Internal/External Vacancy Announcement: WASH Specialist (Climate, Energy and Environment), P3, Maputo, Mozambique

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 106,002 USD and 138,801 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, clean water

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Mozambique and UNICEF (CPD) for 2022-2026 aims to support Mozambique to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. It derives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022–2026 and aligns with the Government Five-Year Plan 2020–2024, the National Development Strategy 2015–2035 and relevant sector policies and programmes.

For more information about UNICEF Mozambique's work please follow this link.

You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies via the UNICEF Mozambique website link herein.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF has built low-carbon, resilience building directly into its programmes through climate-smart health, education and WASH systems and a greater need to invest in resilient and sustainable systems across its public sector delivery for children. UNICEF continues to advocate for and support countries vulnerable to climate change develop, strengthen and implements child sensitive sector plans which integrate climate resilient risk management, mitigation and adaptation planning approaches. This work not only ensures that polices and plans are child sensitive, but also incorporate the voices of children and youth themselves. In addition to this, UNICEF also continues to ensure through its work that communities vulnerable to climate change are reached through the development and implementation of climate action targeted at resilience and adaptation activities for the benefit of children.

UNICEF Mozambique seeks a Climate, Energy and Environment Program Specialist role that will allow UNICEF Mozambique to scale up its activities and support the strengthening of low-carbon resilience building and development, including the use of low-carbon renewable energy in its operations and programming. The Climate, Energy and Environment (CEE) Program Specialist will report to the WASH Chief for UNICEF Mozambique, the Deputy Representative for Programmes, all section chiefs and work closely with RO section climate, energy and environment counterparts. The CEE Program Specialist will be located in Maputo, Mozambique. He or she will provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to develop and facilitate the administration and achievement of climate and environmentally sensitive output results in the country programme. In addition, the CEE Program Specialist will be required to strengthen climate responses programme delivery, monitoring and document lessons learning.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development, planning, coordination, integration, and technical and operational support to sections
2. Coordination and management of the Climate and Environment unit
3. Advocacy, evidence generation, policy, and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children
4. External partnerships, resource mobilization and linkages to regional and global efforts
5. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Programme development, planning, coordination, integration, and technical and operational support to sections

• Coordinate UNICEF engagement in the area of climate, energy and environment within UNICEF such that UNICEF progressively integrates climate change action into office programs.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance, advice and inputs to UNICEF sections (CP, Health, WASH, Education, HIV/AIDS& Adolescents, Nutrition, Operations) on all aspects of climate (mitigation, adaptation, resilience), energy and environment planning, programming and implementation.
• Support the Regional Office Climate, Energy and Environment experts in building capacity to assess, measure, and implement related policies, guidelines, tools, data frameworks, and practices related to industry standards on climate and energy solutions.
• Identify UNICEF’s niche for addressing Climate Change impacts on children, awareness raising and design of programmes supporting the rights of children and strengthening risk informed programming.
• Coordinate the formulation of the overarching narrative, climate rationales for different sections, and multi-year milestones across the Mozambique in relation to climate energy and environment, determining priorities, baselines, and performance measurements.
• Serve as the focal point and coordinator between the Mozambique Country Office and the Regional Office for developing climate finance proposals.
• Guide sections on applying UNICEF’s national, regional and global climate and environment frameworks including standards for energy capacity and sizing, by defining and adjusting a Mozambique road map, including timeline to be linked to the output results
• Guide and support the planning, development and implementation of strategic climate, energy and environment approaches, strategies and initiatives, planning and formulation of the outcomes and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification, ensuring alignment with the UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, ZCO’s annual plans and in line with government plans and priorities.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming process to ensure the achievement of results in the areas of climate, energy and environment.
• Advance synergistic cross-sectoral programming, in WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social protection and Education sectors, to ensure that climate programming has a greater impact for children.
• Ensure that UNICEF engagement in the area of climate change is well coordinated within UNICEF.

Coordination and management of the Climate and Environment team

• Coordinate and manage the Environment and Climate Change team, ensuring efficient task-oriented functioning and knowledge management.
• Ensure the Climate and Environment Team provides Secretariat support to the Mozambique Greening Team.
• In coordination with the RO Climate, Energy and Environment specialists, strengthen internal capacity and ability to collaborate and with partners on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and adaptation for vulnerable communities.

