Consultant: Senior Climate Adviser for Humanitarian Emergencies

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

With its field presence in hard-to-reach areas, UNICEF/EMOPS supports climate-resilient, low-carbon services for all children. These efforts are among the best investments for protecting vulnerable children in humanitarian emergencies most at risk from climate change and compounded risks. The Senior Climate Adviser for Humanitarian Emergencies is expected to 1) evaluate and analyze what UNICEF offices are implementing climate-related initiatives in humanitarian emergencies, as well as map the initiatives and best practices learned. 2) Provide expert advice and technical guidance on climate policy in emergency humanitarian response, focusing on protecting and promoting the rights and well-being of vulnerable children impacted by climate change. 3) Identify and foster partnerships, especially in the lead-up to COP28 and the Loss and Damage Fund with various stakeholders, including NGOs, UN agencies, and governments, to create a coordinated response to climate-related emergencies affecting children. 4) Support capacity development within EMOPS, integrating children's rights and well-being into climate resilience and humanitarian response efforts, and contribute to knowledge management, communication, and advocacy on climate, security, and peace policy.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work:

1. Strategic Analysis and Mapping for Climate, Peace, and Security Integration Provide up-to-date analysis of the interlinkages between climate change, peace, and security to the Senior Management at EMOPS and propose steps to address these issues including identification of priority interventions and gaps in the response.

a) Conduct a comprehensive mapping of ongoing climate-related initiatives, projects, and interventions undertaken by UNICEF country and regional office in the context of humanitarian emergencies, and consolidate best practices and lessons learned.

b) Through mapping exercise, identify gaps and opportunities within UNICEF's climate response efforts and propose strategic recommendations for improvement, particularly those impacting peace and security, in policies and emergency programmes at UNICEF.

2. Advise on climate policy in emergency humanitarian response and create solutions for EMOPS to identify and implement policies and programmes to protect and promote the rights and well-being of children most vulnerable to climate change's adverse effects in humanitarian emergencies.

3. Partnerships and collaboration Identify potential partnerships and collaboration with other stakeholders, including NGOs, UN agencies, government entities, and local communities, particularly in the UNFCC, COP 28, and IASC discussions taking into consideration UNICEF’s key programme sectors (Health, Education, child protection, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).

a) Considering the needs of children in climate-affected humanitarian response, map what UN Agencies and entities are doing in the lead up to COP28 to enhance coordination.

4. Support EMOPS’ capacity development Promote the rights and well-being of children by ensuring children’s rights and interests are integrated into climate resilience policy, including in the IASC Loss and Damages Task Force and the Loss and Damages Fund, as well as any other climate funding mechanisms or guidance in the lead up to COP28 and beyond.

a) Evaluate how UNICEF contributes to sharing knowledge from the humanitarian sector on Loss and Damage within official workstreams based on the IASC principles for solutions and funding (humanity, leave no one behind, localization, urgency, balanced response, and additionality).

b) Identify areas children need to be represented in climate related funding mechanisms being discussed to the lead-up of the COP28 and the future.

c) Support EMOPS knowledge management, communication, and advocacy efforts on climate, security, and peace policy, including by recording lessons learned and good practices and contributing to the preparation of reports and other research or event activities.

d) Draft notes, background papers, talking points, speeches, and other correspondence, as needed or requested.

Work Assignments OverviewDeliverables/OutputsDelivery deadlineUp-to-date Analysis Package - Provide Senior Management at EMOPS with regular and comprehensive analysis evidenced through at least one working paper of the interlinkages between climate change, peace, and security. - The working paper could, but not limited to: - Propose actionable steps to address the identified interlinkages, including strategies for mitigation and adaptation measures. - - Identify priority interventions that need to be undertaken to address climate-related challenges in humanitarian emergencies. - Evaluate UNICEF's contribution to sharing knowledge on Loss and Damage within official workstreams, aligned with IASC principles. - Highlight gaps in the existing response strategies and recommend measures to bridge these gaps effectively.

