Programme Specialist (Climate Change-Environment) – P3

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job ? it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

 

For every child, Hope

The main purpose of this assignment is to implement Somalia Country climate change workplan and reinforce capacities of the UNICEF and its partners in implementing and scaling up low-carbon humanitarian response, resilience building and development and in strengthening its climate change sensitive, environmentally friendly programme aligned with UNICEF’s global strategy on climate energy and environment.

It will help to better plan and implement opportunities for UNICEF in integrated humanitarian responses, climate change response, environmental action, disaster risk reduction and resilience as a pathway between humanitarian aid and development.

It will support quality of climate change programming through collection of evidence and data to organize them to highlight challenges, best practices, and identification of new opportunities. 

Work with section, coordinate and report on implementation of integrated solutions throughout the programme cycle. To develop and maintain broader partnerships on climate change and ensure coordination of UNICEF’s work across sectors and in particular WASH with relevant partners.

Finally, under the guidance of the Resilience Specialist and in collaboration with the Deputy Representative Operations, in the Climate Change-Environment specialist provide professional technical assistance and support to ensure reduce UNICEF environmental and carbon footprint in delivering programs.

 

How can you make a difference? 

KEY FUNCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RELATED DUTIES/TASKS

Programme Implementation and Coordination of Climate, Environment and Energy activities

• Provide technical support to sections and COs regarding climate, energy and environment.
• lead Coordinate for implementation of cross sectoral Climate Change programme.
• Provide support to sections on climate change and resilience programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting to ensure realization of complementary programming and transitions is followed up.
• Ensure optimum use of Resilience and climate change Programme Funds by monitoring section’s expenditure patterns are within the approved budgets.
• Ensure that UNICEF engagement in the area of climate, energy and environment (CEE) is well coordinated within and outside UNICEF, and that UNICEF progressively integrates climate change action into office programs.
• Documentation and knowledge management for programme section through liaison with stakeholders active in climate change and environmental sustainability for coordination, collecting lessons learned and good practices and ensure linkages/ knowledge exchange across sections and with regional and global stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant Government, United Nations and development partners’ climate change and environment working groups to ensure linkages/ knowledge exchange with regional and global stakeholders.
• Integrate CEE in Resilience task force CO coordination and coordinate with emergency section.
• Plan for use of technical experts from the Regional Office and HQ, through remote support and on-site visits.

Climate Finance, partnerships and resource mobilization and provide linkages to regional and global

• Strengthen and establish climate and environment-focused partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), governments, the United Nations, and development partners.
• Systematically pursue climate finance (global climate funds, bilateral, private sector) by establishing partnerships with relevant focal points, potential partners and mapping opportunities for UNICEF.
• Provide linkages to UNICEF’s global ?Climate, Energy and Environment programmes and regional work and pilot their implementation at the country level.
• Develop concept notes and proposals for fundraising for climate change adaptation and mitigation proposals as well as inputs to proposals from other sections as needed.
• Follow-up, backstopping and coordination of implementation of approved environment-focused proposals.
• Explore climate financing architecture and opportunities for UNICEF and Government to qualify and apply for climate finance from IFI and other climate financing institutions.

Technical and operational support for programme implementation

• Substantively lead UNICEF efforts at sectoral integration of environment and climate change in emergency and resilience programme.
• Support expansion of green energy use and applications in UNICEF programmes and operations through market assessments, development, and knowledge sharing.
• Identify actions and best practices for protecting children from climate change and environmental risk and provide necessary technical assistance and capacity development to staff and partners for their adoption.
• Identify objectives, actions, and best practices for reducing UNICEF environmental and carbon footprint in to efficiently implement its programmes.
• Examples of sector support for design of programmes, and risk informed programming the incumbent may undertake:
  • WASH: coordinate concept and proposal development jointly with internal and external stakeholders for accessing climate finance. Potential entry points include household and institutional climate adaptation, environment, and climate awareness through WASH in Schools programmes, innovation in water and wastewater treatment and management, climate resilient water safety planning and water scarcity YOUTH: support the section in conducting climate and environment focused youth participation and youth activism to support climate initiatives.
  • EDUCATION: support the section in the development of environment and climate action curriculum support, and in awareness raising around environmental impacts on children and the youth.
  • HEALTH: support engagement regarding the climate resilient health systems, and support work regarding the added burden of disease due to climate change.
  • SOCIAL POLICY: support the section in incorporation of national climate and environment vulnerability assessments and social safety systems.

Networking and partnership building

• Support sector Climate change and resilient focal points in technical relationships with relevant ministries and government counterparts in order to support national priorities and promote UNICEF’s portfolio of action on climate change.
• Support communication, evidence dissemination and awareness raising on the impact of climate change on children’s rights in Somalia, in order to facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Prepare materials for climate change programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Participate in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Maintain overall knowledge on the policy, institutions and programmatic activities
• Disseminate regional and global relevant climate change and environmental research and innovations (technical and systems) to advocate for their adoptions by programmes and operations.
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, in climate action to support overall programme development.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

 

IMPACT OF RESULTS

The support provided by the specialist will explore the opportunities of UNICEF in climate change. She/he will facilitate the shift to a climate resilient programme and enable the country office to achieve nexus between humanitarian and development of the country programme. 

Specific results:

• Timely and accurate technical assistance is provided to Programme and Operation Sections to carry out climate, energy, climate adaptation and mitigation responses and environment related programme delivery; evaluate and report on compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Effective coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of multi-sector Climate change programme and of Workplan with Ministry of Environment and Climate Change through thematic funding and other fundings.
• Knowledge management, and promotion of knowledge through drafting/finalizing key Climate, Energy and Environment programme documents and sharing good practices, lessons learned, and facilitating knowledge/information exchange within the region.
• Operational research on climate, energy and environment scaling up and strengthening.
• Effective communication and networking at Climate, Energy and Environment meetings is achieved through partnership and collaboration with Government, other UN agencies, donors and NGOs.
• Support and Development of pipeline of bankable Climate-smart adaptation, renewable Energy and Environmental friendly proposals and concept that are effectively promoted coherent and aligned with Climate finance institutions strategies.  (eg: KfW, EIB, IsDB, etc. bringing together UNCDF and UNICEF)

 

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: environment, climate science, social and economic development, public health, public administration international cooperation or another relevant technical field is required.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is a strong asset.
• *A first University Degree (i.e., undergraduate/bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in resilience, development and emergency, programmes.
• Experience in WASH, Climate change and environmental programmes is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management required.
• Experience of UNICEF and/or UN systems
• One year of deployment in a developing country is required.
• Total of at least 12 months deployment in a humanitarian situation with the UN, Government, and/or INGO is required.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
• Other requirements: Proactive and resourceful, good communication skills in negotiating and liaising with counterparts and partners.

 

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are?

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels with our competency framework 

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

 

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

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

 

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