Mission and objectivesCabo Verde became the first pilot Joint Office (JO) of the Ex-Com agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and WFP) on 1 January 2006. This was a major step in the UN reform towards the harmonization and simplification of UN activities in small countries. The Joint Office model consists of a single UN office of the participating agencies, led by one representative who equally represents all the participating agencies. The JO has one organizational structure and a single program/common country program encompassing the activities and mandates of all participating agencies, and uses one set of business processes, rules, and regulations under a โsupport agencyโ. Since 2010, with the discontinuation of WFP Office in Cabo Verde, following the graduation to a Middle-Income Country in 2008 , the Joint Office is now comprised of three agencies - UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF.
ContextCabo Verde offers a unique setup. In 2006, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF joined forces and created a Joint Office to harmonize and streamline the activities of the UN agencies, funds and programs in the country. The Joint Office builds on the mandates of the three agencies and combines their strengths. It implements one Common Country Program with one budget under the direction of a Joint Resident Representative who is accredited on behalf of the three agencies. Thus, the Joint Office offers fully integrated support to the Government of Cabo Verde. In the Joint Office, a future UNV will thus get hands-on experience with three important UN agencies and actively support programmatic UN integration which goes beyond the ambition of the current reform of the UN development system. The JO has one organizational structure and a single programme/common country programme encompassing the activities and mandates of all participating agencies, and uses one set of business processes, rules and regulations under a โsupport agencyโ arrangement. In Cabo Verde, UNDP systems are used. The Joint Office is the leading entity in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 which is fully aligned with the National Sustainable Development Plan and with Agenda 2030. A joint UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF Common Country Programme Document (CCPD) for 2023-2027, is based on four results areas aligned with SDGs (People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace), with a strong focus on building systems and partnerships for SDG implementation in the country, leading to the need for innovative, creative and integrated solutions both on programme and operations. The Energy, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio is responsible for management of environment and climate action projects for the Joint Office programme. The environment Portfolioโs priority is to ensure sustainable management of natural resources, and programme priorities cover renewable energy and energy efficiency, environment management, WASH, disaster risk reduction strategy and resilience building, reporting on Nationally Determined Contributions, climate change adaptation & mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. The programme aims to strengthen the institutional capacities at local, municipal and national levels to manage and utilize natural resources in a sustainable manner, and to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity to long-term climate change risks and to reduce the associated risks and impacts of natural disasters, particularly those related to the countryโs status as a small island developing state (SIDS).
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the National Directorate of Environment, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Provide on-going support to the project coordinating unit for adaptive management, best practice assessment and implementation. - Enable the project to maintain strategic direction during implementation by helping project management to remain focused on overall results in addition to the day-to-day implementation concerns of supporting project implementation on national level. - Emphasize a learning and adaptive approach to project management and implementation. The Technical Advisor (TA) will be expected to provide reasonable continuous support to the PM by electronic communication when not directly engaged on the project. The TA will be recruited by UNDP and will work closely with the National Project Coordinator (NPC). - Lead on the development of annual workplans for Outcome 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1 activities. - Evaluate implementation progress and provide technical guidance to project teams to ensure consistency with project plans, intended outcomes and gender, stakeholder engagement and safeguards requirements. - Provide technical review and quality assurance of project technical and progress reports for Outcome 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 3.1. - Facilitate partnership development for the development of the new National Plan for Management of the PA Network with key government agencies, NGOs, private sector bodies and projects in order to achieve synergistic benefits and strengthen sustainability of outcomes. - Support the organizational working group led by DNA to develop the vision, objectives, principles, scope and concept for the national plan. - Support the legal working group led by MAA/DNA to ensure strong correlation with the parallel process for development of the National Masterplan for Management of the PA Network, and coordination with related legislation and policy objectives. - Support the capacity development leading group within DNA/MAA to elaborate the projectโs capacity development strategy for DNA, MAA Delegations, Municipalities and other key actors for the national protected area network and biodiversity governance more generally. - Provide technical inputs to detailed training and institutional capacity development plans. - Provide technical advice on biodiversity governance strategy for detailed implementation planning, technical review meetings and workshops. - Identify best practices and lessons learned, and provide technical articles related to Outcome 1.1 for project knowledge management platforms.
Competencies and valuesAdaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Empowering Others Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Leadership Managing Performance Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Vision Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksThe assignment will take place in the capital, Praia (Santiago Island). The living conditions in Praia are good, as well as the access to health services. The level of tropical diseases is very low. There are currently no required vaccines at the entrance to Cabo Verde, unless one comes from West Africa. However, immunization against yellow fever, tetanus and polio, as well as hepatitis A, is recommended. Cabo Verde has social and political stability since independence, and there are no major security issues. Cabo Verde is located on GMT -1. Due to its geographical location, in front of the Sahel Belt, Cabo Verde has an arid and semi-arid, hot and dry climate with scarce rainfall and an average annual temperature of 25ยบC (77ยบF). The rainy season usually starts in mid-July and ends in late October. The total population of Cabo Verde is about 491 875 (Census 2010). Roughly one quarter of the population lives in the capital, Praia. Portuguese is the official language of the country, but informal conversations are held in Kriolu. The currency used in Cabo Verde is called: Escudo Cabo-verdiano (1 EUR = 110,265 CVE). The Cabo Verdean escudo is not changed in several countries. Cabo Verde holds high prices for housing, food and fuel, for the country imports approximately 80% of food needs and consumer goods. International credit cards (VISA) are accepted in some shops. It is also possible to withdraw money with an international card in some banks/ ATM. Housing conditions in Praia may vary greatly. It is possible to rent fully furnished apartments / houses in safe areas from 400โฌ to 1000โฌ, and unfurnished apartments from 250โฌ and 500โฌ. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private accommodation, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Meals at restaurants near the UN Office cost between 2,5โฌ and 15โฌ. The country faces serious difficulties in meeting the growing demand for water and electricity, and water and electricity shortages may occur. Cabo Verde benefits from an effective telephone system, cellular service and regular Internet access. Portuguese public TV and radio for Africa and Radio France International are relayed across Cabo Verde, there is an active press and local newspapers are also available online. A valid passport and visa are required to enter Cabo Verde. The visa (valid for 6 months maximum) can be obtained in your country of origin at the Embassy or Consulate of Cabo Verde or directly at the airport in Praia (valid for 3 months) upon arrival. The UNV Field Unit will book temporary accommodation for the first nights at UN Volunteer expenses, which can be extended or not at UN Volunteer discretion until getting a permanent accommodation.