Climate and Environment Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Therefore, climate change and environmental degradation are considered as a priority area for UNICEF Tajikistan. To further examine the baseline situation of climate, energy and environment-related issues, including disaster risk reduction, affecting children in Tajikistan, UNICEF initiated evidence generating exercises. Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) and the Children’s Climate Risk Index -Disaster Risk Model initiative (CCRI-DRM) are currently being undertaken in Tajikistan to help identify the country needs and priorities that can be included in the Government’s and UNICEF’s strategies and plans across sectors. In 2023, UNICEF launched the Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030 (SCAP), a global commitment to ensure a sustainable world and protect the most vulnerable children from the worst impacts of a changing climate and degrading environment. Climate change, disaster risk and environmental degradation (CEED) are addressed as integral components of the UNICEF Strategic Plan (SP), 2022–2025. In alignment with global and regional strategies, CEED has been identified as priority area for UNICEF programming in Tajikistan and commenced implementing several CEED interventions. Hence, UNICEF Tajikistan is seeking a national expert (UNV) to support UNICEF Country Office in implementing CEED interventions.

Under the direct supervision of Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR (CEED) Specialist and with secondary reporting line to the Emergency Specialist, Climate and Environment Expert will support UNICEF’s work towards addressing CEED issues that affect children in Tajikistan. The expert will support partnership consultation and engagement, leveraging and strengthening UNICEF’s existing collaboration networks and partnerships with government and development partners. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work on programme development and advancing programme implementation together with government partners and UNICEF programme colleagues (e.g health and nutrition, social protection, education, WASH, innovation, social and behaviour change, gender, adolescent engagement).

Under the direct supervision of Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR (CEED) Specialist and with secondary reporting line to the Emergency Specialist, the National UNV Expert will undertake the following tasks:

Research, evidence generation and knowledge management. - Support the generation, collecting and systematizing of evidence on climate change impacts on children and child-critical social services. This includes supporting and overseeing completion of ongoing evidence generating exercises (Children’s Climate Landscape Analysis, and Children’s Climate Risk Index-Disaster Risk Model - Co-lead the development of analysis and monitoring system(s) to further strengthen the evidence on key climate- and environment threats affecting children and child-critical social services, focusing on CCRI-DRM outcomes. - Supporting the development of knowledge products on climate, energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction, including drafting policy briefs, guides, investment cases and reports. - Support the development of contextualized guidance and recommendations for child-sensitive climate and environment, DRR and energy policies, including, but not limited to, NDC, NAP, National Communication and BUR to the UNFCCC. - Provide research support regarding environmental and climate education and climate-resilient social services. - Lead, review, develop and/or contextualize child- and youth-friendly learning on climate, energy, environment and DRR issues, including review of national curricula. - Lead the development of child-friendly versions of key national climate change documents. - Assist with the documentation and publicity of the work of youth-led climate projects and environment actors. - Assist with developing creative and engaging messages and communication materials in conjunction with climate and environment designated international days, each with a theme or topic;

Programme Development and implementation. - Support fundraising on climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, by supporting development of concept notes and proposal, in line with UNICEFs mandate and national commitments towards the Paris Agreement (NDC/NAP). - Co-lead and oversee implementation of climate and environment work plans with partners (e.g., Committee for Environmental Protection) - Co-lead the implementation of climate-related campaigns in collaboration with Government partners and produce communication, outreach and visibility materials on climate change. - Support to Early Warning for All initiative. - Support and liaise with Programme section focal points on planning, implementation and reporting progress towards climate-focused indicators and provide technical support as needed. - Document and analyze existing experience of climate programming in Tajikistan (e.g. Comprehensive School Safety Framework in schools, Shock-Responsive social protection, youth engagement, climate-resilient WASH in hospitals/schools). - Document and analyze existing initiatives and programme on school-based climate and environmental education and community awareness, and identify partnership opportunity - Co-lead organization and facilitation of UNICEF’s internal CEED Taskforce meeting

Engagement of Adolescents and Youth - Work closely with programe sections, develop child and adolescent friendly package of learning and action materials. - Supervise content creation to activate and engage with youth in climate actions and movements in Tajikistan, using innovative communication tools such as TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. - Facilitate participation of children and adolescents in national and sub-national policy and planning processes. - Work with partners to strengthen the capacities of youth in climate and environment to become climate and environmental champions. - Support youth advocates’ communication products and campaigns on climate change.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Working in Teams

climate change adaptation, mitigation, climate change education, Disaster Risk Reduction or environmental protection or other relevant areas.

Area(s) of expertise: Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction, Development Program or other relevant field.

• Demonstrated experience in Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction • Proven technical expertise in data analysis, quantitative and qualitative research Research, evidence generation and knowledge management in areas of climate, environment, energy and disaster risk. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; • ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; • familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; • ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

The Republic of Tajikistan is located in the south-east of Central Asia. The total territory is 143.1 thousand square kilometres. The population is around 10 million people. The currency unit is Somoni introduced in October 2000. The geography of the Republic of Tajikistan is mountainous with heights above sea level varying between 300 and 7495 meters. Mountains belonging to the highest ranges of Central Asia make up 93% of the total area of the country. UNICEF operates from Dushanbe, the national capital of Tajikistan, located along the Varzob River in the Gissar valley, in the southwest of the country. Dushanbe has a population of about 1 million inhabitants. It is a family friendly duty station. Official language is Tajik (a variant of Persian; Farsi), while Russian is widely used. Dushanbe is a clean, European-style city. The city is located at 820 meters above sea level and has wide tree-lined streets with plenty of cafés to enjoy coffee or tea with local sweets. Dushanbe is the financial, political, administrative, and cultural capital of Tajikistan. All Government offices and Embassies are located in Dushanbe. The overall Security Level for Tajikistan, including Dushanbe where UN personnel resided is low. The threat rating of the Crime category is moderate. The general crime situation is assessed as moderate and is under control by law enforcement agencies. The number of registered crimes in Tajikistan during the current year decreased by 6.8% from the corresponding period of the previous year (2022).

As of April 2024 national UN Volunteer Specialists in Tajikistan receive USD 497/month as their Volunteer Living Allowance. Other benefits include:

1. Pre-assignment Entry lump sum - USD 400 (one time payment) Relocation costs - USD 200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)

2. During assignment Volunteer living allowance - USD 497 Learning - Access to UNV's learning and career development resources and participation in an assignment preparation training provided by UNV Annual leave - 2.5 days per month Insurance - Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents . See the Conditions of Service for more details on eligibility criteria.

3. End of assignment Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment)

The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos