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 fulfil 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, clean environment

Climate change, environmental protection and air pollution are equity issues, with children and young people often being the most vulnerable and affected. Addressing these issues is vital for building a more sustainable future for children. In Serbia, air pollution is a very serious problem during the long winter due to the burning of unclean fuels to stay warm, and due to other sources of air pollution. It is an unprecedented maternal and child health crisis with many immediate and long-term consequences. Impacts include, but are not limited to, preterm birth, low birthweight, foetal death, impaired brain and lung development, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological problems later on in life.

How can you make a difference?

The Climate Change & Clean Air Officer will provide programmatic and policy guidance and technical assistance to address the risks to children across sectors, developing partnerships, engaging with children and youth, conducting analysis and advocacy, and capturing, developing and disseminating knowledge products and information.

Task description:

1. Support to the programme development and planning
2. Programme management, quality assurance, field monitoring and reporting of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking, partnership building, resource mobilization
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

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

• University degree in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy or other relevant disciplines.
• A minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience in areas related to children’s rights, environmental issues, international development, children’s health, and/or climate change and sustainable energy.
• Knowledge and working experience on environmental issues related to air pollution and climate change impacts.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting or facilitating participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning initiatives.
• Proven capacity to work with cross-functional teams in collating, managing, sharing knowledge and learning.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, as well as advocacy and presentational skills.
• Experience in working within UNICEF or other UN/international entities and/or familiarity with the work of UNICEF is an asset.
• Advanced level of English, fluency in Serbian.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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