Programme Specialist (Team Lead) - Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change, Fixed-Term, NO-3, Bridgetown, Barbados, Post #122480

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, the DRR-CC Programme Specialist will be responsible for the Outcome 4: Climate Engagement and Resilience and provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance to UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean’s programmes ( education, social policy & social protection and child protection) to improve and enhance the office’s climate change, resilience, and environment priorities and promote adolescent and youth participation in climate action.

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For every child, resilience

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Purpose of the Job:

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, the DRR-CC Programme Specialist will be responsible for the Outcome 4: Climate Engagement and Resilience and provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance to UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean’s programmes ( education, social policy & social protection and child protection) to improve and enhance the office’s climate change, resilience, and environment priorities and promote adolescent and youth participation in climate action.

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 also supports WASH in emergencies with a wider focus on WASH systems strengthening and resilience. He/she will supervise a small team and lead programme coordination of the CEED-WASH portfolio across all sectors. 

1. Programme development, management, monitoring and delivery of results:

• 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).
• 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. 

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

• Ensure that UNICEF engagement in the area 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.

3. 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, national TWGs, etc.

4. 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.

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 programmes/projects.

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

Minimum Requirements:

Education: 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.

Work Experience:

• 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.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required, knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Desirables:

• 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.
• Experience working in a UN organization is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

The position is open to nationals of Barbados. The only exception to the nationality requirement is internal candidates who are legally permitted to work in Barbados. 

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.