Individual Contractor to support UNICEF’s work on young people’s advocacy on Climate Change in Nepal (Nepalese Nationals Only)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, an advocate.

Amplifying climate change advocacy is a key area of UNICEF work with 760,000 adolescents engaging in climate change solutions in 55 County Offices in 2020. An example is Mongolia, where adolescents are contributing their insight, time, and knowledge to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution as Air Pollution Youth Mappers, engaging in data collection activities to document the adverse effects of air pollution levels in the city, developing community maps of air pollution, and promoting awareness and advocating for policy change to tackle air pollution.

UNICEF Nepal country office (NCO) is stepping up on its work on youth led climate change advocacy through supporting young activist’s capacity building, coordination and facilitating a sit at the table where policies/strategies and programmes relative to climate change (NDC, NAP and similar) are developed and/or implemented.

Against this backdrop, UNICEF NCO intends to contract a young part time consultant (female preferred) with experience on advocacy for climate change to coordinate the advocacy work of young activists and support their capacity building and engagement for advocacy on climate change policies.

How can you make a difference?

The youth consultant is expected to contribute for the following;

• Institutional mechanism for representation and voice of children and youths in policy and decision-making process and institutions.
• Government commitment for right of child/pledge to uphold priorities identified by children and youths.
• Formal and informal network of youths for collaboration on raising the voices and concerns of children and youths as and when needed.

Likewise, the consultancy will contribute to implement advocacy strategy/plan being developed at NCO level. The consultant will build on from the work handed over by previous consultant

Tasks:

1. Takeover and work-plan development:

The consultant will get brief orientation from NCO and HQ. S/he will also take over from the previous youth consultant. S/he will further prepare and finalize detail work-plan with NCO focal point.

2. Study and drafting strategy and action plan on the prioritized agenda for advocacy:

Participate in relevant training/workshop module/events organized by HQ/ROSA/NCO. S/he will also conduct detail study on the prioritized 1-2 youth led advocacy agenda Networking with other youth led organization and network along with national youth council. Meeting of coordination team for strategy and action plan on prioritized advocacy agenda. Detail preparation for implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan

3. Implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan initiated:

Participate in relevant training/workshop module/events organized by HQ/ROSA/NCO. Meeting of coordination team for review and plan for higher level action on prioritized advocacy agenda. Coordination with peers at international level for Pre-COP 27 events. Advocacy for government decision for declaration on Children and Youth and Climate Action. Initiate implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan

4. Implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan continued:

Participate in relevant training/workshop module/events organized by HQ/ROSA/NCO. Meeting of coordination team for progress review and plan for higher level action on prioritized advocacy agenda. COP 27 related events in coordination with peers at national and international level. Continue implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan

(Announcement of election by the government of Nepal for 20 Nov 2022.Election code of conduct to be considered)

5. Advocacy on institutional mechanism for participation of youths in policy and planning forums:

Meeting of coordination team for progress review and plan for higher level action on prioritized advocacy agenda. Sharing of COP outcomes to youths. Coordination with youths in Karnali and Sudurpaschim. Continue implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan. Advocacy for institutional mechanism for participation of youths in policy and planning forums

6. Promoting youth led advocacy for climate action at the local/provincial level:

Capacity building of children and youths in Karnali and Sudurpaschim for advocacy on climate action. Backstop in local/province level campaigns for child and youth friendly climate action. Submit six-monthly/completion report

Deliverables:

First Deliverables

Handover-takeover note

Work-plan agreed by NCO focal point

Second Deliverables

Notes from the detail study of at least one advocacy agenda

Draft strategy and action plan on the prioritized advocacy agenda prepared

Third Deliverables

Implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan initiated along with contribution to pre-CoP preparation/Government decision for declaration on Children and Youth and Climate Action

Fourth Deliverables

Event reports. Implementation of the advocacy strategy and action plan continued tying up with COP 27 (8-20 Nov 2022) related youth campaigns national/international

Fifth Deliverables

Event reports. Government commitment/ decision on institutional mechanism for participation of youths in policy and planning forums

Sixth Deliverables

Event reports and other evidence of local/province level backstopping for advocacy on child friendly climate action

Six monthly/final completion report

Duration: The consultancy is for the period of 60 working days over the period of six months, tentatively starting from early September 2022

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Minimum Qualifications required:

Bachelor’s degree in any of the following field.

DRR/management/Environment science/social science/urban planning

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least Bachelor’s degree in Environment science/forestry/agriculture or any other related subject.
• Good understanding of climate change and disaster along with their impacts and concern for children and youths.
• At least 2 years of formal/informal experience working in environment, climate change, natural resource management or disaster risk reduction.
• Past engagement in child and youth related institution (like child or eco-clubs/networks) or extra-curricular activities.
• High enthusiasm and career motivation in abovementioned sectors.
• Problem solving and result orientated.
• Fluent in English and Nepali communication.
• Strong rapport and network building skills for collective action
• Communication & Leadership
• Creative and analytical skills for writing, presentations and reporting

Financial Proposal

Applicants are required to submit their financial proposals/professional fees in Nepali NPR.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

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.

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.

NOTE: Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic/caste groups are strongly encouraged to apply.