Project Assistant, Harare, Zimbabwe

Closing date: Tuesday, 14 June 2016

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Education & Work Experience: C-HS Graduate or Equivalent - 5 year(s) experience

GP

Vacancy Type

National Regular UN Volunteer

Posting Type

External

Bureau: Africa

Contract Duration: 24 months

Only open to Zimbabwe nationals

Background

The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a five year project 'Supporting Enhanced Climate Action' from April 2016 to December 2020.

Zimbabwe, like many other developing countries experiences unprecedented impacts of climate change and climate variability with much of the impacts being felt on the most vulnerable poor communities, women and children. With an economy founded on sectors vulnerable to climatic changes namely agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism, and industry, among others, the impacts from climate change have a significant effect on access to food, water, health, settlements and energy. Existing climate data reveals a worsening scenario if significant action is not taken.

The past few years have shown that climate change is altering the face of disaster risk and is adding to the complexity of disaster risk management. Zimbabwe has experienced a number of disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones, storms and landslides and is at increasing risk due to climate change. Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in disaster risk management including insufficient disaster information and communication as well as a lack of integrated information management system for capturing and communicating climate risks, losses and impacts. In addition, in order to enhance preparedness at the district and community levels, climate sensitive disaster risk management plans needs to be in place particularly for infrastructure design and human settlements planning.

The above challenges reinforce the need to establish coherence between disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation and gender sensitivity in the planning of development interventions.

In recognition of the need to promote a climate resilient society, a joint programme has been prepared by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, through its Ministry of Environment Water and Climate and Civil Protection Department and other partners. The programme aims to support the Government in pursuing an enhanced transformative climate response trajectory, through scaling up climate adaptation and mitigation actions, supporting gender sensitive DRM planning and implementation, and providing support for the Government to meet their obligations under the global frameworks.

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