Consultant in CEED (Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction), Salvador, Brazil.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief of Salvador Field Office the Consultant will provide overall technical support to UNICEF practices on Disasters Risk Reduction Preparedness, climate emergencies and environment in Bahia, Minas Gerais e Pernambuco. Follow-up and capacity-building of local actors on implementation of municipal plans and projects on Disasters Risk Reduction Preparedness, water-borne diseases prevention and WASH; as well as to develop technical proposal to push forward the UNCEF response on Climate Changes.

In December 2021, an unexpected and unforeseen amount of rainfall hit the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia, triggering the flagging of 139 Federally recognized Emergency-status and the identification of disaster-situations across 213 municipalities, as last informed by the Health Secretariat of the State of Bahia in 25 January, 2022.

According to the ACAPS an independent-global-humanitarian monitoring Center, the events in Bahia and Minas Gerais were caused by a methodological phenomenon known as the South Atlantic Convergence Zone 5 , which amplified by La Ninã, and the passage of a Subtropical Cyclone caused damages and losses estimated in US$ 3.1 billion, according to the report “State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2021” by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

UNICEF, as one of the first agencies to reach the affected municipalities, drawn on January 07th 2022, the Bahia Humanitarian flash note Nº 01, displaying the preliminary figures of 37,477 children in need; 815,597 affected population; and the displacement of 101,256 people among shelters and host communities.

In the same year, 2022, the capital of Pernambuco and more 31 municipalities in this State also suffered with heavy rains and according to the Civil Defense authorities. Pernambuco had registered the highest number of deaths (133) after severe landslides. On this situation UNICEF carried out a rapid assessment about children in 7 (seven) shelters that had been installed in public schools in the capital city. Additionally, UNICEF conducted by IP, strategies and support service on mental health to adolescents as well as advocacy for the safe return “to school.

SCOPE OF WORK: 

In line with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) and National Brazilian Protocols for Children in Emergency and Disasters (National Protocols) , the he Consultant aims at cooperating to following 3 Results:  Climate Policy incidence and Disaster risk prevention Plans and Protocols to national, state and municipal levels; Trainings local and municipalities actors including adolescents and develop UNICEF´s technical proposal on Climate Changes, Environmental Education for Children.

The Consultant will also be requested to attend webinars, trainings, and capacity buildings. As well as virtual and national meetings with UNICEF teams, Emergency Technical Team, UNICEF Seal Team, Sates Secretariats, Prosecution Office’s Operational Working Group and NGO partners.

DELIVERABLES

Work Assignment overview 1 – Climate Policy incidence and Disaster risk prevention Plans and Protocols revised and disseminated at national, state and municipal levels.

Activities:

1.1   Collaborate with revision of the National Protocol to dissemination by UNICEF to States and municipal levels.

1.2   Organize a  UNICEF’s Seminar on Preparedness to share examples and good practices on mitigation, preparedness Plans, amongst State Secretariats and Civil Defense of Bahia, Pernambuco e Minas Gerais

1.3   Technical assistance to UNICEF elaborate Plans on Civil Defense and Preparedness of Bahia, Pernambuco e Minas Gerais States

1.4   Elaborating a basic guideline manual on preparedness and risk mitigation measures to support UNICEF in cooperating with municipalities in potential risk of emergency

1.5   Providing specialized technical assistance to strengthen UNICEF BCO capacity to address localized sudden emergencies, drawing post-disasters child-focus plans, especially at the level of state authorities whereas to draw lessons learned from Bahia, Minas Gerais e Pernambuco emergency response .

1.1.  Deliverables/Outputs 1- Workplan’s Consultant describing the activities and deliverables to be conducted in the period of consultancy    

1.2. Deadline – 5 working days from the date of contract signature

1.3. Estimate Budget 10%

1.1.  Deliverables/Outputs 2- Plan to preparation of the UNICEF’s Seminar on preparedness  with Civil Defence Organs developed.

