Programme Specialist - Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change (DRR-CC)

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 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, resilience

Background

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

Globally, UNICEF’s focus on climate action and resilience is framed by the Global Strategic Plan 2022-2025, making it a critical part of the organization’s vision. A number of policy documents and technical guidance have been developed to support resilient programming and more specifically the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change (CC) in UNICEF’s core sectors through risk informed programming.

Climate action and resilience building is fundamental for the realization of rights of the child. Clean and healthy environment that sustains life on earth is critical for children’s survival, health, development and well-being. Advocating for and carrying out child-centred action on climate change and risk-informed development benefits all targeted SDGs, and UNICEF has a unique comparative advantage not only to help reduce impacts on children/youth, but to also enable them as key agents of change—a true opportunity for paradigm shift in the Eastern Caribbean’s socio-economic trajectory. The urgency to address climate change and environmental risks has gained significant awareness, especially among children and youth and strong civil society involvement. The Eastern Caribbean is at a crossroads of opportunity, with growing youth activism to ensure that economic development is sustainable, climate-smart, and environmentally sound.

Considering the potential impact of natural disasters and the likelihood of these to increase in intensity in the years to come, emergency preparedness, climate change adaption and resilience-building need to be further enhanced. Measures must include the development of adequate financing strategies for child-sensitive disaster risk and climate change adaptation.

UNICEF will seek systematic engagement in DRR, climate engagement and resilience-related interventions to support adaptation efforts of vulnerable people and governments in the Eastern Caribbean, focusing on education, shock responsive social protection, child protection (mental health and psycho-social support, WASH, climate and disaster risk reduction and other programmes that build resilience and support development.

An DRR-CC Programme Specialist TA will support both the coordination of the emergency response but also support development of a solid foundation for climate change programming in the Eastern Caribbean. This position will be in a key strategic position to support UNICEF in driving the disaster risk reduction and resilience as well as climate change agenda forward, given the considerable size and complexity in the sub-region as well as UNICEF ECA’s own positioning.

The DRR-CC Programme Specialist will supervise a small team, including an Emergency Officer, DRR-CC Programme Officer (JPO), and external consultants; and lead coordination across sectors.

How can you make a difference?

This position will be in a key strategic position to support UNICEF in driving the disaster risk reduction and resilience as well as climate change agenda forward, given the considerable size and complexity in the sub-region as well as UNICEF ECA’s own positioning. The position will support the mainstreaming of DRR, climate and resilience through important development sectors by supporting UNICEF’s sections (Social Protection, WASH, Education, Child Protection) with programme design, planning and implementation, management and stock-taking and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting. This includes providing support and developing sub-regional entities and Government’s capacities across several sectors, disaster preparedness, response and resilience as well as promoting child-centred DRR and CC approaches

The DRR-CC Programme Specialist will supervise a small team, including an Emergency Officer, DRR-CC Programme Officer, and external consultants; and lead coordination across sectors.

The DRR-CC Programme Specialist works closely with Programme staff and in close liaison with the Latin Americas and Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) CEED and WASH sections where applicable.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties and tasks

1. Provide technical support to sections regarding climate, energy and environment, DRR (CEED) and resilience

• Establish the annual work plan, including developing strategies, determining priorities, and performance measurements.
• Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, and reporting and reviews (mid-annual and annual).
• Ensure that UNICEF engagement in the area of CEED and resilience is well coordinated within and outside UNICEF, and that UNICEF progressively integrates climate change action into office programs.
• Coordinate UNICEF ECA national, regional and global advocacy points and inputs into the annual COP climate conference/s, including youth-driven action.
• Support Education, Child Protection, SBC and Youth Engagement, Social Protection & Social Policy sections in identifying UNICEF’s niche for addressing Climate Change and Environment impacts on children, awareness raising and design of programmes to support the rights of children, and support risk-informed programming in UNICEF Eastern Caribbean.
• YOUTH: support the section in conducting climate and environment focused youth engagement, including supporting children and youth as agents of change.
• EDUCATION: support the section in the development of environment and climate action curriculum support, and the Caribbean Safe School Initiative, as well as in awareness raising around environmental impacts on Early Childhood Development (ECD).
• CHILD PROTECTION: support engagement regarding the climate resilient protection and health systems, in particular work regarding MHPSS due to climate change.
• SOCIAL POLICY: support the section in incorporation of national climate and environment vulnerability assessments and social safety systems.
• SOCIAL PROTECTION: support engagement regarding the climate resilient social protection systems and enhancing shock-responsive essential services provision.
• WASH: coordinate concept and proposal development jointly with internal and external stakeholders for accessing climate finance. Potential entry points include household and institutional climate adaptation, environment and climate awareness through school programmes/EiE, innovation in WASH in emergencies, climate resilient water safety planning and water management.