Advocacy, evidence generation, policy and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children

• Provide comprehensive and current data to inform climate related policy and programme development, planning, management and implementation climate adapted and resilient social services and infrastructure.
• Coordinate UNICEF Mozambique national, regional and global advocacy points and inputs into national policy formulation and review processes.
• Coordinate collection and development of data on UNICEF thematic areas and sectors in support of climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience through the use of low carbon renewable energy.
• Participate in strategic discussions to influence national policies and strategies, on climate energy and environment
• Support communication and policy advocacy regarding climate change, environmental degradation and child rights in Mozambique, and input into key national climate and environment policy dialogues (National Action Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions and national climate strategies).
• Provide technical guidance and policy advice to government officials, the private sector and civil society partners on climate change and environmental risks facing children as well as child-sensitive policies, strategies, and best practices.
• In coordination and partnership with UNICEF Social policy section and other UN and institutional stakeholders, support public expenditure reviews of national public/private sector climate and environment financing and budgeting.
• Support vulnerability data collection, management and assessment in line with UNICEFs key thematic areas in order to support child focused vulnerability assessment and mapping activities and enhance climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience.
• Produce materials and products for climate programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising for sustainable and climate resilient development.
• Advocate for improved child-focus of climate finance investments among partners.
• Support youth climate activism (i.e. strengthening role of Climate Youth Ambassador, youth advocacy platforms such as YOUNGO, Conference of Youth (COY), COP advocacy, etc.).

External partnerships, resource mobilization and linkages to regional and global efforts

• Develop strategic partnerships with financing and development partners, International Development Banks and the private sector to enhance, climate, energy and environment programming
• Identify partners and entry points for strategic engagement regarding climate change impact on children as well as strategic entry points for engagement with the government
• Support section focal points in the coordination and implementation of approved climate, energy and environment focused proposals by providing technical review on climate change related content and guidance on climate finance funding requirements.
• Prepare climate and environment donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global WASH strategy and the Country programme, as well as government plans and priorities.
• Work collaboratively with donors, the private sector and regional partners on climate, energy and environment programming.
• Ensure that UNICEF engagement in the area of climate change is well coordinated within and outside UNICEF and with other UN agencies.
• Support fundraising on climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in line with UNICEFs key thematic areas.
• Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve climate, energy and environment related output results.
• Build, strengthen and sustain close working and strategic partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, donor agencies, climate centres and institutions, NGOs, research institutes and the private sector to stimulate coordination and collaboration in the areas of climate resilience and sustainable energy; including active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve climate and environment-sensitive results.
• Participate in inter-agency and development partner discussions, interact with national, global and regional initiatives and partnerships for climate resilience and ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the planning and agenda setting.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programmes and management, identify and document lessons learned.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders.
• Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions.
• Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.
• Keep abreast of climate, energy and environment development trends, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Strengthen UNICEF internal capacity and ability to collaborate with partners on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and adaptation for vulnerable communities
• Develop learning and capacity building plan for Mozambique CO and facilitate a climate change training for Mozambique CO.
• Support knowledge management and sharing in the areas of including development of policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for internal and external use, in the areas climate, environment and energy.
• Develop case studies related to program implementation and climate, energy and environment integration into country strategies such as CPDs.
• Manage the implementation, monitoring and documentation including climate action research and innovation (technical or systems) whilst ensuring rigorous monitoring and wide sharing of results.
• Maintain overall knowledge on climate, energy and environment policy, institutions and programmatic activities, including the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children.
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices to support climate programming.
• Support the development of Mozambique CO investment cases using market data for renewable energy.
• Lead the professional development of UNICEF staff to ensure sector capacity remains up to date in line with the latest developments, including on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and industry standards for energy.
• Initiate and contribute to the systematic assessment of climate and environment sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in environmental sciences, climatology, geology or earth sciences, climate change, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, engineering, social and economic development, social and economic development, international cooperation or another relevant technical field is required. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement / supplement the main degree are desirable. A bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 additional relevant years can also be considered.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in programme/project development, focused on developing countries in areas related to development cooperation in climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and socio-economic development.

• Experience on renewable energy is an asset.
• Familiar with children's rights and gender in the context of climate change and environment. Knowledge of gender equality principles and gender sensitive programming.
• Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management required.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills required.
• Experience in development and/ or humanitarian settings is an asset.
• Meet UNICEF’s core values and competency areas.
• Language Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Portuguese or a Latin Language is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in the following:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drive to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male/female candidates from programme/industrial countries are encouraged to apply are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.