VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Terms of Reference
GENERAL INFORMATION
Title: Volunteer
Sector: Natural Sciences
Location: Hanoi – Vietnam
Duration: 3 to 6 months (July-December 2023)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The UNESCO Country Office in Viet Nam coordinates international cooperation in the Organization’s key strategic action areas (education, sciences, culture, communication and information). As the only UN agency with the mandate in sciences, the Natural Sciences Programme focuses on mobilizing scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of natural resources, through generating science-based solutions and improving institutional capacity in sustainable natural resource management and leveraging UNESCO-designated sites in Viet Nam as the platforms for change and innovation. The programme provides capacity development related to freshwater, marine, earth and basic sciences while also supports the use of innovative technology in these fields. In Viet Nam, UNESCO’s Natural Sciences programme will strengthen the role and potential of the Man and the Biosphere Reserve programme (MAB), along with other UNESCO affiliated sites and their associated networks, as the pilot sites (i) for researches on climate change mitigation and adaptation, along with green and blue economies, and (ii) for collaboration with other innovative international environmental initiatives. Further, UNESCO will promote nature-based solutions and best practices for natural resource use and ecosystem management in order to strengthen the interface between science, policy and society at national and local levels. The inclusion of women and youth in sciences remains a cross cutting issue to be mainstreamed where appropriate.
UNESCO and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) are working closely with other partners to implement the Youth and Innovation for Ocean Initiative. The initiative aims to enhance public awareness and foster social inclusion by mobilizing youth and young professionals on plastic and solid waste collection, promoting recycling and reusing at UNESCO-designated sites in Viet Nam, contributing to sustainable development of UNESCO-designated sites as the learning sites for green and inclusive development. Specifically, the project supports UNESCO World Man and Biosphere Reserves and the coastal communities in Viet Nam to combat plastic waste by empowering youth and young professionals to put forward innovative and practical solutions in the areas of collecting, sorting, treating, reducing, reusing, recycling, repairing, rethinking, and refusing– all fostering sustainable and green growth in the country.
SUPERVISION
Direct supervision by: the National Professional Officer for Natural Sciences
The incumbent is under the direct supervision of National Professional Officer for Natural Science Unit.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The incumbent will provide assistance as an online part-time based position to the implementation of activities within Natural Science Sector. S/he will perform the following duties:
Provide assistance in desk reviewing, searching information and data, case studies in the field of natural resources management;
Provide assistance in translating for the related documents of the Natural Science programme into Vietnamese and vice versa;
Support in developing the contents for communication materials on social media channel UNESCO Ha Noi office’s Facebook Fanpage (web stories, press release, Facebook posts etc.) of the project, with guidance from project manager and Communication Officer;
Arrange administrative supports for organizing project events, workshops and activities;
Support to collect case stories, photos, short films within the framework of the Youth for Zero Waste project for documentation purposes;
Provide assistance in taking notes in meetings and prepareing meeting minutes as required
Perform other tasks assigned by supervisor as deemed appropriate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Nationality: Vietnamese nationality with age ranges from 20 to 35 years old.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Natural Sciences, Natural resources management, Environment Studies, Development studies, Social and Human Sciences, or any related fields. Final year student would be considered.
Work experience: Experience working in development area and youth engagement is a plus.
Competencies and skills:
Ability to use Photoshop, Canvas, Adobe and other media design related software would be an asset.
Knowledge on Natural Science/Development field is an asset;
Ability to assist with data collection using various methods including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases;
Commitment to team work;
Strong interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills;
Highly organized and self-motivated;
Openness to interdisciplinary approaches is highly desirable.
Computer skills: Proficiency in the use of computers and in office software and packages. Knowledge of infographic design, remote sensing and GIS, hydrological software or design would be an asset.
Languages: An excellent command written and spoken Vietnamese and English is required.
For more information, please consult http://www.unesco.org/new/en/hanoi
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS …
The place of work will be arranged combining the online and working at the UNESCO office in Hanoi, subject to the discussion with the incumbent and the actual conditions.
Thematic technical capacity:
The volunteer will be trained in natural resources conservation and management, youth development and the roles of natural sciences and its contribution in the sustainable development agenda, UNESCO’s mandate and contribution in the overall UN development framework.
Skills building:
The volunteer will be trained in organizational management, teamwork, communications skills in a professional and multicultural working environment of a UN organization”
Please note that there is no allowance for the position. The volunteer will have opportunities to work in international environment and gain a certificate upon completion the volunteer period.
How to apply: Please send a cover letter and your resume to kv.dao@unesco.org and tl.nguyen@unesco.org before 10:00 Monday 12/6/2023.