UN University Volunteer in Programme Support (Climate Action)

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF TJK organization mission TBD

Context

Tajikistan has historically been affected by climate shocks and stresses of distinct nature, intensity, and range. Flooding, drought, mudflows, landslides, and avalanches are some examples of climate related episodes that have a strong impact across multiple economic and social sectors – affecting almost all regions and the general population. Tajikistan is recognized as vulnerable to climate change impacts due to its particularly high dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and the country’s low adaptive capacity. As a result, families face loss of livelihoods, children face disruption of education and limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition, and child protection services. Moreover, environmental degradation and climate change exacerbate the occurrence and impact of natural hazards.
According to the National Children’s Climate Risk Index, Tajikistan has a risk level of 5.4, highest in Central Asia. Tajikistan also has the highest risk score (7.6) for droughts in Europe and Central Asia region (ECAR). It is also highly exposed to a range of other climate hazards, including heatwaves, as well as environmental and man-made hazards such as conflict. According to the Climate Risk Index, 1.6 million children at high risk of climate, and the highest in ECAR (calculated as a combination of shocks and child vulnerability). According to estimates, economic losses from weather-related disasters vary from 0.4 to 1.3 percent of Tajikistan’s GDP per annum.
Over the last year, UNICEF Tajikistan (TCO) has started the mainstreaming of Climate and Environment related issues across its programmatic interventions, fully in line with the recently launched UNICEF Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030. A Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) and the Children’s Climate Risk Index -Disaster Risk Model initiative (CCRI-DRM) are currently being undertaking in Tajikistan to help identify the country needs and priorities that can be included in the Government’s and UNICEF’s strategies and plans across sectors. These initiatives will also assist with prioritization and planning for risk mitigation and adaptation – as well as inform preparedness and investment priorities.
To continue moving with these efforts, UNICEF Tajikistan is looking for a Programme Officer (Climate Action) to provide support to new and ongoing climate and environment related activities, including but not limited to CLAC and CCRI. She/he will also support the process of the development of the TCO’s Climate, Energy, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED) Strategy based on the priority issues affecting children, adolescents, and women in Tajikistan, and in line with global and regional UNICEF Strategic Plan, and CEED priorities.

Task description

The UN Volunteer will report to the Emergency Specialist, who is currently the primary focal point for climate action and will work closely with the CEED Task Team members. The intern will prioritize tasks and organizes work independently based on general direction from the supervisor based on the following tasks:
 Support the coordination of the TCO’s CEED Task Team, including convening monthly meetings and the development of the 2024 CEED-related workplan.
 Support UNICEF Tajikistan climate and environment related external coordination fora, including under the Donor Coordination Council (DCC) and with interaction with the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan.
 Provide support on the implementation of the already initiated activities:
o Climate Landscape Analysis for Children
o Climate Risk Index – Disaster Risk Model initiative
o TCO’s CEED Strategy
o other events and initiatives
 Support Communication, Advocacy and Partnership (CAP) needs related to Climate and Environment in Tajikistan, including preparation of briefing notes for management, donors, and media.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.