UNFCCC youth-Call for 2010 Focal Points

Call for 2010 YOUNGO Focal Points:
The deadline for completion of this form by interested Focal Point candidates is 20 January 10:00 am GMT
The focal point process has been approved, due to lack of any dissent! This means, the call for new focal points is now open. Please circulate and encourage candidates to read below thoroughly before applying, by filling out this form (also at http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG5VRDJNa1JwQkQ0UWMwaE8tbGlSYkE6MA)

*Mandate*
Focal points shall liaise with the UNFCCC secretariat on behalf of the youth constituency (YOUNGO). The main tasks of the focal points are:
- Disseminate information from the UNFCCC secretariat to the youth constituency;
- Transmit information from the constituency members to the UNFCCC secretariat;
- Promote the Code of Conduct to the youth constituency;
- Liaise with the secretariat at UNFCCC sessions;
- Identify interim Focal Point(s) who will be attending interim sessions (and make sure he or she has adequate information about existing issues)

Focal points have no decision-making or representation mandate. In cases of doubt concerning an important decision-making process, youth focal points shall abstain from making final decisions and report the issue to the constituency members for feedback and decision.

Additionally, focal points shall NOT:
- Speak to the press on behalf of the international youth caucus or constituency members;
- Be designated for caucus representative activities such as delivering statements;
- Represent the Youth constituency in a specific context (except if in relation to communication between constituency members and the UNFCCC secretariat).
- Combine it’s role with other UNFCCC related tasks (other leadership roles within YOUNGO or any particular delegation)

*Profile*
Ideally the Youth Focal Points should:
- Possess good understanding of UNFCCC processes;
- Possess good understanding of the international youth caucus and its processes;
- Possess good understanding of YOUNGO decision making processes;
- Have previous experience in communicating with the UNFCCC secretariat;
- Commit to a one year term;
- Promote the values and approaches of the Youth constituency: democratic, inclusive and representative decision-making processes, empowerment, transparency, cooperation and equity;
- Be able to attend the Conference Of Parties held during their term;
- Be able to ensure that the Focal Point role is their top priority during COP and intersessionals
- Have previous COP experience
- Be trusted and be able to build a trusting relationship with both Youth and the UNFCCC secretariat;
- Have experience in multicultural settings and interest in supporting a multicultural and international movement.

*Position*
The youth constituency within UNFCCC (YOUNGO) offers the following:
* Support from a team of committed individuals around the globe;
* The possibility to receive a stipend for COP-attendance (and interim sessions) pending availability of funds;
* A great learning opportunity and a chance to help making history.

Remember, each focal point candidate must have an accrediting organization prepared to accredit you for any COP meeting during 2010 that you are able to attend and interested in supporting you as a candidate for Focal Point. Please email Caroline (CarolineLHowe@gmail.com) to get a copy of the organizational form if you haven't received it. This form needs to be completed and returned to CarolineLHowe@gmail.com by 20 January 10:00 GMT for your candidacy as Focal Point to be valid! Thank you!

Reminder, deadline is 20 January 10:00 am GMT to fill out this form.

You are invited to join a Q&A call with UNFCCC voting youth and organizations to speak about your interest in the position and answer any questions. We will have one informational call for Q&A with candidates on either 22, 23 or 24 January. Candidates will be requested to join this call and depending on time, would be welcome to send a video expressing themselves. This call will be recorded for all youth to listen who cannot attend the call.

Voting will take place following the process outlined here:

There will be 2 voting constituencies each having 50% of the votes, with all voting taking place before 31 January at 12:00 noon GMT.

The first one consists of organisations active in YOUNGO and the UNFCCC process, including youth-led organizations that are UNFCCC-accredited, that are in the application process for UNFCCC accreditation, or have expressed an interest to become UNFCCC-accredited
The second one consists of individuals committed to action on climate change and interested in the UNFCCC process, originating from the main unfccc-youth list though open to any youth who truly wants a say in the Focal Point vote
Each individual will have to identify as from a certain region; if any region is not represented after one week with more than 5 percent of the total vote, the voting is reopened for individuals from those particular regions for an extra week.
Each individual and each organization will have the right to place a vote for one candidate from the Global North candidate and one candidate from the Global South.
One candidate from the Global South with highest number of votes received (within the candidates from the South) and one candidate from the Global North with highest number of votes received (within the candidates from the South) will be selected as the two focal points. By 10 February at the latest, they will decide which one will be the Primary Focal Point.
Reminder, deadline for completing this form to be a candidate for YOUNGO Focal Point is 20 January 10:00 am GMT to fill out this form. If you have any questions about the process, about the youth constituency or the role of the Focal Points please feel free to contact Caroline at CarolineLHowe@gmail.com and/or ben.vanpeperstraete@youthforum.org

Good luck!!