2. Generate evidence, policy advocacy and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children

• Provide technical guidance and policy advice and inputs to sub-national entities (CDEMA, CARICOM, OECS, etc) national governments, private sector and civil society partners on climate change and environmental risks facing children.
• Contribute to reviews of relevant Government and partner policy documents, including support to National Action Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions and national climate strategies.
• In coordination and partnership with UNICEF programmes (Social Policy & Social Protection section) and other UN and institutional stakeholders, support public expenditure reviews of national public/private sector climate and environment financing and budgeting.
• Support communication and policy advocacy regarding climate change, environmental degradation and child rights in the Eastern Caribbean, and input into key national climate and environment policy dialogues (National Action Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions and national climate strategies).
• Identify objectives, actions and best practices for protecting children from climate change and environmental risk and work with sections on implementation strategies.
• 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.
• Participate in relevant workshops/meetings held by UNICEF, Government, and partners to develop or update key policies.
• Contribute the development and review process to UN emergency contingency plans; and represent UNICEF at the coordination platforms: ECDPG, UNETT, etc.

3. Management of climate finance, partnerships and resource mobilization initiatives and provide linkages to regional and global efforts

• Establish climate and environment focused partnerships with CSO, Government, UN and development partners.
• Identify how UNICEF programmes can support climate funding and financing priorities by establishing partnerships with relevant focal points and potential partners for UNICEF.
• Advocate for improved child-focus of climate finance investments in the Eastern Caribbean among partners.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with sub-regional entities (CARICOM, CDEMA, OECS) and national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on CEED and resilience.
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF Country Office DRR-CC and resilience programmes and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNETT) discussions and planning on DRR, climate and resilience related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF planning and preparation of programmes/projects including emergency preparedness.
• Develop concept notes for fundraising for climate change adaptation and mitigation proposals as well as inputs to proposals from all sections as needed.
• Support section focal points in the coordination and implementation of approved environment focused proposals.
• Support youth climate activism and COP/events advocacy points and initiatives.

4. Programme development, management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Provide strategic and technical guidance, advice and inputs to UNICEF sections (child protection, education, social policy & social protection, SBC and youth engagement and operations) on all aspects of climate (mitigation, adaptation, resilience), and environment planning, programming and implementation.
• Advance synergistic cross-sectoral programming, in education, child protection, and social policy & social protection sections, SBC and youth engagement, to ensure that climate programming has a greater impact for children.
• With programme sections, 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.
• Lead the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the DRR-CC and resilience section to ensure that current and comprehensive data on CEED issues is available to guide work plans interventions and development efforts on related programmes.
• 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.
• Support the update/review UNICEF EPP and other emergency related tools.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable CEED and resilience programme initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting-edge practices on climate risk monitoring/management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures, and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize, plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on CEED-related programme s/projects.

Impact of results

The support provided by the DRR-CC Programme Specialist, will enable UNICEF ECA to achieve the Climate and Environment related output results of the country programme. This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the country programme document. When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country.

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

• An advanced university degree, progressively responsible, job related experience in in environment, climate change, environmental management, disaster risk reduction or related area. social and economic development or related area.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and 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.
• Practical experience in supporting national policies and strategies on DRR, climate change and energy transition.
• Specific expertise in developing climate rationale, programme/project formulation, implementation and monitoring related to climate change adaptation is required.
• Knowledge on climate change impacts, climate risk assessments, and adaptation solutions required.
• Strong familiarity with climate financing and donor landscape and priorities, particularly in the Caribbean.
• Proven ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders.
• Familiar with children's rights and gender in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills.
• Experience and knowledge in climate financing instruments and ability to design and develop climate adaption projects is highly desirable.
• Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
• 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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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:

Bearing in mind the necessities of service and programmatic priorities, this post is open to nationals of the Eastern Caribbean countries including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the Virgin Islands (UK). Candidates must be citizens of any of these countries to be considered eligible for this post. Please note that National Offices (NOs) are expected to serve in the country of their nationality, therefore the nationality of the selected candidate will determine the duty station of the post. Being locally recruited staff, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements required to start her/his appointment. Candidates are advised that depending upon the nationality and duty station of the most technically qualified and suitable candidate and contingent upon the availability of office space in that country, the post may be considered as work from home.

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.