Climate Environment and DRR Specialist

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Description

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• Implementation of the foundational elements in each UNICEF country in the LAC region (i.e. data and analysis, development of country strategy, implementation of ESS and greening initiatives, staff training)
• Development and implementation of sustainability and climate as part of all country programmes and advocacy in the region
• Implementation of suitable multi-country projects in areas of acceleration in the region
• Development of country and regional partnerships in the region.
• Foster engagement with key stakeholders related to climate finance in the region and globally.

• Implementation of foundational elements in UNICEF country offices, including data analysis, strategy development, and environmental standards.
• Coordinate data collection for climate adaptation, disaster reduction, and resilience.
• Develop sustainability and climate strategies for regional countries.
• Promote UNICEF environmental standards and capacity-building.
• Align policies and programs regionally and with broader UNICEF initiatives.

• Ensure sustainability and climate integration in country programs.
• Provide guidance to country offices for multi-sectoral sustainability.
• Support regional sustainability and climate initiatives in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan.

• Offer technical and operational support to staff in climate, energy, environment, and DRR.
• Assist in implementing complementary Sustainability and Climate Action Plan strategies.
• Coordinate narratives and milestones across the region.
• Track regional sustainability and climate initiatives.

• Coordinate country selection for sustainability and climate projects.
• Provide strategic advice and knowledge exchange among countries.
• Champion climate-informed risk reduction, sustainable energy, WASH services, youth engagement, and internal sustainability.

• Establish strategic partnerships with financial institutions and the private sector.
• Promote cross-sectoral programming for maximum impact.
• Ensure coordinated engagement within and outside UNICEF.
• Support fundraising efforts aligned with thematic areas.
• Pursue climate finance opportunities.

• Support the development of a strategy designed to unlock climate finance opportunities for UNICEF and governments in LAC region.
• Support the development proposals for climate finance including feasibility studies and assessments.
• Identify most promising opportunities for financing climate-resilient and accessible Health, Education and WASH services.
• Capacity building for country offices to develop proposals and secure the large-scale funding needed to provide climate-resilient social services for children and young people. 

• Protect the lives, health and well-being of children and the resilience of their communities by adapting essential social services to a changing climate, more frequent disasters and a degrading environment.
• Empower every child through their life course with the developmental opportunities, education and skills to be a champion for the environment.
• Reduce emissions and environmental footprint within UNICEF, support its global network of partners to do the same, and advocate for the fulfilment of ambitious international sustainability and climate change agreements.
• The key results have an impact on the overall performance of UNICEF’s organizational response and commitment to prioritize action on the planetary crisis globally.

• An advanced university degree in climate change, environmental science, engineering, disaster management, International Development, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy or other relevant disciplines is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in areas related to sustainability, international development, disaster management, environmental issues, public policy, social policy, and children’s health and wellbeing is required.
• Specific experience in policy/advocacy/programming, implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation related to climate change, environment or disaster risk reduction is required preferably in a developing country context.
• In-depth knowledge on climate, environment, and DRR impacts, assessments, and adaptation solutions required.
• Familiarity with children’s rights in the context of climate change, environmental degradation and disaster risk reduction required.
• In-depth knowledge of climate and environmental finance would be an asset.
• Experience working on CEED issues within UNICEF or other international development agencies is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or a local language is an asset.

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