Crime, for which caution should be maintained at all times on the street.
Visitors are specially advised to protect against mosquitoes bites in affected areas, due to insect – borne
diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever (both serious, potentially fatal diseases). In generalmosquitoes in Honduras are most bothersome from dusk to dawn, especially in the countryside. Other
infectious diseases are common such as Diarrhoea, Amoebic and food. Some specific health cares must
be considered especially hygienic practices avoid eating in places where cleaning is not ensured and pay
special attention to the hygiene of fruits and vegetables, wash fruits and vegetables carefully if you eat
them raw or peel them before eating.
16. Conditions of Service
A 24-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) equivalent to US $1903; settling-in-grant (ifapplicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement
allowance for satisfactory service.
Description of Assignment prepared byEnvironment Unit Coordinator
UNDP
Date: 17/07/12

Description of Allocation approved by the Resident Representative / Country Director of UNDP or
the UNV Country Office / Office Support:
Programme Officer
UNV Honduras
Date: 17/07/12