Open call – HoSC UNFCCC (Closed)

Dear IFSA Family,

Would you like to become involved with what happens in IFSA? A new opportunity is here. The official position for the Head of the UNFCCC Sub-Commission is open for the term 2022/2023! 

We are in search of an enthusiastic and self-motivated Head of Sub-Commission who will serve IFSA in the International Processes Commission. Applicants should be a member of an IFSA Local Committee. 

Background

The task of this job is to give IFSA members the opportunity to better understand the processes in UN Climate.

The job of the Head of Sub-Commission UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) can be very diverse. On the one hand, you will have some administrative tasks when it comes to announcing UNFCCC meetings, registering delegations, writing reports, etc. On the other hand, you get the chance to be part of an exciting commission (IPC) in a large international organization, where you can broaden your horizons by attending UNFCCC meetings. The position involves a lot of content-related work when prepping delegations or searching for youth involvement opportunities related to climate change.

IFSA’s status as a UNFCCC-admitted NGO enables IFSA members to attend meetings of the UNFCCC bodies as part of an IFSA delegation. The highlight of the year is the annual Conference of Parties (COP), which is the supreme decision-making body of the convention. The time before COP is the most hectic but exciting time of your term of office, as you will be responsible for selecting and organizing the IFSA delegation and maintaining contact with the UNFCCC. Beyond COP, there are regional climate weeks, and the annual Bonn Climate Change Conference and IFSA attendance will also be your responsibility.

The rest of the year will be what you choose to make out of it. Besides following or attending smaller UNFCCC conferences and meetings, you can search for ways of educating young foresters about the UN-Climate Process or do a lot of strategic and content-related work within the IPC. You really can be creative!

Duties and responsibilities

  • Act as IFSA’s focal point regarding all UNFCCC related matters
  • Work closely with the International Policy Commission (IPC) of IFSA and participate in monthly meetings, encourage teamwork, and leverage synergies within IFSA and between IFSA and the respective partner organizations
  • Mainstream key topics of UN Climate in IFSA
  • Organize delegations for UNFCCC events (COP, Bonn Climate Change Conference, Regional Climate Weeks, etc.) 
  • Keep in contact with the youth constituency YOUNGO and participate in their events

Skills and Knowledge

The following skills and knowledge are required for this role:

  • Good knowledge of UNFCCC and its activities
  • Strong English competency in both verbal and written form
  • Leadership and collaboration skills
  • Strong communication skills
  • Good understanding of the international climate policy landscape and the United Nations in general
  • Passion to lead diverse delegations and educating the IFSA membership
  • Creativity and proactiveness

Estimated workload

  • ~2-5 hours per week, 5-15 hours per week leading up to COP and other major events

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for an IFSA Official position, you first need to ensure that you comply with the requirements.

There is no deadline for the application, as this is a rolling open call. This means that applications will be considered as they are received, and if we receive an application that we consider to be the best fit for the position, we will appoint that applicant. It is in your interest to apply as soon as possible.

Requirements

In order to apply for an official position, you MUST comply with the requirements:

  • You need to be a member of an IFSA Local Committee and either be an active student or have graduated no longer than one year ago.
  • Proficiency in English, as it is the official language of IFSA and, therefore, the only means of communication between Officials.
  • Good internet connection: given the fact that all the work as an Official is done remotely (especially because of the travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19), a good internet connection is crucial to effectively accomplish your tasks.
  • Access to a Computer or tablet.

Motivation letter

The motivation letter should cover all the following points and be no longer than 800 words. Note that these points correspond to the criteria that are used to evaluate the motivation letter.

  • What is your background?
    • Introduction: name, age, country, university, current studies
    • LC of membership
  • What is your previous experience in IFSA at the international level (participation and/or organization of IFSA international meetings, IFSA partner events, commissioner of official position)?
  • What is your previous experience in IFSA at the regional and local level (participation and/or organization of regional events, activity in your own LC, position held in your own LC)? [Only relevant for Regional Representatives or applicants without international experience]
  • Why are you interested in applying for this position?
  • What is your understanding of the position you are running for?
    • Role of the position
    • Tasks of the position
    • Functioning of the position within the Department/Commission
  • What are your overall plans for the IFSA term?
  • Consideration of required skills
  • Optional Work plan for the term

Video

Record a video (max. 2 minutes) where you introduce yourself and present the main points from the motivation letter.

Some tips for the video:

  • If the video is longer than 2 minutes, just shorten it by talking about the key points from your letter; the other points are covered by the letter;
  • Ensure good lighting
  • Make sure the sound is clear and has good volume, so the video is easy to understand (no background noise/music)

IFSA Membership verification

The IFSA membership needs to be verified in order to apply for an official position.

You should use one of the following systems:

  • Member verification on the website (Suggested). This is the suggested method of verification. In order to be verified on the website, you need to have an account on the IFSA website and be verified by your LC for the current IFSA term. For all information, check https://ifsa.net/how-to-register. You don’t have to take other steps if you are verified on the website.
  • LC Verification letter. A verification letter from your Local Committee (LC) signed by the President of your LC, verifying that you are a member of the LC in PDF format. If you are the President of your LC, ask the Vice President to sign it. The headed letter of your LC must be used for the letter. Here you can find a template for the verification letter.

Application procedure

In order to apply, you need to fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZsAxwyhX7QRYbrjq7

The application form includes

  • Personal information
  • The motivation letter in PDF format (max 800 words).
  • A video (max 2 minutes)
  • IFSA membership verification

There is no deadline for the application, as this is a rolling open call.

Applications that do not follow this procedure (e.g., late, incomplete, or not sent through the form) will not be considered.

In case of technical issues with the submission of the application, please send an email to opencall@ifsa.net specifying the problem that you are encountering.

Both successful and unsuccessful applications will receive an answer within 10 days after the deadline. In this timeframe, candidates may be contacted for an online interview.

Good luck with your application,

The IFSA Board