General
Description of assignment title
Climate Risk and Humanitarian Action Associate
Assignment country
Fiji
Duty stations
Suva
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
12/15/2026
Duration
6 months
Sustainable Development Goal
- Climate action
Host entity
UNOCHA
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Associate UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions. The OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands, based in Suva, supports Pacific Island countries and territories through humanitarian coordination, preparedness, response, information management, advocacy and humanitarian financing support.
Context
Climate change is intensifying humanitarian risks in Pacific Island countries, including through tropical cyclones, flooding, drought, coastal impacts, food and water insecurity and compound hazards. OCHA Pacific works with governments, UN partners and regional organizations to ensure that climate and disaster-risk information informs humanitarian preparedness and early action. The assignment will support analysis and practical knowledge products linking climate risk with humanitarian preparedness, coordination and response.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of an international OCHA staff member based in Suva, the Climate Risk and Humanitarian Action Associate will undertake the following tasks:
- Support research and analysis on climate-related humanitarian risks and their implications for preparedness and response in assigned Pacific Island countries and/or assigned portfolios.
- Contribute to country and regional risk profiles, briefing notes and presentations on climate-related hazards, vulnerability and potential humanitarian impacts.
- Assist in reviewing early-warning, seasonal and hazard information and translating relevant findings into humanitarian preparedness products.
- Support analysis of compound and cascading risks, including impacts on food, water, health, displacement and essential services, as relevant to OCHA's mandate.
- Contribute to consultations and workshops with governments and partners on climate-informed humanitarian preparedness and early action.
- Assist in documenting good practices, lessons learned and regional approaches at the intersection of climate risk and humanitarian action.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 - 80
Required experience
1 month
Donor priorities
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
As this assignment is funded by CYVA, specific eligibility criteria apply. Candidates must be Chinese nationals affiliated with a university participating in CYVA’s programme.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
No experience required
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor's degree in Ecology and Environmental Protection; Energy and Environment; Engineering; Sciences; Agricultural Sciences; International Relations; Political Science; or related fields
Competencies and values
- Accountability
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Commitment and Motivation
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Communication
- Integrity
- Knowledge Sharing
- Planning and Organizing
- Professionalism
- Respect for Diversity
- Self-Management
- Technological Awareness
- Working in Teams
Skills and experience
- Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in:
- climate risk, environmental science, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action or related fields
- research, policy analysis, data interpretation or international cooperation
- Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Ability to synthesize technical information for non-technical audiences
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with climate, GIS or data-analysis tools is an asset.
Area(s) of expertise
Energy, Climate change, environment, Humanitarian affairs, protection
Driving license
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
The UN Volunteer will work in the OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands based on Level 2, Kaunikula House, Flagstaff, Suva. Fiji is a middle-income country with adequate basic services, and Suva is the capital and main administrative and commercial centre. Fiji is generally a safe and welcoming country; however, normal security precautions should be observed, including awareness of petty crime and residential security. Accommodation, shops, health services, banking and local transport are available in Suva. The local currency is the Fijian Dollar (FJD).
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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