Climate Change Associate

Volunteering Environment

Overview

Support resilient WASH services amid climate change in Côte d'Ivoire.

You have:

• Demonstrated interest or experience in resilient WASH systems and water scarcity challenges in the context of climate change
• Experience supporting policy development, research, or advocacy on climate and WASH-related issues
• Experience in multi-sectoral collaboration with government, development partners, or technical groups
• Experience in data collection, reporting, and monitoring of climate change adaptation or WASH interventions
• Engagement in academic projects, fieldwork, or volunteer initiatives related to climate, water, or sanitation

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Côte d’Ivoire faces multiple challenges in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, varying rainfall patterns, coastal erosion, water resource pollution and rapid urbanization affect sustainable access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation services. It is therefore imperative to revise WASH programming strategies to consider the risks associated with climate change and water scarcity to ensure resilient and sustainable WASH services. In this context, UNICEF is working with all relevant stakeholders in Côte d’Ivoire to strengthen the “WASH sector resilience to climate change”, by launching an evidence-based multi-sectoral process that would result in the prioritization of WASH solutions that are resilient to climate change and water scarcity, including adaptation options. To support this ongoing process and implement the recommendations, the recruitment of a young United Nations International Volunteer (UNV) Associate is required. The interventions in which the volunteer will participate are part of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and UNICEF cooperation programme. Thus, the volunteer will collaborate with the implementing partners of the country programme of cooperation both at the national and decentralized levels. The country programme of cooperation between the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and UNICEF is composed of the following programme components: (i) Health-HIV and Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, (ii) Nutrition, (iii) Education, (iv) Child Protection; (v) Social Policies and Adolescents and Youth and (vi) Programme Effectiveness. The team counts several multisectoral units such as Planning, Monitoring, Data and Research, External Communication, Social Behavior Change, and Emergency Coordination and Resilience, as well as two Field Offices with multi-sectoral expertise. The ongoing cycle of cooperation 2026-230 is marked by a major “programmatic shift” including the integration of climate change into programming, which is a new and transversal area for the entire office.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief WASH, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Contribute to the formulation of proposals for the mobilization of green climate funds • Contribute to the development of periodic reports on the relevance of WASH climate resilient solutions • Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH and climate change, to support programme implementation. • Support the monitoring of WASH outputs indictors and related projects • Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administra-tive and other assets), • Contribute to the implementation of My Green School concept • Participate in the meetings of the Technical Working Group “Resilience of the WASH sector to climate change.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. This plan will include regular meetings with the supervisor to review progress and receive feedback on performance against agreed objectives. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually endorsed by both the UN Volunteer and the supervisor.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 12 months) in:

• Resilient WASH systems and water scarcity challenges in the context of climate change • Supporting policy development, research, or advocacy on climate and WASH-related issues • Multi-sectoral collaboration with government, development partners, or technical groups • Data collection, reporting, and monitoring of climate change adaptation or WASH interventions • Engagement in academic projects, fieldwork, or volunteer initiatives related to climate, water, or sanitation

Skills: The UNICEF core values of (i) care, (ii) respect, (iii) integrity, (iv) trust, (v) accountability and (vii) sustainability, together with the competency framework, provide a guide for our behaviours in our daily interactions. • A good analytical and problem-solving skills. • Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the capacity to produce clear and concise reports. • Adaptability, flexibility, and commitment to continuous learning. • Demonstrated integrity, ethics, and respect for diversity in professional interactions. • Capacity for knowledge sharing and collaborative work.

Côte d'Ivoire is in West Africa. It is bordered to the northwest by Mali, to the northeast by Burkina Faso, to the east by Ghana, to the southwest by Liberia, to the west by Guinea and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean. The population is estimated at over 30 million inhabitants. Côte d'Ivoire's official language is French, and its currency is the CFA franc. Its political and administrative capital is Yamoussoukro, but almost all the institutions are in Abidjan, its main economic center with over 6 million inhabitants or about 20% of the country's population. Abidjan has a humid and dry tropical climate with a long rainy season from March to July, a short rainy season from September to December and three dry months (January, February and August). Houses/apartments are readily available and usually have electricity and running water, but water service and electricity can be interrupted occasionally. House costs are reasonable but vary by location. Common illnesses include malaria, yellow fever, typhoid and meningitis. Food and dietary needs of all kinds are found in the many supermarkets. There are markets that stock fruits and vegetables, and bakeries offer pastries and breads. Fresh fish and meats are also readily available. Côte d’Ivoire offers an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions, involving physical hardship and few comforts, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: unv.org