Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. The program helps countries to developing policies, leadership skills, partnership skills, institutional capacities, and to building resilience to sustainable development results. UNDP implements several projects in different areas, offering its partners technical, operational and management assistance through access to methodologies, specialized knowledge, specialized advice and a wide international network of technical cooperation. To contribute to human development, poverty reduction and the country's growth in priority areas, UNDP Brazil has a constant mission to align its services with the needs of a dynamic, multifaceted and diverse country. The projects are carried out in partnership with the Brazilian government, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society. As countries around the world seek new ways to address complex and interconnected challengesโsuch as crises, economic stagnation, inequality, and povertyโthe promotion of clean and affordable energy, the protection of the environment, and the preservation of the climate system have become central priorities. In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as a frontier knowledge organization for sustainable development within the United Nations Development System, aims to develop integrated responses to these challenges, acting as a convening platform for collective action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to multilateral and bilateral partnerships, UNDP provides countries with specialized technical services in eligibility assessment, programme/project formulation and implementation, capacity development, policy advice, advocacy, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, co-financing mobilization, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments, and knowledge management services. The UNDP Brazil Country Office is a key development partner of the Brazilian government, supporting national and subnational public and private institutions, as well as civil society, in building a more sustainable and inclusive society. This support strengthens democratic institutions, improves governance effectiveness, reduces poverty and inequality, and addresses issues related to climate change and biodiversity. In line with the 2024โ2027 Country Programme Document (CPD) and the priorities of the SDGs, UNDP Brazilโs programme portfolio is organized into three mutually reinforcing pillars: โข Inclusive Socioeconomic Development: poverty reduction, social policies, livelihoods, publicโprivate partnerships, inclusive markets, and growth. โข Sustainable Environmental Development: nature-based solutions for development, biodiversity and climate change, sustainable production, energy efficiency, and chemical disaster risk reduction, among others. โข Governance and Justice for Development: violence prevention, justice, transparency, anti-corruption, human rights, and local capacity development.
ContextThe Sustainable Environmental Development Unit works in close coordination with other UNDP Brazil Programme teams to strengthen the project portfolio through technical and political support for the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of projects related to biodiversity, climate change, sustainable production, hazardous chemicals management, ozone layer protection, and other environmental priorities. The Brazil Climate and Ecological Transformation Investment Platform BIP is a strategic initiative led by the Brazilian government through the Ministries of Finance; Development, Industry, Trade and Services; Environment and Climate Change; and Mines and Energy, in partnership with BNDES, Bloomberg Philanthropies, GFANZ, and other international partners. The Platform seeks to mobilize capital for projects that support Brazilโs ecological transition, focusing on nature-based solutions, the bioeconomy, industry, energy, and sustainable mobility. It also aims to foster publicโprivate participation in developing projects aligned with the countryโs climate targets and to deliver priority outcomes to be presented by the Brazilian government at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (COP 30), strengthening Brazilโs international visibility and leadership in climate finance. The BIP aims to mobilize capital for projects supporting Brazilโs ecological transition, focusing on nature-based solutions, bioeconomy, industry, energy, and sustainable mobility, and fostering publicโprivate participation in projects aligned with the countryโs climate targets. This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the โBrazil Climate and Ecological Transformation Investment Platform (BIP) โ Strengthening Brazilโs climate and transition finance capacities,โ a strategic initiative. The Project Assistant will support administrative, operational, and management services for the implementation of the โBrazil Climate and Ecological Transformation Investment Platform (BIP) โ Strengthening Brazilโs Climate and Transition Finance Capacitiesโ project.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Programme Officers of the Sustainable Environmental Development Unit and the technical coordination of the BIP Secretariat at BNDES, the UN Volunteer will: I. Operational Support: โข Support and monitor the execution of strategic and operational plans for the project, including timelines, resource allocation, and monitoring mechanisms. โข Act as focal point for operational matters related to project implementation, ensuring effective communication and information alignment. โข Assist in organizing and managing administrative and financial processes, including procurement plans, budget control, payment follow-up, and partner reporting. โข Manage project documentation (letters, memos, files) in physical and cloud-based platforms (SharePoint, Teams). II. Procurement and Contracting Support: โข Assist in the preparation of terms of reference and in the review and approval process of contracted deliverables. โข Participate in training sessions to improve processes and ensure compliance with UNDP methodologies. III. Technical and Event Support: โข Support technical meetings and contribute to the preparation and validation of project outputs. โข Conduct research, compile relevant data, and draft/review sections of technical reports. โข Support the organization of events, seminars, workshops, training, and technical meetings, including related logistics. โข Prepare meeting minutes, event reports, and other written outputs, ensuring proper documentation of discussions and decisions. IV. Knowledge Management: โข Support the systematization and sharing of knowledge generated within the project. โข Contribute to the development of workflows and procedures for effective knowledge management. โข Assist in the preparation of knowledge products such as reports, publications, and assessments. โข Document lessons learned to support continuous improvement processes. V. Administrative and Data Management Support: โข Assist in managing the projectโs database, ensuring proper organization and accessibility of information. โข Participate in relevant events and exchange activities, representing the project when required.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Creativity โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organising โข Professionalism โข Self-management
Living conditions and remarksRio de Janeiro is a major city with modern infrastructure, good healthcare facilities, and international connections. The city offers a range of housing and services; usual urban safety precautions apply. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance. Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.