Climate and Environment Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context

Therefore, climate change and environmental degradation are considered as a priority area for UNICEF Tajikistan. To further examine the baseline situation of climate, energy and environment-related issues, including disaster risk reduction, affecting children in Tajikistan, UNICEF initiated evidence generating exercises. Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) and the Children’s Climate Risk Index -Disaster Risk Model initiative (CCRI-DRM) are currently being undertaken 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.
In 2023, UNICEF launched the Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030 (SCAP), a global commitment to ensure a sustainable world and protect the most vulnerable children from the worst impacts of a changing climate and degrading environment. Climate change, disaster risk and environmental degradation (CEED) are addressed as integral components of the UNICEF Strategic Plan (SP), 2022–2025. In alignment with global and regional strategies, CEED has been identified as priority area for UNICEF programming in Tajikistan and commenced implementing several CEED interventions. Hence, UNICEF Tajikistan is seeking a national expert (UNV) to support UNICEF Country Office in implementing CEED interventions.
Under the direct supervision of Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR (CEED) Specialist and with secondary reporting line to the Emergency Specialist, Climate and Environment Expert will support UNICEF’s work towards addressing CEED issues that affect children in Tajikistan. The expert will support partnership consultation and engagement, leveraging and strengthening UNICEF’s existing collaboration networks and partnerships with government and development partners. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work on programme development and advancing programme implementation together with government partners and UNICEF programme colleagues (e.g health and nutrition, social protection, education, WASH, innovation, social and behaviour change, gender, adolescent engagement).

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR (CEED) Specialist and with secondary reporting line to the Emergency Specialist, the National UNV Expert will undertake the following tasks:
Research, evidence generation and knowledge management.
– Support the generation, collecting and systematizing of evidence on climate change impacts on children and child-critical social services. This includes supporting and overseeing completion of ongoing evidence generating exercises (Children’s Climate Landscape Analysis, and Children’s Climate Risk Index-Disaster Risk Model
– Co-lead the development of analysis and monitoring system(s) to further strengthen the evidence on key climate- and environment threats affecting children and child-critical social services, focusing on CCRI-DRM outcomes.
– Supporting the development of knowledge products on climate, energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction, including drafting policy briefs, guides, investment cases and reports.
– Support the development of contextualized guidance and recommendations for child-sensitive climate and environment, DRR and energy policies, including, but not limited to, NDC, NAP, National Communication and BUR to the UNFCCC.
– Provide research support regarding environmental and climate education and climate-resilient social services.
– Lead, review, develop and/or contextualize child- and youth-friendly learning on climate, energy, environment and DRR issues, including review of national curricula.
– Lead the development of child-friendly versions of key national climate change documents.
– Assist with the documentation and publicity of the work of youth-led climate projects and environment actors.
– Assist with developing creative and engaging messages and communication materials in conjunction with climate and environment designated international days, each with a theme or topic;
Programme Development and implementation.
– Support fundraising on climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, by supporting development of concept notes and proposal, in line with UNICEFs mandate and national commitments towards the Paris Agreement (NDC/NAP).
– Co-lead and oversee implementation of climate and environment work plans with partners (e.g., Committee for Environmental Protection)
– Co-lead the implementation of climate-related campaigns in collaboration with Government partners and produce communication, outreach and visibility materials on climate change.
– Support to Early Warning for All initiative.
– Support and liaise with Programme section focal points on planning, implementation and reporting progress towards climate-focused indicators and provide technical support as needed.
– Document and analyze existing experience of climate programming in Tajikistan (e.g. Comprehensive School Safety Framework in schools, Shock-Responsive social protection, youth engagement, climate-resilient WASH in hospitals/schools).
– Document and analyze existing initiatives and programme on school-based climate and environmental education and community awareness, and identify partnership opportunity
– Co-lead organization and facilitation of UNICEF’s internal CEED Taskforce meeting
Engagement of Adolescents and Youth
– Work closely with programe sections, develop child and adolescent friendly package of learning and action materials.
– Supervise content creation to activate and engage with youth in climate actions and movements in Tajikistan, using innovative communication tools such as TikTok, Instagram and other platforms.
– Facilitate participation of children and adolescents in national and sub-national policy and planning processes.
– Work with partners to strengthen the capacities of youth in climate and environment to become climate and environmental champions.
– Support youth advocates’ communication products and campaigns on climate change.