National consultancy to develop comprehensive recommendations for policy and regulations addressing children’s environmental health issues in Azerbaijan, in alignment with international standards and best practices.

The primary objective of this consultancy is to identify existing government policies and regulations addressing children’s environmental health issues, with a focus on climate change, toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and e-waste.

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. 

For every child, health

Background:

Tackling children’s environmental health concerns is critical since environmental factors have a significant impact on their well-being and future opportunities. UNICEF recognizes the urgent need to address environmental factors that play a significant role in determining children’s health outcomes. In Azerbaijan, as in many regions globally, children are particularly vulnerable to a range of environmental hazards, including but not limited to climate change impacts, exposure to toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and the improper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste). A comprehensive assessment conducted in the country, was a crucial first step in understanding the specific challenges faced by children in Azerbaijan.

Recognizing the critical need to protect the health and rights of children in the country, UNICEF Azerbaijan has launched a task to update comprehensive recommendations for policies and laws targeting children’s environmental health concerns. These ideas are critical not only for addressing urgent health concerns, but also for ensuring future generations’ well-being and resilience.

To achieve this goal, it is imperative to align the proposed policies and regulations with international standards and best practices. Drawing upon global expertise and evidence-based approaches, the aim is to establish a robust framework that prioritizes children’s environmental health and integrates their rights into decision-making processes. This might involve evaluating the effectiveness of regulations on issues such as air quality standards, waste management practices, and the use of toxic metals and chemicals in consumer products.

Additionally, developing targeted recommendations should involve collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups. These recommendations should be evidence-based and prioritize actions that will have the greatest impact on children’s health and well-being.

In light of these considerations, UNICEF Azerbaijan is seeking a national consultant to formulate thorough recommendations for laws and regulations targeting children’s health issues related to the environment.

How can you make a difference? 

The primary objective of this consultancy is to identify existing government policies and regulations addressing children’s environmental health issues, with a focus on climate change, toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and e-waste.

Specific objectives include:

1. Assessing international and national policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines on children’s environmental health focusing on priority areas.
2. Evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation status of existing policies in addressing the identified environmental health threats.
3. Identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and inadequacies in current policies and regulations related to children’s environmental health.
4. Formulating evidence-based recommendations to adjusting policies and regulations, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and promote interventions aimed at reducing children’s exposure to environmental hazards.

The consultancy will involve the following tasks:

a. Desk Review: Conduct a thorough review of all relevant international and national policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines concerning children’s environmental health, with a specific focus on climate change, toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and e-waste.

b. Gap Analysis: Identify gaps, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in existing policies and regulations related to the identified environmental health threats.

c. Stakeholder Consultation: Engage with key stakeholders, including MoENRs, Health Committee of the Parliament, other government agencies CEH working group members, , academia, and community representatives, to gather insights and perspectives on existing policies and potential areas for policy reform.

d. International Comparison: Compare existing national policies with international standards and best practices in children’s environmental health, particularly in the context of climate change, toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and e-waste management.

e. Recommendations: Develop actionable recommendations to strengthen existing policies and regulations, fill identified gaps, and enhance protection measures for children against environmental health threats, including climate change, toxic exposures, air pollution, and e-waste.

Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline:	Estimated Budget:
Desk Review: Conduct a thorough review of all relevant international and national policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines concerning children’s environmental health, with a specific focus on climate change, toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and e-waste.	Inception Report: A detailed plan outlining the methodology, timeline, and approach for conducting the consultancy, including an initial review of relevant international and national literature and policy documents	By end-August (7 days)	20% of payment
Gap Analysis: Identify gaps, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in existing policies and regulations related to the identified environmental health threats.  Stakeholder Consultation: Engage with key stakeholders, including MoENRs, Health Committee of the Parliament, other government agencies CEH working group members, academia, and community representatives, to gather insights and perspectives on existing policies and potential areas for policy reform. International Comparison: Compare existing national policies with international standards and best practices in children’s environmental health, particularly in the context of climate change, toxic metals and chemicals, air pollution, and e-waste management.	Gather Insights on Existing Policies: Engage with stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of existing policies, regulations, and initiatives related to children’s environmental health in Azerbaijan.	By mid-September (10 days)	20% of payment
Recommendations: Develop actionable recommendations to strengthen existing policies and regulations, fill identified gaps, and enhance protection measures for children against environmental health threats, including climate change, toxic exposures, air pollution, and e-waste.	Final Report: A finalized report incorporating feedback received during the review process, along with a summary of key findings and recommendations in a format suitable for dissemination	By end-October 2024 (15)	60% of payment

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced degree in environmental health, public health, law, public policy, or a related field is required to demonstrate a strong foundation in the subject matter.
• Previous work in environmental policy development, regulatory analysis in health, environment sectors, or public policy analysis and development in other relevant area.
• Familiarity with the socio-economic and environmental context of Azerbaijan is important for understanding the specific challenges and opportunities related to children’s environmental health in the country.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary for effectively conveying complex concepts and recommendations to diverse stakeholders. This includes the ability to present findings clearly and persuasively.
• The ability to analyse policy documents, research data, and stakeholder input critically is crucial for identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement in existing policies and regulations.
• Fluency in both English and Azerbaijani languages is required to communicate effectively with stakeholders and produce written deliverables in both languages.
• The capacity for analytical thinking and problem-solving is critical for formulating evidence-based recommendations that address the complex challenges of children’s environmental health effectively.
• A commitment to promoting and protecting the rights and well-being of children is fundamental, as the consultancy aims to improve policies and regulations to better safeguard children’s environmental health.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

  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/individual contractors 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. 

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.