Climate Change 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.

Rwanda faces significant impacts from climate change, being the 29th most vulnerable and 94th least ready country. Average temperatures rose 1.4°C to 2.6°C from 1971 to 2016, with increased extreme rainfall, shorter and more intense rainy seasons, and more frequent droughts in some regions. These changes exacerbate landslides, erosion, flooding, and droughts across the country. Recognizing these risks, Rwanda has committed to climate resilience and low-carbon development through international agreements and national strategies. The young population, particularly children, are highly susceptible to climate impacts, with nearly 90% of climate-related disease burdens affecting children under five. In this context, UNICEF Rwanda is implementing several initiatives aimed at strengthening climate resilience for children. To support these initiatives, there is a pressing need to deploy additional technical assistance on climate change and environment. The main purpose of this assignment is to enhance the capacities of the UNICEF Rwanda Country Office and its partners to strengthen climate resilience for children in Rwanda. The assignment is designed to align with “A Liveable Planet for Every Child - UNICEF’s Strategy for Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction-2022-2030.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), the UNV will provide technical, analytical, and knowledge management support to the country office in the design and implementation of climate, environment, energy and disaster risk reduction (CEED) programmes. S/he will also assist with advocacy, resource mobilisation and engagement with youth-led engagements that help accelerate and scale up priority CEED interventions in Rwanda. More specifically, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: (i) Support evidence generation through conducting analysis and generating relevant information on the impacts of climate change on children in Rwanda; (ii) Support preparation of policy briefs and analytical papers for advocacy with governments and partners to put children and young people first in their sustainability plans, budgets and actions toward a green transition; (iii) Provide technical support for strengthening integration of linkages between climate change, DRR and children's needs in the NST-2 and other key national development policies and plans; (iv) Work with Child Protection, Education, Health & Nutrition, Social Policy, WASH and other sections to identify opportunities, solutions and concrete actions to address climate change and environmental degradation, and reduce climate impact on children; (v) Support implementation and monitoring of UNICEF Rwanda’s climate change, environment and DRR related interventions;
(vi) Support expansion of green energy use and applications in UNICEF programmes and operations; (vii) Support development of concept notes/funding proposals to mobilise additional resources for climate change and environment related interventions, especially for green climate fund and other climate financing instruments; (viii) Support building of new partnerships (including, inter-alia, with NGOs, research institutions, development partners, and private and public sectors institutions) to address climate and environmental risks and disasters with strong focus on children; (ix) Support capacity building of line government agencies, NGOs and private institutions to better understand climate risks with focus on children, the green transition, as well as ways to build resilience to disasters and longer-term climate and environmental shocks; (x) Support engagement of children and youth in ensuring that the voices, perspectives and ide-as of children and young people are heard, and that they have the education and skills necessary to be agents of change in their communities; (xi) Support documentation of good practices and lessons learned on child-sensitive climate change and environment related interventions; (xii) Support effective coordination of UNICEF RCO’s engagement in CEED within and out-side UNICEF; and (xiii) Represent UNICEF in the meetings of environment and climate change sector working group, development partners’ climate change working group and environment and other related areas.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams

(i) Climate change, environment, clean energy, climate finance, DRR in developing country context; (ii) Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management; (iii) Proactive and resourceful, with good communication skills in negotiating and liaising with counterparts and partners; (iv) Excellent organizational and analytical skills; (v) Fluency in English both in verbal and written; and (vi) Good skills in computer applications; especially Word, Excel and Power Point.

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, has experienced remarkable rejuvenation and stability, evident upon arrival in the city. While motorcycle taxis are the fastest mode of transport, they're not recommended without your own helmet, though some provide helmets. Standard taxis, marked with yellow stripes, are another option, with many operated by Kigali Taxi Service or Kigali Airport Taxis. Public transportation is affordable and efficient, with new and well-maintained buses available, and prepaid cards can be purchased at bus stations. Rental cars are also available due to significant investment in infrastructure, leading to minimal congestion. Accommodations in Kigali are readily available and meet relevant standards, with recreational facilities like swimming pools also accessible. Shopping options include various shops and markets offering essential items, imported goods, home furnishings, electrical appliances, and vehicle spare parts. The city boasts both public and private health facilities, such as King Faisal Hospital and Legacy Clinic, equipped to handle emergencies and affiliated with CIGNA insurance. Kigali is considered exceptionally safe, with emergency numbers like 999 for police, 111 for fire fighters, and 112 for general emergencies, and 113 for traffic accidents. For volunteers, the UNV Programme offers monthly living allowance covering basic needs like housing, utilities, transportation, and communication. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service.