Climate, Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction

Children and adolescents are subject to risks of environmental, social and health impacts due to climate change (https://www.unicef.org/reports/climate-crisis-child-rights-crisis) A systematic and rapid scale-up of climate-resilient services and investments for children, adolescents, women and other members of affected communities are urgently needed to mitigate such risks.

As part of the UNICEF Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and UNICEF Climate Action Plan (A Liveable Planet for Every Child) three objectives have been identified for our work on climate, that are rooted in UNICEF’s comparative advantages:

1. Improving the resilience of children and their communities by adapting essential social services to a changing climate, disasters and a degrading environment;
2. Empowering every child with the education, skills and opportunities to be a champion for the planet;
3. Driving sustainability within UNICEF and our global network of partners, government and suppliers.

In addition, to accelerate progress on climate resilience and adaptation, we must ensure that multiple sectors contribute to broader outcomes including through UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.

UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) has a programming focus on the climate and environment crisis and aims to ensure that vulnerable communities are reached. The UNV will provide critical support in accelerating results in UNICEF’s overall climate agenda with a key focus on youth engagement, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate resilience. In particularly, the UNV will support Governments in the Eastern Caribbean to mainstream child-sensitive climate and DRR evidence into national and subnational policies/ plans, and make the implementation of those policies and plans more effective for children and youth.

The UNV will contribute towards bridging the development/humanitarian nexus with a specific focus on DRR, climate and environment action and resilience.

The UNV will support to strengthen UNICEF’s overall support to DRR, climate and environment in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), providing critical support to strengthen community resilience and ensure greater awareness on climate action and the healthy future of children in the Eastern Caribbean.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks, but not limited to:

1. Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR Programming:

• Contribute to UNICEF regional and global initiatives to advance DRR, climate change adaptation / mitigation, and resilience.
• Support implementation of the CLAC action plan – at country office level; and assist in the identification of data gaps, programme gaps.
• Support the mainstreaming of climate change and DRR in UNICEF-key sectors (child protection, education, social policy/social protection and WASH) within UNICEF and with Government counterparts and other partners through assisting in capacity building, the development of tools and approaches, and the integration into country programme planning and monitoring processes.
• Support the Caribbean Safe School Initiative (CSSI) by assisting in the conceptualization and implementation of climate resilient infrastructure.

2. Children and Youth Engagement:

• Support advocacy platforms that allow young people to voice their needs and priorities as it relates to DRR, climate change and resilience such as the Youth SIDs Conference in 2024
• Support UNICEF’s engagement on climate sensitive / child sensitive politics, including child friendly versions. Assists Governments to ensure that national climate policies and plans are child-inclusive, multi-sectorial and participatory.
• Assist with country priority mapping based on National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), seeking ways to involve children and young people to influence the NCDs and NAPs with different UNICEF programmatic areas.
• Support advocacy efforts with Government/s for increased investment on child-centred climate and environment efforts and DRR in collaboration with partner agencies and play a leading role in policy discussions related to resilience to promote child-sensitive elements.
• Contributes to youth engagement initiatives with colleagues from other units and divisions, including advocacy.

3. Risk-informed Data and Knowledge Management:

• Support the monitoring of climate change and resilience indicators, participating in regular M&E and reporting, reviews, and evaluations to assess results/consistency and support trends analysis such as assisting with the Children’s Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment Model (CCDRM) initiative.
• Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective programme design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, focused on climate change and resilience.

4. Partnership Development & Resource Mobilization:

• Jointly identifying opportunities for programmes to support the development of key national climate priorities and financing opportunities.
• Support with advocacy, leveraging partnerships and resources for children in DRR, climate and resilience, contributing towards to achievements of results for children.
• Assist with partnership development to catalyse the operationalization of the child engagement strategy (COP, acceleration lab, and innovations rollout/nature heroes).

​​☒​Accountability ​​☒​Adaptability and Flexibility ​​☒​Building Trust ​​☒​Client Orientation ​​☒​Commitment and Motivation ​​☒​Commitment to Continuous Learning ​​☒​Communication ​​☒​Creativity ​​☒​Empowering Others ​​☒​Ethics and Values ​​☒​Integrity

specific fields required. However, demonstrated interest in disaster management, international relations, climate change, sustainability, clean energy, environment, youth engagement, and innovative ways of working is required. - Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Barbados is a vibrant island nation that boasts a natural beauty and hospitality, which makes it a tourist destination. It is 34 kilometres (21 miles) in length and up to 23 km (14 mi) in width, covering an area of 432 km (167 sq. mi). Barbados has a moderate security profile. Political violence is low however domestic violence and homicides are high for English speaking nations. Loss of regular income due to Covid has had an impact on rates of robbery and burglary. The main tourist and expat areas are generally safe to live and move around in, however visitors are usually advised to avoid walking (especially alone) during the night on the beach and in some inner urban areas.

Specific UN Volunteer entitlements, including insurance coverage, Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) and Deployment / Repatriation lump sums, among others, are available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Note: International Volunteers in Barbados are entitled to an additional Well-being Differential allowance.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos