Climate Resilience and Environment Associate

UNICEF works in the world's toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere.

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. This 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.

Under the direct supervision of the Climate Resilience and Environment Officer and the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, the National UN Volunteer Associate is accountable for coordinating climate youth advocacy and community level implementation of youth-led solutions. These responsibilities encompass: (a) Provide support to create and sustain climate guardians’ cohorts in prioritized islands and to scale them up; (b) Provide support in seeking training and learning opportunities for youth climate advocates; (c) Support the coordination with relevant Government agencies and civil society organizations to train Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in prioritized islands and strengthen the linkage with Climate Guardians initiatives; d) Provide support for advocacy and policy influence for child-sensitive National Development Plan, National Adaptation Plan e) Support the implementation of Youth Track to COP. Additionally, the role involves providing support to the Climate Resilience and Environment Officer on direct programmatic work with government and civil society partners, as well as facilitating convergence with UNICEF teams working on education, youth engagement, health, nutrition and SBC.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Climate Resilience and Environment Officer NOB or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Climate Resilience and Environment Associate will:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Provide support to create and sustain climate guardians’ cohorts in prioritized islands and to scale them up
• Support the creation of Climate Guardians’ cohorts in prioritized islands and the development of action plans.
• Digitally record and organize the information received from Climate Guardians for efficient tracking and future reference.
• Support the implementation of activities in respective Climate Guardians action plans.

2. Provide support in conducting training opportunities for Climate Guardians
• Support in organizing climate action sessions and climate camps to find innovative solutions to climate challenges in prioritized islands.
• Support in organizing design thinking workshops for Climate Guardians in prioritized islands.
• Support in organizing advocacy and media training workshops to build capacities of Climate Guardians.

3. Support the creation of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in prioritized islands
• Support the coordination with relevant Government agencies and civil society organizations to establish CERTs in prioritized islands.
• Ensure all Climate Guardians are trained and certified as CERT members to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities.

4. Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for child-sensitive climate policy (e.g. NDP, NDC, NAP)
• Provide technical support on compelling use of data and evidence on the effects of climate change on children and youth
• Provide support in organizing Youth track to COP in collaboration with relevant Government Agencies.
• Identifies other critical partners, promotes awareness and builds capacity of partners, and actively facilitates effective collaboration within the UN family.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day)
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• The efficient and effective technical, administrative and operational support provided to the development and implementation of strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of climate resilience and environmental policy programmes/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children and thus ensure their survival, development and well-being in society.
• Achievements in climate resilience programmes and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for children and mothers that promotes greater social equality in the country.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.