UNICEF Vacancy for Programmme Specialist

UNICEF invites the application for the Programmme Specialist position for highly skilled, self-motivated, diligent and result-oriented candidates to apply for the position.

UNICEF Vacancy Announcement

Programmme Specialist (Climate and Environment), P-3, Regional Climate Change Team, ROSA, Kathmandu, Nepal (Fixed Term Appointment)

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, Protection

Download File ROSA Culture Book, Second Edition, 2023.pdf

How can you make a difference?

In alignment with our commitment to protect children and young people worldwide, UNICEF has launched its Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) 2023 – 2030. The SCAP prioritizes urgent climate action through systematic change in partnership with public and private sectors to prioritize the needs of children and young people and build their resilience to the climate crises. The SCAP strives to mainstream sustainability and climate action both internally and externally, through protecting the lives, health and well-being of children and their communities; empowering children with developmental opportunities and skills; and reducing emissions and the environmental footprint within UNICEF.

The Climate and Environment Specialist is part of the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (UNICEF ROSA) Climate Team and reports to the Regional Adviser (Climate and Environment). The Specialist supports the Regional Adviser in supporting country offices to integrate and mainstream climate and environmental sustainability actions as part of country programmes, in line with UNICEF SCAP and ROSA priorities. The Specialist provides technical expertise on climate and environment programming, policy and advocacy support to address climate change across key programme sectors, as well as helps manage regional partnerships in a systematic manner.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Technical Advisory and Programming Support

• Provide high quality technical support to SAR country offices in developing, implementing and monitoring SCAP priorities, including foundational and mainstreaming elements.
• Assist country offices and programme sections in developing and scaling up focused areas of accelerators.
• Provide guidance to country offices for multi-sectoral sustainability and climate actions, including implementation of Environment and Social Safeguards Standards (ESS).
• Track and coordinate regional sustainability and climate programmes and initiatives.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Support multi-country programme planning, development, and implementation particularly focusing on the areas of accelerators.
• Develop multi-county proposals and support in accessing climate and environment funds from a variety of sources. Build investment cases for UNICEF ROSA work on climate change, energy, and environmental sustainability.
• Support work planning and end year reporting processes, including coordinating with country offices and ROSA sections to report effectively on progress and constraints on climate and environment outcome and output results.
• Support to monitor climate and environment indicators (e.g CSIs and other corporate reporting processes) to assess programme effectiveness and delivery of results.
• Generate reports to demonstrate the impact of interventions and inform evidence-based decision-making.

Advocacy, Networking and Partnerships

• Closely follow climate and environmental negotiations, global processes (e.g. COP, UNFCCC, interagency processes) particularly impacting children and young people.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for ROSA management, country offices and partners.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external networks to elevate climate and child rights issues, and strategically position UNICEF ROSA at the global, regional and country levels.
• Support strategic partnerships with development partners, donors, think tanks, and the private sector to stimulate coordination and collaboration.
• Working closely with the regional communications and advocacy team, support with content development, strategic messaging to promote visibility of UNICEF programmes as well as awareness, advocacy, fund raising and partnerships opportunities.

Knowledge Management and Capacity Support

• Coordinate data collection, analysis, and evidence generation activities for emerging trends on climate, identify and advance cross-sectoral programming and advocacy opportunities. Inform evidence-based policy recommendations. Use data-driven insights to advocate for policies and interventions that prioritize child well-being in climate and environmental initiatives.
• Facilitate consolidation of best practices, country case studies, lessons learned and regional publications. Support country offices with knowledge exchange opportunities.
• Develop and organise regional workshops in coordination with partners. Develop guidance, training materials and tools for staff capacity development. Organise capacity development training for sections, country offices and partners including on environment and social safeguards, climate finance, clean energy, and climate-resilient urban development, among others.
• Support the team in ensuring the smooth organisation of the regional climate coordination group at regular intervals

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

• Education: An advanced university degree in climate change, environmental science, energy, or a related engineering field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant international professional work on climate, energy or environment, preferably with the UN, or multilateral development organisations. In-depth expertise in climate and environment, together with specific experience in climate and environment programme/project and proposal formulation, and monitoring in a developing country context is required. Knowledge of climate and environmental impacts, assessments, and adaptation solutions is an asset. Familiarity with children’s rights in the context of climate change, environmental degradation and climate-related disaster risk reduction. Solid knowledge of UNICEF policies and procedures or other international development agencies is considered an asset
  Language Requirement: Fluency in English. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Skills:

• Thorough knowledge about Climate Change, Energy, Environment and climate-related disaster risk reduction policy, programming and advocacy.
• Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges and propose changes.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for the achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to the formulation of strategies and policies. High sense of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment.
• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team, coping with pressure and setbacks, as well as responding and adapting to change.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Excellent time management skills to deal with conflicting and urgent priorities

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Core Competencies:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 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:

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.

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

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees who 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.

Application close: Feb 20 2024 Nepal Standard Time

To apply visit: jobs.unicef.org