National Consultancy to Support the UNICEF Office in Sri Lanka to strengthen meaningful participation of youth and children in climate action and water security

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, h****ow can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the WASH Specialist and CSD Manager, the consultant will guide UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Office on creating meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with UNICEF programmes to take action on climate change and water security.

1. Activities and Tasks:
   1. Strategic Framework: Develop a youth engagement and mobilization strategy for UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Office based on a comprehensive mapping exercise that seeks to establish an understanding of the range of activities taking place in the country that connect youth to climate action.
   2. Climate and Water Literacy Tool and Communication/IEC strategy: Outline and coordinate the collection of existing material from global, regional and local initiatives which can be translated and used in Sri Lanka to create awareness on climate change and water insecurity to youth and children, through locally appropriate modes of communication and work with C4D section to develop monitoring mechanisms for behaviour change, including engagement of children’s clubs, youth clubs and women’s groups.
   3. In consultation with the UNICEF ICT team, develop a simple monitoring framework which would allow UNICEF to estimate reach and utility of the climate literacy tools based on the youth engagement strategy.
   4. Provide technical support to local government authorities in integrating climate change in water-related national and provincial action plans, national policies, strategies, and development programmes at sub-national levels.
   5. Work with UNICEF regional staff and local authorities to implement local policies to protect water sources and promote and advocate on climate resilient models and adaptation and mitigation interventions promoted by UNICEF.
   6. Support to implement WASH strategic Framework for Climate Change and Shift strategy developed for UNICEF and work with relevant staff in this regard.
   7. Support to promote the draft Sri Lanka Children’s Charter on DRR and CCA among more children and youth groups to gather large voices behind the Charter and advocate the same to be incorporated into the government’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
   8. Support to implement the awareness programmes (using existing online platforms, social networks) and mobilize youth and children as change agents via youth clubs and children’s clubs on re-forestation as a means of conservation of biodiversity, water security and reducing emissions.
   9. Support to strengthen consultative platforms to engage communities, especially women, children, adolescents and youth, around local planning and budgeting for climate change adaptation and development.
   10. Support to introduce the climate-smart village concept and promote this concept through all community level mechanisms, including children’s clubs, youth clubs, village child development committees and local government.

Work relationships: The national consultant will be under contract to UNICEF Sri Lanka and report to the WASH Specialist-CSD for contractual and logistical matters. For technical guidance and collaboration, the consultant will liaise with the UNICEF Programme Officers in different units and zonal offices as well as with the Government officials at national and sub-national levels.

Duration - 8 months (full time)

Duty station - Colombo

Tentative start date: 01 June 2021

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

2. Education: Bachelors’ degree or equivalent in Climate Change, Water Management, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Hydrology, Geography, Development Studies, and Disaster Management. Post graduate qualification/s will be an added advantage.
3. Specialist skills/Training: Experience in engaging youth, Climate Change, climate financing, climate policies, water management, environmental and development are preferred; Knowledge about government decision-making, previous experiences in proposal development, and network with climate institutions will be considered assets; strong analytical skills as reflected in publications on climate change in referenced journals; suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required standards;
4. Years of experience: A minimum of01 year of relevant professional experience in the fields related to climate change, water conservation/management aspects environment management, and development sectors as well as experience of working with governmental entities, research and policy institutions and communities;
5. Competencies: In-depth knowledge on Sri Lanka climate change, water resources management and disaster management policies, strategies and frameworks as well as legislation related to children’s rights; access to networks of professionals in related fields; ability to work cordially in an environment with persons of different backgrounds and opinions; ability to navigate challenges in completing tasks and ability ensure deliverables in a timely manner; ability to travel frequently to provinces;
6. Languages required: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is a must.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume, cover letter and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and monthly fee/rate (in LKR) to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable)

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered

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.

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.

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.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.