Programme Specialist (Climate Change), NO-3, Bujumbura, Burundi # 127683

 Specific JD Programme Specialist (Climate Change) NO3.pdf

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, a champion

In Burundi, UNICEF has a very diverse portfolio of responsibilities but all with the same objective which is to assist the Government and other stakeholders to fulfill children’s economic, social, cultural, political, and civil rights. The UNICEF country program in Burundi aims to improve the lives of children and women in the following key areas: Child and maternal health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Water, sanitation and hygiene, Social Policy and Advocacy, Adolescent empowerment and community resilience, and Humanitarian response.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS713LNR9TU

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Specialist Climate Change reports to the Chief WASH and Climate (Level 4) for guidance and general supervision. The overall scope of work of the Specialist Climate is to contribute to the objective of the Country Programme of Cooperation for 2024-2027 of supporting improved Government capacity to implement effective child-focused, shock-responsive programmes and to protect all children from climate and environmental risks.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development, planning, coordination, integration, and technical and operational support to sections

Coordinate UNICEF engagement in existing climate change adaptation and environment-specific interventions and assist in the integration of these dimensions in the new UNICEF Country Programme (2024-2027`)

Provide strategic and technical guidance, advice and inputs on all aspects of climate (mitigation, adaptation, resilience).

Help refine UNICEF’s niche for addressing climate change and environmental degradation impact on children, raise awareness and design programmes supporting children’s rights, and strengthen risk-informed programming in Burundi.

Serve as the focal point between the Burundi Country Office, partner organizations, government and UNICEF regional office & HQ for developing climate finance proposals related to systems strengthening (i.e. Fonds Vert Climate).

Assist in advancing synergistic cross-sectoral programming in WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social protection, Protection and Education and skills sectors to ensure that climate programming has a greater impact on children.

Keep abreast of climate and environment development trends for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.

2. Advocacy, evidence generation, policy and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children

Establish UNICEF’s engagement in national working groups on climate change.

Participate in strategic discussions to influence national policies and strategies on environment and climate change adaptation to contribute to key results for children.

Support communication and policy advocacy regarding climate change, environmental degradation and child rights in Burundi, and inputs into key national climate and environment policy dialogues (national action plans, policies and climate strategies).

Support the collection and development of data on UNICEF thematic areas and sectors in support of climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience, including but not restricted to the upcoming Climate Landscape Analysis for Children.

3. External partnerships, resource mobilization and linkages to regional and global efforts

Identify partners and entry points for strategic engagement regarding climate change’s impact on children as well as strategic entry points for engagement with the government

Prepare donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global strategy on Climate and Environment, as well as government plans and priorities.

Assist in developing strategic partnerships with financing and development partners and the private sector.

Support fundraising on climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in line with UNICEF’s key thematic areas, such as WASH, health, Nutrition, Protection and education sectors.

Participate in inter-agency and development partner discussions, interact with national, global and regional initiatives and partnerships for climate adaptation and ensure that child rights and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the planning and agenda setting.

4. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and challenges and assist in making timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions.

Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.

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

• An advanced university degree in environmental sciences, climatology, geology or earth sciences, climate change, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, engineering, social and economic development, community development, international cooperation or another relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in programme/project development, focused on developing countries in areas related to development cooperation in climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and socio-economic development.
• Familiar with children’s rights and gender in the context of climate change and the environment. Knowledge of gender equality principles and gender-sensitive programming.
• Previous experience within UNICEF is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious & effective working relationships both within and outside an organization.
• Fluency in French and good working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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 (8) 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: 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and people with disability are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.