Climate Change & Environmental Officer

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 favouritism. 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.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Education, UNICEF Viet Nam, the UN Volunteer Specialist will contribute to UNICEF supported innovative climate and/or renewable energy solutions in schools. The incumbent is expected to support the Education Team’s Climate Change & Environment workstream generally and to specifically support in developing proof of concepts and field testing for climate-smart solutions, green skills and green action development, technical vocational education and training linked with green solutions, use of renewables (including solarization options) in schools, school/community-level waste management and clean air for children and adolescents. Work will have a particular focus on the juncture between Climate Change & Environment and equity (eg. highlighting and addressing impact of climate change on disadvantaged populations including girls, ethnic minority populations, and children with disabilities)

Under the supervision of the Chief of Education, UNICEF Viet Nam, the UN Volunteer Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

Program Development (35%):
- Contribute to the further development, design and management of the disaster risk reduction (DRR) in education sector, climate and environment programme of the section, with a special focus on renewable energy solutions in schools
- Lead strategic planning, coordination and implementation of UNICEF supported climate change mitigation interventions
- Identify and undertake evidence generation activities and research to enhance understanding on how climate change and environmental degradation are affecting children in Viet Nam, especially the most disadvantaged, and inform advocacy and child friendly policy and legislation to mitigate climate, and environmental risks on children’s learning, development and wellbeing
- Contribute to the development and implementation of behavior change strategies and interventions aimed at children and youth related to environmentally sustainable lifestyles
- Identify new strategic programming opportunities and partnerships in the area of low emission climate resilient development
- Develop strategic UNICEF policy position papers and internal briefing notes on climate change and environmental issues
- Enhance climate change mainstreaming in UNICEF Vietnam Country Office’ portfolio and programming with a specific focus on Education in the first instance

Program Management (30%):
- Support the experimentation of innovative climate solution in schools and undertake regular on-the-sight monitoring of the progresses made
- Provide day to day oversight of DRR, climate change, environmental issues and climate smart school portfolio of the section
- Regular tracking of the various DRR, climate change related indicators in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) of the section
- Provide communication and reporting on progress and outcomes in a timely manner

Partnership and Resource Mobilization (35%):
- Assist in the section’s efforts in communicating achieved results on social media and support donor relations management of the Education section
- Identify potential donors for climate change action in Education; Prepare funding proposals and briefing documents for donors to mobilize investments for climate smart schools/climate action/renewable energy solutions/gender and climate in Viet Nam
- Contribute technical inputs into cross-sectoral initiatives on climate change including the development of a multi-sectoral project/grant proposal to the Green Climate Fund
- Develop and foster strategic partnerships with government and national institutions, donors, UN and non-UN system organizations
- Build strong linkage with the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data