Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction Support Officer

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

Tajikistan is highly prone to various types of disasters. The country is also highly vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change, mainly because of its high exposure to climate-related extreme events, its dependence on natural resources such as water, and its low capacity to adapt. In the face of unavoidable impacts on children, the response to the threat of disasters demands investment in child-centred Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).
UNICEF Tajikistan has started the mainstreaming of Climate and Environment related issues across its programmatic interventions. 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. Moreover, UNICEF and RCST/IFRC are currently implementing a joint programme on “Strengthening Local and National Capacities for Emergency Preparedness and Response in High Earthquake Risk and Natural Hazard Prone Countries of Central Asia”.
UNICEF will continue working in close partnership with RCST/ IFRC to build on the achievements of the previous phased of the programme, including improvements in joint systems that support humanitarian action, with the overall aim to achieve faster scaling-up of the response in new onset or prolonged emergencies, including forecasting and early identification of priorities and strategies, rapid deployment of qualified staff and supplies and clear accountabilities for the response. UNICEF will also work with all partners to ensure greater engagement of children and young volunteers in earthquake and other emergency preparedness and response, DRR and climate change adaptation at national and local levels to enhance their understanding of disaster/climate change risks, mitigation, prevention and preparedness measures. Youth, schoolteachers, parents and other community members will be trained and educated to understand and manage risks and to learn risk reduction, preparedness, and response actions for earthquakes and other related hazards/emergencies caused by floods, landslides, or other risks.
To continue moving with these efforts, UNICEF Tajikistan is looking for a Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction Officer (UNV) to provide technical and advisory support for the planning of new and implementation of the ongoing climate and environment related activities and DRR. The role includes following up on previous work done for the integration of climate and environment within specific interventions across TCO programmatic areas. She/he will also assist the process of the implementation of the TCO’s 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

Under the direct supervision of Emergency Specialist, the UN University Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
– Support the coordination of the TCO’s CEED Task Team, including convening monthly meetings and the implementation of the CEED-related workplan.
– Support UNICEF Tajikistan climate and environment related external coordination fora, including under the Donor Coordination Council (DCC) and with interaction with KOICA.
– Provide technical support to the TCO programme / sections on the formulation of CEED-related interventions, in line with the CPD and priorities of KOICA’s Country Partnership Strategy and Mid-term Sectoral Strategy (’21-’25)
– Provide technical support to Climate Landscape Analysis for Children, Climate Risk Index – Disaster Risk Model initiative, CEED Strategy, DRR & Water vulnerability under the Water Security for All Initiative
– Support the resource mobilization for CEED, including drafting donor proposal and concept notes.
– Support the identification Climate and Environment training needs for TCO, aligned with the CEED Strategy.
– Support Communication, Advocacy and Partnership (CAP) needs related to Climate and Environment in Tajikistan, including preparation of briefing notes for management, donors, and media.
– Prepare technical reports/training modules (jointly with UNICEF & RCST teams) on school-based DRR/CCA and school safety and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.
– Support the Emergency Specialist with carrying out of the technical monitoring of response on a regular basis and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) by implementing partners and verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders.
– Draft communication and information materials for CEED programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund-raising for CEED portfolio.