General
Description of assignment title: Support on Foresight for Climate and Demographic Change in Malaysia
Assignment country: Malaysia
Expected start date: Invalid Date
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
For how many hours per week will the volunteer be required?
6 – 10
Host entity: UNDP Malaysia
Type: Online
Duration: 12 weeks
Number of assignments: 1
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP Malaysia is committed to assist Malaysia and its people in establishing sustainable pathways to development and achieving its ambition of becoming a developed nation. We support efforts towards the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. Globally, UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:
- Sustainable development
- Democratic governance and peacebuilding
- Climate and disaster resilience In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.
Context
The UNDP Malaysia Country Office is developing a report on governance in Malaysia’s climate and demographic transition. The IPCC has warned that global warming will hit 1.5 °C by 2040 even in a best-case scenario. Meanwhile, the percentage of Malaysia’s over-65 population is expected to nearly double from the present 7.3% to 14.5% by 2040. Climate change, demographic change, and efforts to respond to these trends will create a confluence of social and economic effects with wide-ranging effects, including labour markets and the wellbeing of aging populations. The report will utilize foresight approaches, including (1) horizon scanning, i.e., identification and analysis of current and emerging trends connected with climate and demographic change; and (2) exploration of the interactions of these trends through development of scenarios. These scenarios will then be used to assess the governance infrastructure needed to manage, avert, and/or leverage a range of possible futures. To that end, UNDP is seeking an Online Volunteer to support on desk research and scenario building for this project.
Task description
The Online Volunteer will support the development of a foresight report, on climate change and demographic change in Malaysia, looking toward how these trends will intersect in a variety of social economic arenas and shape governance needs by 2040. The Online Volunteer will provide support through desktop research on aging and retirement in Malaysia, working with a team to synthesize their findings with other drivers of climate and demographic change, and support development of scenarios.
Requirements
Required experience
1. Ability to perform desk research, including synthesizing disparate and event contradictory information. 2. Understanding of climate and aging issues in Malaysia 3. Prior experience with horizon scanning or other foresight activities.
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Other information
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.
