Mission and objectives
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan, focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA has been operating in India since 1974.Context
Odisha, with its long coastline, is among India’s most disaster-prone states, recurrently affected by cyclones, floods, heatwaves and periods of drought. Climate change is further intensifying and diversifying these risks which intersect with existing socio-economic and demographic vulnerabilities, resulting in differentiated and often compounded impacts on women and girls, children and adolescents, older persons, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other marginalised groups. Inequalities in access to resources, mobility, information, decision-making and essential services can further heighten vulnerability during emergencies and recovery. At the same time, climate and disaster risks interact with wider demographic and social transitions, including migration, urbanisation, changing household structures, care responsibilities and livelihoods, with implications for health, wellbeing, protection and community resilience. Recognising these interlinkages, UNFPA Odisha has been working to strengthen the integration of gender equality, social inclusion and population perspectives within disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts. A key partnership in this area has been with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), through which UNFPA has supported the institutionalisation of gender-transformative approaches to DRR. An important component of this engagement is the strengthening of a Gender and Inclusion Cell within the DRR ecosystem. The Cell supports policy review and alignment to integrate gender and social inclusion across DRR frameworks and processes; strengthens systems for the generation and use of disaggregated data to better identify differential vulnerabilities; supports capacity building of relevant stakeholders; and contributes to strengthening community resilience through more inclusive and responsive DRR approaches. Together, these efforts seek to ensure that disaster and climate resilience is people-centred, rights-based and responsive to intersecting vulnerabilities. Building on this experience, there is an opportunity to further document and strengthen the evidence base around gender, population dynamics, demographic change, climate vulnerability and resilience. The National UN Associate Volunteer will support the UNFPA Odisha State Office through preliminary research, desk review, data and evidence compilation, documentation, stakeholder mapping and preparation of basic knowledge products. The Volunteer will also assist the team in preparing inputs for concept notes and proposals and in documenting good practices emerging from Odisha. The Volunteer will work as part of the UNFPA Odisha team and support engagement with OSDMA, relevant Government departments, UN agencies, development partners, academic and research institutions and civil society organisations.Task Description
Competencies and values
Living conditions and remarks
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha State is the largest town and headquarters of Khordha district and Odisha State. Located in the eastern coastal plains, along the axis of the Eastern Ghats mountains, the city has an average altitude of 45 m (148 ft) above sea level. It lies southwest of the Mahanadi River which forms the northern boundary of the Bhubaneswar metropolitan area, within its delta. It has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million people. Bhubaneswar is supposed to have had over one thousand temples, earning the tag of the 'Temple City of India'. An administrative and educational centre of Odisha, it is well connected by railway and road. Bhubaneswar is an ancient city with a rich cultural heritage. Although the modern city of Bhubaneswar was formally established in 1948, the history of the areas in and around the present-day city can be traced to the 7th century BCE and earlier. It is a confluence of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain heritage and includes several Kalingan temples, many of them from the 6th–13th century CE. With Puri and Konark it forms the 'Swarna Tribhuja' ("Golden Triangle"), one of Eastern India's most visited destinations. The weather is moderate. Summer nights tend to get pleasant and not remain hot. It is well connected by flights from major international airports in the country. Medical facilities, banking facilities, communications, and infrastructure are good. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions. You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator . For information specific to your assignment, please see below:We review listings for quality, but organizations may update or amend a posting at any time, so confirm the role and closing date on the organization’s official site before applying. No genuine employer charges a fee to apply, interview, or process an application — treat any request for payment as a scam. If a detail looks wrong or the posting seems fraudulent, report this job.
