Associate Director, Sustainability and Climate, Programme Group (PG), D-1, New York, USA

Overview

Lead UNICEF's sustainability and climate action efforts globally

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in environment, energy or climate change, or other relevant disciplines.
• A minimum of 13 years of relevant progressively responsible work experience focused on developing countries, of which 6-8 years focus on areas related to development cooperation in sustainability, climate action, low carbon development, environment, pollution, and sustainable energy.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language and the local language (Arabic) is an asset.
• In-depth knowledge and expertise in global policy discourse on sustainability climate, sustainable energy and environmental issues.
• Understanding of the political discourse and financing around climate, and how it relates to country programming.
• Ability to work seamlessly across the organization, including in divisions outside Programme Group, in a coherent and coordinated manner for success on the ground and linked to negotiations and political advocacy.
• Children's rights and gender equity in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation and low carbon development and/or natural resources management.

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 226,009 USD and 285,201 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, dedication.

The Associate Director, Sustainability and Climate is responsible for further developing and overseeing the implementation of UNICEF's policies, partnerships and programmes related to sustainability and climate action, including energy and environment. He/she coordinates the implementation of UNCEF’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan across the organization. On advocacy, data/evidence/research, innovation and resource mobilization, he/she works closely with lead Divisions and ensures alignment to organizational priorities. On programme policies, strategies and approaches he/she provides leadership across the Programme Group and with Regional Offices in support of Country Programmes. The Associate Director serves as the authoritative adviser within UNICEF globally and to Senior Management, convenes organizational coordination platforms, manages thematic funds and networks, and represents the organization externally to shape global priorities and project thought leadership.

How can you make a difference?

The Associate Director, Sustainability and Climate’s will be responsible for the following key functions and accountabilities:

1. Strategy Development and Management

Sharpen, further develop and oversee the implementation of UNICEF's policies, partnerships and programmes related to sustainability and climate action, including energy and environment. Support the Director of Programme Group in coordinating the implementation of UNCEF’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan across the organization.

2. Programme Excellence

Convene PG teams and RO and COs to ensure excellence in programme strategy, design and implementation across all Goal Areas related to climate mainstreaming as well as in areas of programmatic leadership. Leverage the Global Technical Team in this regard and to address emerging issues and make effective linkages between data/research/evidence and programme strategies. Report on progress and propose solutions to address major gaps.

3. Senior Management Support and Representation

Serve as UNICEF’s authoritative adviser on Sustainability and Climate technical issues for the field and HQ which includes recommendations to senior management on the organization’s positions. Convenes organizational coordination platforms and represents the organization externally to shape global priorities and project thought leadership.

4. Global Advocacy, data/evidence, research and innovation

Work closely with lead Divisions as part of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan to ensure alignment to organizational priorities of the advocacy, data/evidence/research and innovation components of the agenda. Using the GTT, effectively coordinate workplans across Divisions for a strategic use of resources.

5. Mobilization and management of resources

Coordinate mobilization, allocation and disbursement of CEE thematic funds, ensuring that these funds are allocated to organizational CEE priorities in coordination with regional and country offices. Institute and oversee mechanisms for effective tracking and reporting of results from these funds. Working with PPD and PFP, develop investment cases to attract funding (including innovative finance) in support of UNICEF sustainability and climate programming.

6. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Provide strategic direction and develop partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with internal and external partners and serve as UNICEF’s external representative on these issues. Partners will include (but are not limited to) key internal stakeholders, other UN and multilateral entities, government representatives, private and non-governmental organizations, academics, business leaders, and individual supporters of UNICEF.

7. Effectively leading the team and convening the Global Technical Team

Establish the CEE teams’ annual work plan, set priorities and targes, and monitor work progress to ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance. Ensure duty of care and the respect of CRITAS values in the team. Facilitate and convene the Global Technical Team around relevant time bound sprints to drive the sustainability and climate agenda forward.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:

An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in environment, energy or climate change, or other relevant disciplines.

Experience:

A minimum of 13 years of relevant progressively responsible work experience focused on developing countries, of which 6-8 years focus on areas related to development cooperation in sustainability, climate action, low carbon development, environment, pollution, and sustainable energy.

Experience working with and on climate financing will be considered an asset.

Experience working for international organizations such as the United Nations is desirable.

Experience working in a developing country is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language and the local language (Arabic) is an asset.

Technical Knowledge:

In-depth knowledge and expertise in:

• Global policy discourse on sustainability climate, sustainable energy and environmental issues,
• Understanding of the political discourse and financing around climate, and how it relates to country programming.
• Ability to work seamlessly across the organization, including in divisions outside Programme Group, in a coherent and coordinated manner for success on the ground and linked to negotiations and political advocacy.
• Climate change impacts, climate risk assessments, and adaptation solutions.
• Greenhouse gas emissions and low carbon development solutions, especially related to essential services and sustainable energy.
• Children's rights and gender equity in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation and low carbon development and/or natural resources management.
• Influencing policy at the global, national and subnational levels
• CEE-related funding streams, platforms, and major partners.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Commitment
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships (III)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (III)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (III)
• Innovates and embraces change (III)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (III)
• Thinks and acts strategically (III)
• Works collaboratively with others (III)
• Nurtures, leads and manages people (III)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

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.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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 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.

Potential interview questions