Climate change and Environment Senior Expert

Contract

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

Climate change, water scarcity, energy access and environmental degradation are equity issues, with children and young people often being the most vulnerable and affected. Globally, millions of children are affected by conflict and fragility, climate change, natural hazards and air pollution. Addressing the root causes is therefore vital for building a more sustainable future for children, and it is imperative that actions are integrated into UNICEF programming in Brazil.

In order to contribute to the mitigation of the impacts on children and adolescents in Brazil, UNICEF has undertaken several works recently, including:

(i) Development of a Theory of Change led by the Climate Change Team, including a series of products and the CLAC (criancas-adolescentes-e-mudancas-climaticas-brasil-2022.pdf (unicef.org)) (ii) Various programmatic commitments, including the engagement of adolescents in the Green Jobs Agenda (iii) Specific engagement on indigenous peoples, including humanitarian and development actions in the Amazon Territory.

According to the study Children's Climate Risk Index (UNICEF, 2021), more than two billion children worldwide are exposed to more than one climate/environmental risk, shock or stress. In the case of Brazil, more than 40 million children and adolescents are exposed to more than one of the risks analyzed in the study, which represents almost 60% of children and adolescents in the country.

Considering the effects of the climate crisis and the groups that are already most affected by it, UNICEF has been designing strategies aimed at contributing to the positioning of children and adolescents as an absolute priority in the climate agenda through adolescent engagement strategies at the municipal level, initiatives targeting adolescents and youth from traditional peoples, strengthening of youth and climate networks in the Amazon and the development of green skills and competencies.

In order to monitor the impact of environmental changes on children, UNICEF is planning to create a Children's Environmental Health Index and a municipal tool with the index for each Brazilian municipality.

The UN Volunteer will contribute to the institutional strengthening of UNICEF its work in the area of children, adolescents, climate change and environment, with a specific focus on indigenous and traditional peoples, supporting the Brazil Office in the expansion of strategic lines of action related to climate change (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Education , communication and Adolescent engagement).

The UN Volunteer will report to the WASH-CEED manager in Brazil for supervision and will interface with the Deputy Representative and with the UNICEF Climate Change Working Group and the Focal Point for Indigenous Issues with the aim of coordinating a coherent strategy around Children, Adolescents, the Environment and Climate Change. She/he will undertake the following activities:

• Provide technical support for UNICEF interventions related to Climate Change and Environment, ensuring strategic coherence and effectiveness of the overall portfolio • Lead and provide specialized technical assistance on UNICEF’s strategic engagement on climate policies for children with federal, state and municipal counterparts, both governmental and non-governmental actors; • Assess climate finance gaps and opportunities for children and develop advocacy and policy actions to ensure that the needs of children and adolescents are adequately integrated in national and regional climate financing • Support evidence generation initiatives and develop knowledge products • Constantly map out bottlenecks, barriers and opportunities to strengthen the Climate Change and Environment agenda • Provide technical and administrative support to the preparation of events • Assist in capacity building activities • Report regularly and timely the ongoing initiatives and results achieved • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisors

KEY COMPETENCES Creates and maintains partnerships; Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; Drive to achieving achieve results for impact; Innovates and embraces change; Manages ambiguity and complexity; Think and acts strategically; Works collaboratively with others.

CORE VALUES 1. Care 2. Respect 3. Integrity 4. Trust 5. Accountability

Environment related programs, of which at least two years of experience in the field of Climate Change; • Have affinity with or interest in child rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System; • Advanced knowledge of the UNFCCC conventions, treaties and National Climate Change and Environment commitments and strategies will be considered an asset; • Experience working with child rights, public policy analysis will be consider an asset; • Experience with indigenous population will be an asset; • Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization will be considered an asset

The assignment will be in Brasília, the Federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.