Consultancy to develop UNICEF Eswatini climate-environment and sustainability strategy (2024-2029) and country advocacy paper, Mbabane, Eswatini, 55 working days (Remote/Work from home)

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant threats to children globally, jeopardizing the progress achieved in child survival and development. With over a billion children already facing extreme risks from environmental and climate hazards, urgent action is essential to adapt and build resilient, low-carbon social services. These services, including water and sanitation, healthcare, education, nutrition, social protection, and child protection, are crucial investments for children's well-being. The UNICEF Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 underscores the critical importance of addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and disaster resilience as integral components of its mission to safeguard children's rights and well-being. In line with its commitment to safeguard children worldwide, UNICEF has launched the Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan (SCAP) 2023-2030. The SCAP focuses on urgent climate action, fostering systematic change in collaboration with public and private sectors to prioritize children's needs, enhance their resilience to climate threats, and integrate sustainability and climate action both internally and externally within UNICEF. It also outlines UNICEF’s organizational response to this climate crisis and focus areas for action and partnerships – delivering the best results cannot be achieved by UNICEF working alone. Climate resilience and adaptation for children is also a priority for Est Southern Africa Regional Collaboration for Children (C4C).

Eswatini, a small landlocked nation in Southern Africa, faces significant climate risks due to its geographic location. The latest evidence indicates a rising trend in Eswatini's average temperature and substantial variations in rainfall, with droughts and floods becoming more frequent and intense. This warming and erratic rainfall pattern is projected to increase water stress and threaten food security, hydropower generation, and overall water availability, and exacerbate health issues. UNICEF in Eswatini has an office’s greening committee and has conducted a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) to initiate evidence-based, child-centric climate, environmental, and disaster reduction actions with and for children. UNICEF Eswatini has contributed to secure water access and improved resilience in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), ensure solar-powered health centers for vaccine refrigeration and continuity of service, prioritize youth-led advocacy on climate change. However, UNICEF Eswatini Country Office (ESCO) is yet to have a country level strategy aligned with the Office's priorities, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and UNICEF global SCAP and Regional Commitments for Children.

Therefore, ESCO is hiring a consultant to develop the UNICEF Eswatini climate-environment and sustainability strategy (2025-2030): a call to action on Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction – for and with Children in Eswatini and advocacy paper for ESCO to cover the period from 2025 to 2030 to guide planning and active engagement in climate change initiatives and environment sustainability efforts. This strategy will serve as a crucial guide for the ESCO’s planning and active engagement in climate change and environmental sustainability efforts within ESCO, aligning with the demands of Eswatini’s government. In addition, the consultant will adapt the “Kenya UNICEF Office Climate Change Training package” to Eswatini context to train ESCO staff and orient them on the strategy. The justification for this consultancy stems from recognizing that climate change intensifies existing vulnerabilities, impacting children's access to health, education, and protection. This initiative complements UNICEF’s Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan (SCAP), and a tailored strategy is anticipated to enhance UNICEF's effectiveness in addressing these challenges. Moreover, integrating sustainability principles into UNICEF's programme aligns with the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible resource management.

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the WASH specialist and oversight of the Chief of Child Survival and Development (CSD) and in close collaboration with ESCO team (Social Policy Specialist, Chief of LLPD, M&E specialist) and relevant Regional Office staff, the consultant will develop the climate-environment and sustainability strategy, roadmap and action plan (2025-2030) for UNICEF Eswatini Country Office, which includes relevant priority programmatic and operational actions, an internal accountability matrix, a monitoring framework, and a staff capacity development plan and country advocacy paper .

The specific tasks and deliverables are as follows:

• Assess the capacity of the Eswatini Country Office in designing, planning, and implementing climate, environment, and sustainability actions to develop a staff capacity development plan. This includes evaluating current staff skills and competencies related to climate, environment, and sustainability and identifying areas for improvement and training needs. Through: Assessment of the current internal structures and processes related to climate, environment, and sustainability; interviews and surveys among staff to assess their awareness and engagement in climate and environmental initiatives; examine past and ongoing projects and initiatives related to climate and environment to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement; Review the strategic plans and frameworks of UNICEF-Eswatini to assess the integration of climate and sustainability considerations; evaluate the office's ability to incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation into its programmatic planning; conduct SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in climate, environment, and sustainability efforts.

1.Revise and adapt the “Kenya UNICEF Office Climate Change Training package” to be used in the office-wide workshops.

2.Conduct a workshop or training session to enhance planning skills and strategies for climate and sustainability actions based on the above assessment and using the revised “Kenya UNICEF Office Climate Change Training package”.

