Individual International Consultant- Researcher/writer on climate, energy and environment issues and child rights

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, a future.

Please visit UNICEF Sierra Leone website here: www.unicef.org/sierraleone

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Assignment:

UNICEF Sierra Leone is planning to commission a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC), examining the baseline situation of climate, energy and environment-related issues affecting children and how they relate to UNICEF's priority sectors. The report will look at stakeholders, government policies and relevant Government and partner support climate change and environmental protection related programmes in Sierra Leone, overall and in specific sectors. It will provide a better understanding on the actual and likely future impact of climate change and environmental degradation on children and social service sectors. Consequently, it will provide recommendations on how UNICEF Sierra Leone could further incorporate and strengthen work on climate, energy, and environment-related issues in its country programme. Evidence generated by the analysis is expected to contribute to explore climate financing opportunities.

Objectives of the Assignment:

The international consultant will take the lead in producing a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) for Sierra Leone, supported by a national consultant. The international consultant will be responsible for collecting, compiling, and reviewing key resources and coordinating the information gathering and review processes. In close cooperation with the national consultant, she/he will undertake key informant interviews with key national stakeholders as well as consultations with adolescents on the topic. The international consultant will take the lead in preparing the final report of the study. Although supported by a national consultant in identifying stakeholders and compiling key document, the international consultant will retain responsibility for the overall quality of deliverables.

Scope of Work:

1. Compile and systematize evidence and research related to climate change, energy, and environment (CEE) issues in Sierra Leone.

• Compile and systematize literature related to the climate, environment and energy situation in the country and the impact of CEE issues on children and social sector delivery mechanisms in Sierra Leone Review Government responses to/priorities on CEE and analyse how child inclusive existing CEE policies, strategies and programmes are child responsive.
• Identify and compile information on past, present/ongoing or planned programmes related to energy, environment, and climate change and stakeholders active in these fields in Sierra Leone. This should include a review of on-going donor supported climate risk management financing initiatives in the country overall and specifically as it responds to child needs and UNICEF covered sectors.
• Identify and collect data and information from government ministries, development partners, UN and community based organizations to fill gaps to better understand the situation and needs of children in a changing climate in Sierra Leone at present or under future climate situations to inform action related to climate change, environment, and energy issues.

2. Report writing

• Lead a consultation with adolescents on CEE related issues to reveal how they affect their lives, including preparing research tools (considering also 'left behind' children, e.g. migrant children, children living with disability and illness etc.).
• Finalize a comprehensive report incorporating input and feedback of stakeholders, and the proposal of a CEE policy approach for UNICEF with associated strategies and sector-specific recommendations.

3. Overall editorial support

• Fact checking, editing, and checking of references as needed.
• Coordinate the internal and external review process and the incorporation of comments.

4. Administrative and planning support

• Coordination of the overall work as well as the part covered by the national consultant.
• Brief training of UNICEF staff on CEE notions and CEE-informed programming.

Deliverables:

• Hold inception meetings to define work plan and methodology for study.
• Key national documents compiled, including policies, programmes concerning CEE, as well as identification of data and research gaps regarding children and CEE issues affecting them in Sierra Leone.
• Key stakeholders in the field of climate change, energy, and environment in Sierra Leone, and those directly addressing children's issues identified.
• Interviews conducted with UNICEF programme sections.
• Stakeholder interviews held with government, development partners and UN agencies.
• Consultation held with adolescents on climate change.
• Brief training of UNICEF staff on CEE notions and CEE-informed programming conducted.
• CLAC report drafted in line with global CLAC guidance highlighting the national policy framework, the specific issues facing children due to climate change and environmental degradation and recommendations for better incorporating climate change in the country programme. The report shall include a comprehensive chapter on climate financing and partnership options against the backdrop of existing programmes and needs.
• Report finalized incorporating stakeholder feedback.
• 4-page brief produced presenting the main findings from the report in infographic and engaging language, incl. separately key data set in response to climate financing needs (details to be discussed).

Please see attached ToR for detailed information TOR International Consultant researcher writer on climate energy and environment issues and child rights .pdf

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

• Advanced university degree (Masters) in climate change, environmental science, natural resource management, meteorology, social and economic development, or related areas. Alternatively, a degree in communications or journalism with demonstrated expertise on environment related issues can also be considered.
• At least 8 years' experience in international development with research and analysis on climate change and environment related topics and their impact on communities and children
• Understanding of the international climate change action set up incl. main players for risk financing
• Excellent research skills required
• Demonstrated expertise in child rights or any of UNICEF's main areas of work (health, WASH, nutrition, child protection, social policy, education, gender, HIV/AIDS)
• Good understanding of key climate risk financing opportunities incl. at least basic understanding of Green Climate Fund Readiness window opportunities
• Ability to coordinate, convene stakeholders and report in a timely manner.
• Excellent organizational skill, service-mind, punctual, self-motivated, proactive, reliable and demonstrated ability to work in harmony with government, private sector and staff members of different national backgrounds.
• Excellent Team working skills incl. some supervisory experience
• Respect for the principles of UNICEF.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Strong communication skills including and presentation skills.
• Proven capability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, 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.

Consultants and Individual contractors are responsible for paying any taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF.

• Application to include financial proposal that will detail your daily/monthly rate (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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.