1.2.  Deadline – 30 working days from the date of contract signature

1.3. Estimate Budget 10%

Work Assignment overview 2 – Local managers of health, assistance, education, school community, and adolescents from NUCAS and municipalities enrollment Selo UNICEF from the Semi-arid region informed and trained on (i) environment education for children, (ii) disasters and risks mitigations measures, and (iii) reducing waterborne neglected vector-borne diseases (Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya and their control).

Activities:

2.1. Carry out UNICEF online training on the following:

a. Child centered disaster risk and reduction, for until 90 municipalities most affected by climate disasters in these 3 States.

b. environmental and climate change issues to better implement municipal contingency and emergency preparedness plans, for 270 (30 X 9 States) local managers from Seal municipalities.

c. climate change and environment, focusing on the prevention and promotion of local solutions and innovations for 450 (50 X 9 States) Adolescents

d. waterborne and neglected diseases (Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya) in their communities as well as on water and sanitation services and vector control strategies in municipal sanitation plans, for 270 (30 X 9 States) local managers from Seal municipalities.

2.1  Deliverables Outputs 3 – UNICEF basic guideline manual on preparedness and risk mitigation measures to municipalities developed

2.1.1 Deadline – 60 working days from the date of contract signature

2.1.2 Estimate Budget 20%

2.2 Deliverables Outputs 4 –  UNICEF Online training on Child centred disaster risk and reduction, for 90 municipalities most affected by climate disasters developed

2.2.1. Deadline – 90 working days from the date of contract signature

2.2.2. Estimate Budget 15%

2.3.    Deliverable Output 5 – UNICEF´s Recommendation Protocol on Heat Waves developed

2.3.1.      Deadline – 120 working days from the date of contract signature

2.3.2        Estimate Budget 15%

Work Assignment overview 3 – UNICEF´s technical proposal on Climate Changes, Environmental Education for Children elaborated on the basis of good practices and lessons draw from traditional and indigenous communities in the Semiarid region.

Activities:                                                                                                                                                    

3.1. Develop a proposal for a UNICEF´s Recommendation Protocol on Heat Waves

3.2. provide specialized technical inputs on climate emergency preparedness and environment education themes at new edition of UNICEF Seal methodology

3.3. provide specialized technical inputs on  climate emergency preparedness and environment education themes at new edition of UNICEF ACU methodology 

3.4. Elaborate a Semiarid-oriented funding proposal on Climate Changes & Children

3.1. Deliverables/Outputs 6 – Proposal on climate emergency preparedness and environment education themes at UNICEF Seal and ACU methodology developed

3.1.1. Deadline – 150 working days from the date of contract signature

3.1.2. Estimate Budget 15%

3.2. Deliverables/Outputs 7 – Proposal on climate emergency preparedness developed on the importance of the preservation of the territory, its rich multi-ethnical knowledge which gather a diversity of traditional and innovative practices child-oriented to facing de climate risks, promote protection and environmentally sustainable.

3.2.1. Deadline – 180 working days from the date of contract signature

3.2.2. Estimate Budget 15%

DURATION OF CONTRACT:

6 months from the signature of contract

TRAVEL PLAN

05 trips expected:

• 2 for the State of Minas Gerais
• 2 for the State of Pernambuco
• 1 for the State of Bahia

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT

• University Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Education, Law, Communications, social work, or related area relevant with UNICEF fields of actions
• Background and familiarity with international human rights and emergency recovery, preparedness, climate changes an wash.
• Professional experience or knowledge of public policy for children and adolescents, as well as disaster preparedness and response.
• Professional experience or Knowledge of climate changes and the impact on children.
• Master’s degree would be an asset.
• Minimum 3 years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national or international levels in international/ civil society organizations.
• Good knowledge of State and municipal governments and civil society organizations.
• Experience in working with traditional and vulnerable population is an asset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proven ability to facilitating interagency processes to achieve a common goal.
• Computer and database literacy and social media would be an asset, as well as Information Management or SIG skills
• Native Portuguese and fluent English. Working Spanish would be an asset.

UNICEF’S CORE VALUES

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)  

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS

• Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed.
• Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

INSURANCE AND HEALTH COVERAGE

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health, and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

RESTRICTIONS

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF.  Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract.
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

 

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

English language is required: level intermediary.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.