COP29 Technical Assistance to the Representative Office

Details

Mission and objectives

For more than 25 years UNICEF has been working with the Government and people of Azerbaijan to provide every child with the best start to life. Our activities began during some of the country’s most difficult times, assisting refugees and internally displaced people from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and addressing the impact of economic hardships caused by the transition from Soviet power to independence in 1991. UNICEF now strives to build on the considerable progress Azerbaijan has made, economically and socially, over the last two decades. Poverty rates have dramatically decreased, child mortality rates have fallen, and primary school enrollment is almost universal.
UNICEF focuses its attention on those children who have not fully benefited from such advances. We work alongside the Government, communities and families in Azerbaijan to reach out to those children who remain vulnerable or at risk, to initiate new approaches to child and youth development, and to strengthen the national capacities and systems that support children and families.
We believe that to match the economic vision of the nation, an investment in the country’s youngest human capital – its children and young people – is one that will bring some of the greatest and longest-lasting dividends.
As Azerbaijan’s presence on the global stage increased, so has its commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda. In doing so, it has also made commitments to ensuring that no citizen – especially its children – is left behind. UNICEF’s work in Azerbaijan reflects that commitment, as we help support the development of new policies, legislation, standards and models of children’s services. We bring our global knowledge and experience to enhance local capacity not only to institutions but to the communities and individuals who work directly with children, and we shape better decision-making and allocation of resources through collection and analysis of data on the situation of children.

Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
For more than 30 years UNICEF has been working with the Government and people of Azerbaijan to provide every child with the best start to life. Our activities began during some of the country’s most difficult times, assisting refugees and internally displaced people from Karabakh and addressing the impact of economic hardships caused by the transition from Soviet power to independence in 1991. UNICEF now strives to build on the considerable progress Azerbaijan has made, economically and socially, over the last two decades. Poverty rates have dramatically decreased, child mortality rates have fallen, and primary school enrolment is almost universal.
UNICEF focuses its attention on those children who have not fully benefited from such advances. We work alongside the Government, communities and families in Azerbaijan to reach out to those children who remain vulnerable or at risk, to initiate new approaches to child and youth development, and to strengthen the national capacities and systems that support children and families.
We believe that to match the economic vision of the nation, an investment in the country’s youngest human capital – its children and young people – is one that will bring some of the greatest and longest-lasting dividends.
COP29 Overview
COP29 will take place from 11-24 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. During COP29, parties are expected to agree on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance and continue their work across other key workstreams, including the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (the Global Goal on Adaptation), loss and damage, Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), and the mitigation and Just Transition Programmes.
UNICEF’s Involvement
UNICEF will support the COP29 Presidency Office upon request on matters pertaining to the needs, wellbeing, and voices of children and the essential services that they and their communities rely on.
UN Volunteers’ Contribution
COP aims to make climate change action relevant to everyday life and livelihoods while also empowering youth and adolescents to see themselves as leaders in this effort. UN Volunteers play a vital role in advocating for volunteerism and youth engagement in environmental protection and the fight against climate change.
Role of UN Volunteer at UNICEF office Baku, Azerbaijan during COP29
Under the supervision of the UNICEF Azerbaijan Representative, the UN Volunteer will provide essential support to the Representative office in Baku, Azerbaijan. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for procedural communications, operations, and administrative support services to ensure the smooth running of the supervisor’s day-to-day activities.

Task description

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Azerbaijan Representative, the UN Volunteer’s Key Responsibilities:
1. Coordination and Liaison:
•Support as requested the communication with government officials, international dele-gates, and other stakeholders involved in UNICEF initiatives related to COP29.
•Coordinate and schedule meetings, send calendar invites and ensuring all relevant parties are informed and prepared.
•Coordinate with the operations team as needed ahead of any official missions.
•Act as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to the representative’s engagement and schedule for COP29, providing timely and accurate information.
•Facilitate the flow of information between the Representative office and external stake-holders, ensuring all parties are aligned on key activities and deadlines. This includes meeting notes, sharing agreed action points and following up on pending tasks. The UN Volunteer will also support when needed, the dissemination of information by the COP29 Senior Technical Expert to relevant UNICEF team members and follow up as needed.
2. Administrative Support:
•Manage the COP29 calendar, including scheduling and confirming meetings, appointments, and events.
•Prepare briefing materials for the Representative and other team members for official trips or meetings, ensuring all documents are accurate, comprehensive and filed accordingly.
•Draft, review, and finalize correspondence and documentation for the Representative’s signature, ensuring adherence to style, factual, and grammatical standards.
3. Organizational Tasks:
•Assist in the planning and execution of COP29 events when requested, including logistics, venue arrangements, and coordination with event organizers. (This will be in close collaboration with the representative, the COP29 Senior Technical Expert and COP29 Focal Point.)
•Monitor and follow up on action points from meetings, ensuring timely completion and reporting of outcomes.
•Maintain detailed records of all COP29 related activities, meetings, and communications for future reference and accountability.
4. Communication and Reporting:
•Prepare regular updates and reports on COP29 activities, progress, and any issues that arise, ensuring the Representative is fully informed. (This should be done in liaison with the COP29 Senior Technical Expert and the COP29 Focal Point.)
•Ensure all communications are clear, concise, and accurately reflect the position of the representative office.
•Work closely with other team members to ensure a cohesive approach to COP29 activities.