Programme Assistant

Mission and objectivesUNCDF’s mission is to support market development by enabling entities to access finance in high-risk environments for impactful investments by deploying financial instruments, mechanisms, and advisories. In partnership with UN entities and development partners, UNCDF operates with speed and agility to deliver scalable, blended finance solutions to drive systemic change, pave the way for commercial finance, and contribute to the SDGs

ContextThis United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UNCDF’s Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme. UNCDF leverages its strong national presence and trusted partnerships to drive inclusive and resilient development. In the Solomon Islands, UNCDF implements a broad resilience and sustainable development portfolio, including disaster risk financing and climate adaptation initiatives tailored to the local context. Within this framework, the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP) is jointly implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). PICAP’s implementation in the Solomon Islands is guided by UNCDF’s established relationships with the government and communities, ensuring national ownership and sustainability. PICAP’s objective in the Solomon Islands is to strengthen financial resilience and preparedness of vulnerable populations and economic sectors through inclusive climate and disaster risk financing instruments, such as micro and meso-level parametric insurance. This aligns with national development priorities.

Task DescriptionTo support the effective delivery of inclusive parametric insurance in the Solomon Islands under the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP), a NUNV will be placed with key national partners: Transpacific Assurance Limited (TPAL) and the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF). These positions are designed to strengthen coordination between PICAP and implementing partners, provide technical and operational support to each stakeholder, and facilitate smooth implementation of the pilot insurance scheme. The UNV will report to the PICAP Climate Risk Insurance Analyst based in the Solomon Islands and will act as a bridge between PICAP and their respective host organizations. Under the supervision of the Climate Risk Insurance Analyst, and in close collaboration with the PICAP regional team and local partners, the UNV will support the following tasks (adapted to their placement): For both TPAL and SINPF • Coordinate with stakeholders to support timely submission of project deliverables, reporting templates, and compliance documentation. • Support the design and execution of outreach activities using PICAP’s financial literacy and consumer awareness tools. • Contribute to the preparation of knowledge products, blog posts, and case studies that document the pilot experience and lessons learned. • Participate in regular coordination meetings and provide administrative support where needed. • Carry out other specific tasks assigned by the Climate Risk Insurance Analyst and the host organization. TPAL-specific tasks • Assist in operationalizing the insurance pilot, including onboarding workflows, customer queries, and backend reporting. • Support the digital quoting and claims interface, ensuring user experience feedback is documented. • Coordinate with WRMS (risk modelers) and the PICAP technical team on product refinement and pilot progress. SINPF-specific tasks • Support integration of the insurance product with the youSave and M-SELEN platforms. • Assist SINPF staff in monitoring enrolment and gender/youth disaggregated data collection. • Contribute to outreach efforts across SINPF’s provincial networks, especially targeting informal sector workers. The Climate Risk Insurance Analyst is committed to providing ongoing support to the UNV, including weekly check-ins, technical guidance, and training as needed. Academic support for university reporting requirements can also be provided upon request.

Competencies and values• Communication • Delivery • Innovation • Leadership • People Management Functional & Technical Competencies: • Demonstrates strong writing skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments. • Demonstrates drive to achieve results in a timely manner and to seek and find solutions to any problems encountered. • Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. • The ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts. • Demonstrates an intellectual curiosity and deep desire to learn. • Demonstrates a consistent commitment to proactively helping fellow members of the team.

Living conditions and remarksHoniara, the capital and largest urban centre of Solomon Islands, is situated on the northern coast of Guadalcanal. It serves as the country’s administrative, commercial, and transport hub, with the main hospital, National Referral Hospital, providing primary and some secondary care services. Additional—and often higher-quality—care is available through a handful of private clinics and NGO-supported health posts. Overall health infrastructure is developing, and serious cases are occasionally referred overseas. Accommodation in central Honiara tends to command higher rents compared with provincial towns, but standards range from modest self-contained units to more comfortable guesthouse-style apartments. Shopping options include the central market for fresh produce, and a small number of supermarket chains (e.g., Bulkshop) stocking imported staples. While there is no formal urban bus network, minibuses and taxis are the most common modes of local transport. Boat services and Solomon Airlines flights link Honiara with outlying islands and regional destinations. Volunteer Living and Working Conditions All National UN Volunteers (NUNVs) in the Solomon Islands receive a standard Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) calibrated to local living costs, intended to cover rent, food, and basic expenses. NUNVs are enrolled in a comprehensive UN-approved health, life, and disability insurance plan. They also receive a modest Settling-in Grant upon arrival, an End-of-Assignment Grant, and full travel coverage to and from Honiara. Leave entitlements include 2.5 days of personal leave per month of service, plus all official UN holidays observed locally. You can check full entitlements at the duty station here: 🔗 https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at: 🔗 https://explore.unv.org/cos