General
Description of assignment title
Climate Change and Environment Specialist
Assignment country
Rwanda
Expected start date
02/09/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNICEF
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Kigali
Details
Mission and objectives
Guided by the 2030 Agenda principle of “leaving no one behind”, UNICEF Rwanda under the current country programme will contribute to five priorities under the social transformation pillar of the National Strategy for Transformation 2017–2024: (a) Ensuring access to quality health for all; (b) Reducing malnutrition; (c) Ensuring access to and improving the quality of education; (d) Moving towards a modern Rwandan household, and; (e) Enhancing graduation from poverty and promoting resilience. The country programme will be implemented as part of the United Nations Development Assistance Plan 2018–2023 (UNDAP II), specifically contributing to Strategic Result Area 2: Social Transformation.
Context
Rwanda faces significant impacts from climate change, being the 29th most vulnerable and 94th least ready country. Average temperatures rose 1.4°C to 2.6°C from 1971 to 2016, with increased extreme rainfall, shorter and more intense rainy seasons, and more frequent droughts in some regions. These changes exacerbate landslides, erosion, flooding, and droughts across the country. Recognizing these risks, Rwanda has committed to climate resilience and low-carbon development through international agreements and national strategies. The young population, particularly children, are highly susceptible to climate impacts, with nearly 90% of climate-related disease burdens affecting children under five. In this context, UNICEF Rwanda is implementing several initiatives aimed at strengthening climate resilience for children. To support these initiatives, there is a pressing need to deploy additional technical assistance on climate change and environment. The main purpose of this assignment is to enhance the capacities of the UNICEF Rwanda Country Office and its partners to strengthen climate resilience for children in Rwanda. The assignment is designed to align with “A Liveable Planet for Every Child – UNICEF’s Strategy for Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction-2022-2030.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), the UNV will provide technical, analytical, and knowledge management support to the country office in the design and implementation of climate, environment, energy and disaster risk reduction (CEED) programmes. S/he will also assist with advocacy, resource mobilisation and engagement with youth-led engagements that help accelerate and scale up priority CEED interventions in Rwanda. More specifically, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: (i) Support evidence generation through conducting analysis and generating relevant information on the impacts of climate change on children in Rwanda; (ii) Support preparation of policy briefs and analytical papers for advocacy with governments and partners to put children and young people first in their sustainability plans, budgets and actions toward a green transition; (iii) Provide technical support for strengthening integration of linkages between climate change, DRR and children’s needs in the NST-2 and other key national development policies and plans; (iv) Work with Child Protection, Education, Health & Nutrition, Social Policy, WASH and other sections to identify opportunities, solutions and concrete actions to address climate change and environmental degradation, and reduce climate impact on children; (v) Support implementation and monitoring of UNICEF Rwanda’s climate change, environment and DRR related interventions; (vi) Support expansion of green energy use and applications in UNICEF programmes and operations; (vii) Support development of concept notes/funding proposals to mobilise additional resources for climate change and environment related interventions, especially for green climate fund and other climate financing instruments; (viii) Support building of new partnerships (including, inter-alia, with NGOs, research institutions, development partners, and private and public sectors institutions) to address climate and environmental risks and disasters with strong focus on children; (ix) Support capacity building of line government agencies, NGOs and private institutions to better understand climate risks with focus on children, the green transition, as well as ways to build resilience to disasters and longer-term climate and environmental shocks; (x) Support engagement of children and youth in ensuring that the voices, perspectives and ide-as of children and young people are heard, and that they have the education and skills necessary to be agents of change in their communities; (xi) Support documentation of good practices and lessons learned on child-sensitive climate change and environment related interventions; (xii) Support effective coordination of UNICEF RCO’s engagement in CEED within and out-side UNICEF; and (xiii) Represent UNICEF in the meetings of environment and climate change sector working group, development partners’ climate change working group and environment and other related areas.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in (i) Climate change, environment, clean energy, climate finance, DRR in developing country context; (ii) Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management; (iii) Proactive and resourceful, with good communication skills in negotiating and liaising with counterparts and partners; (iv) Excellent organizational and analytical skills; (v) Fluency in English both in verbal and written; and (vi) Good skills in computer applications; especially Word, Excel and Power Point.
Area(s) of expertise
Energy and environment , Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Environmental sciences, climate change, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, geography, engineering, social and economic development or another relevant technical field. Special consideration: A master’s degree is required for this assignment. However, a first university degree in a relevant field combined with strong professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.
Competencies and values
☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, has experienced remarkable rejuvenation and stability, evident upon arrival in the city. While motorcycle taxis are the fastest mode of transport, they’re not recommended without your own helmet, though some provide helmets. Standard taxis, marked with yellow stripes, are another option, with many operated by Kigali Taxi Service or Kigali Airport Taxis. Public transportation is affordable and efficient, with new and well-maintained buses available, and prepaid cards can be purchased at bus stations. Rental cars are also available due to significant investment in infrastructure, leading to minimal congestion. Accommodations in Kigali are readily available and meet relevant standards, with recreational facilities like swimming pools also accessible. Shopping options include various shops and markets offering essential items, imported goods, home furnishings, electrical appliances, and vehicle spare parts. The city boasts both public and private health facilities, such as King Faisal Hospital and Legacy Clinic, equipped to handle emergencies and affiliated with CIGNA insurance. Kigali is considered exceptionally safe, with emergency numbers like 999 for police, 111 for fire fighters, and 112 for general emergencies, and 113 for traffic accidents. For volunteers, the UNV Programme offers monthly living allowance covering basic needs like housing, utilities, transportation, and communication. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