50 days of work Comprehensive Mapping of Initiatives Package - Conduct a thorough mapping of ongoing climate-related initiatives, projects, and interventions by UNICEF country and regional offices in the context of humanitarian emergencies. - Provide a presentation on the mapping of on-going initiatives and present to Senior Management and interested staff. - Consolidate best practices and lessons learned into a working paper and present to Senior Management and interested staff. - The presentation and paper could provide, but not limited to: - Identify and consolidate best practices and lessons learned from these initiatives. - Document successful approaches and strategies for climate-related interventions that can be applied in various emergency scenarios. - Analyze the data gathered from the mapping exercise to identify gaps and opportunities within UNICEF’s climate response efforts. - Propose strategic recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and impact of UNICEF's climate-related policies and emergency programs.

40 days of work Strategic Recommendations for Improvement (throughout consultancy) Ensure that the recommendations specifically address aspects related to peace and security considerations in policies and emergency response10 days of workPartnerships and Collaboration - Identify potential collaboration opportunities and partnerships with various stakeholders including NGOs, UN agencies, government entities, and local communities. - Participate in relevant international forums such as UNFCC and COP 28 discussions to establish meaningful partnerships. - Ensure that UNICEF's core program sectors are well-represented in these collaborations.

30 days of work Coordination for COP28 and beyond - Map out and analyze the actions being taken by UN Agencies and entities leading up to COP28 to enhance coordination. - Identify specific roles and responsibilities for UNICEF in contributing to coordinated efforts. - Ensure that children's needs and rights are effectively represented in discussions and actions related to COP28. - Advocate for children's rights and interests in climate resilience policy discussions, including engagement in relevant task forces and funding mechanisms. - Identify areas where children's representation can be enhanced in climate-related funding mechanisms leading up to COP28 and beyond.

30 days of work Capacity Development - In consultation with EMOPS teams, create audience-friendly materials when 'rolling out' the relevant policies and strategies in a pro-active way to transpose knowledge and guidance to the field in a clear and effective manner.

10 days of work Climate Policy and Solutions - Provide expert advice on integrating climate policy within emergency humanitarian response. - Develop solutions and strategies that enable EMOPS to identify, formulate, and implement policies and programs to safeguard and enhance the rights and well-being of children who are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in humanitarian emergencies.

35 days of work Knowledge Management and Communication - Support EMOPS' efforts in knowledge management by recording lessons learned, good practices, and successful interventions. - Contribute to the preparation of reports, research documents, and event activities related to climate, security, and peace policy. - Assist in crafting various communication materials such as notes, background papers, talking points, speeches, and other correspondence as required.

Final ReportFinal report outlining all the work completed with links to products5 days of work

Nature of ‘Penalty Clause’ to be stipulated in Contract:

Penalties for Unsatisfactory Performance or Incomplete Assignment: Final payment of fees for this assignment will only be affected upon satisfactory completion of services to UNICEF’s satisfaction and certification to that effect by the Supervisor of this assignment.

Cost Estimations

Please include the financial proposal in USD (inclusive of all taxes).

The financial proposal shall be submitted in USD and must include the consultancy fee, the communication costs and all other individual expenses or applicable costs. The financial proposal must be broken down per deliverable.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Climate change, finance, international development, sustainable development, environmental management, or other related disciplines.
• 12+ years of experience in climate security, climate change projects, environmental assessments/management, political affairs, international relations, environmental law conflict prevention/resolution, peacebuilding, peace and security or related areas is required.
• Expertise in responding to humanitarian emergencies in complex environments is required.
• Proven track record of effectively communicating complex climate, peace, and security concepts and strategies to senior management.
• Proven track record in managing high-level relationships with partner organizations is desirable.
• Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience, and track record of engagement with senior officials (UN, government or development partners) is desirable.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a team player.
• Interest and experience working in a fast-paced working environment.
• Fluency and excellent communication and writing skills with a mastery of English and knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Competencies: Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex climate concepts and proposals.

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.