3.Develop a comprehensive climate, environment, and sustainability strategy, roadmap and action plan (2025-2030) for the Eswatini Country Office. Develop an accountability matrix with clear roles and responsibilities. This matrix should outline the specific roles and responsibilities of UNICEF staff and partners in implementing the strategy. Identify priority actions (programme and operation) for UNICEF Eswatini Country Office. This involves reviewing existing programmes, assessing their alignment with the CLAC findings, and identifying new opportunities for impactful interventions. The strategy should inform the Office's priorities (e.g., CPD), UNSDCF and align with the SCAP and include: 1. Revision/update of the key findings from the CLAC; 2. strategic objectives for ESCO; 3. detailed action plan for the different ESCO’s programmes (health & nutrition, HIV, education, WASH, ECD, PPF4C , PME, and child protection), with initiatives to enhance children's resilience to climate impacts and to reduce environmental degradation outlining timelines, and responsible parties; 4. youth awareness raising plan & community and stakeholder engagement; 5. identified necessary systems and structures to integrate and implement climate, environment, and sustainability strategies within the Eswatini Country Office, with a focus on scalability; 6. monitoring and evaluation components (including key indicators)to track progress, to assess outcomes and impact following the integration of climate, environment, and sustainability strategies. Develop a monitoring framework with indicators, targets, and means of verification (MOV). The framework should enable effective tracking of progress and outcomes related to the strategy’s implementation. Through:

a. Desk review of the existing policies, action plans, strategies, UNICEF/UN initiatives related to sustainability and climate changes in all sectors in Eswatini, key players and existing initiatives.

b. Use the CLAC report recommendations.

c. Capacity assessment findings.

d. office-wide workshops as part of the strategy formulation process.

e. workshops or consultations to gather input from key stakeholders (government bodies, donors, civil society organizations, the private sector, communities, and youth themselves) for strategy development.

4. Identify and map eligible/potential donors for mobilize funding to scale up climate, environment, and sustainability actions.

5. Develop an advocacy paper.

Work Assignment Overview Tasks/Milestone:****Deliverables/Outputs:****Timeline****Estimate Budget (SZL)Development of the inception report including stakeholder engagement plan, working methodology/approach to achieve the tasks, detailed time schedule, milestones, checklist to incorporate feedback provided by UNICEF program specialists and stakeholdersInception report2 days Internal Assessment of UNICEF-Eswatini Country OfficeStaff capacity development plan10 daysRemote 25%Revision and adapt the “Kenya UNICEF Office Climate Change Training package” to be used in the office-wide workshops.Training package2 daysremoteConduct a workshop/training session to enhance planning skills and strategies for climate and sustainability actions using the revised “Kenya UNICEF Office Climate Change Training package”Training Report5 days25% In countryDevelop a comprehensive climate, environment, and sustainability strategy, roadmap, action plan and monitoring framework (2024-2029) for the Eswatini Country Office based on the CLAC, capacity assessment findings and internal/external consultations.Draft strategy, roadmap and action plan and monitoring framework20 daysin countrySeek feedback from internal and external stakeholders to refine and finalize the strategy.Final Strategy Documents (report, PPT presentation)5 days25% (in country)Conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify potential donors interested in supporting climate, environment, and sustainability initiatives and develop an advocacy paper.Mapping of eligible/potential donors for mobilize funding and advocacy paper10 daysRemoteDevelopment of final reportFinal report with recommendations1 day25% remoteSupervisor: Chief CSD and WASH SpecialistStart Date: 1 September 2024End Date: 31 December 2024Number of Days (working) 55 working daysMinimum Qualifications required:

Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, environmental management, public policy, international development, international relations, social sciences, or related fields

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Work experience:

• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk management, climate change, international development, and humanitarian assistance experience, preferably in the UN system, is required. Field experience is an expected asset.

• 6 years’ experience in program assessment, strategy development, advocacy, resource mobilization, and partnership building with international donors, bilateral and multilateral.

• Proven experience in the analysis and development of climate change systems and policies related to environment sustainability and climate change.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills

• Specific experience in working/liaising with donor groups at the HQ or field level is desirable.

• Knowledge and working experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Middle East region as well as experience in public-private partnerships are also assets.

• Proven knowledge of policy and budgetary decision-making processes in the Government of Eswatini.

• In-depth experience with the UN processes, inter-governmental and member states negotiations.

• Fluency in English (verbal and written).

• Positive performance record on drive for results and teamwork.

• Proven capacity to quickly absorb new information and techniques and work under tight deadlines.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 1 day ago - Updated 8 hours ago - Source: unicef.org