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

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.

The Gambia is one of the smallest countries in West Africa, with an estimated population of 2.6 million in 2021 and a population density of 203 people per square km, thereby characterized as one of the most densely populated countries in Africa.1 According to the most recent census, children aged 0‒17 years account for 49.4 per cent of the population.

The Gambia is identified globally among the countries most vulnerable to climate change (IPCC, 2020), and is among the top ten countries most vulnerable to coastal erosion and sea-level rise in the world (Gomez, Adelagun, et el., 2020). The country is characterized by low-lying topography, combined with a high dependence on subsistence rain-fed agriculture and inadequate drainage and storm water management systems in a context of rapidly expanding un-regulated urbanization.

In recent years, The Gambia has experienced increased frequency and intensity of drought, flooding, coastal erosion, windstorms, high temperatures, and intense and erratic rainfalls. These extreme weather events, particularly drought, severely hinder the country’s sustainable development and poverty eradication efforts. In 2022, the country experienced the worst flooding in its history, affecting 95,609 people, including children and adolescents.2

Despite the Gambia’s strong ambition in combatting climate change through a steady evolution of the laws, policies and strategies governing the implementation of climate change related interventions in the country3, and the fact that the country is among the African countries where children and adolescents are most exposed to the risks and incidences of climate change4, the Gambia lacks comprehensive data and analysis on the impact of climate change on children, and on national responses, particularly in social service sectors.

How can you make a difference?

As part of the priorities of its new Country Programme, launched in February 2024, UNICEF Gambia is planning to commission a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC), examining the baseline situation of climate, environment, energy and disaster risk reduction related (CEED) issues affecting children and how they relate to UNICEF's priority sectors. The report will map stakeholders and look at government policies and relevant Government and partner support to climate change and environmental protection related programmes in The Gambia, overall and in specific sectors. It will provide a better understanding on the actual and likely future impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on children and social service sectors. Consequently, it will provide recommendations on how UNICEF Gambia could further incorporate and strengthen work on CEED issues in its country programme and be well positioned to influence the national agenda and priorities on climate change. It will also strengthen the country’s efforts in promoting child rights through child-responsive risk-informed climate resilience and adaptative programming, capacity building, evidence-based advocacy and support to youth-led initiatives. Additionally, evidence generated by the analysis is expected to contribute to explore climate financing opportunities to support investments on climate change.

Scope of Work

1. Compilation, review and systematization of evidence and research related to climate, environment, energy and disaster risk reduction related (CEED) issues in The Gambia
2. Data collection/consultation of stakeholders engaged in climate and disaster risks to children.
3. Development of the CLAC report including analysis and recommendations
4. Overall editorial support
5. Administrative and planning support

To view the full TOR, visit HERE

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

• Advanced university degree in climate change, environmental science, natural resource management, meteorology, social and economic development, child rights or related areas.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional 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 including main climate finance stakeholders.
• Excellent research skills required.
• Demonstrated expertise in child rights and/or any of UNICEF's main areas of work (health, WASH, nutrition, child protection, social policy, education, gender, adolescents and youth, social behavior change…)
• Good understanding of key climate finance opportunities including at least basic understanding of Green Climate Fund
• 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.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.

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.