General
Description of assignment title
Climate and Environment Specialist
Assignment country
Bhutan
Expected start date
01/12/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNICEF BTN
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Thimphu
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF Bhutan, in collaboration with the government, has prioritized climate action in the new UNICEF Country Program Document (CPD) 2024-28. To accelerate the implementation of child-sensitive climate initiatives, we are seeking a UNV climate expert to support the Bhutan country office. The expert will drive the integration of climate resilience into programmes, ensuring sustainable and equitable outcomes for children. By promoting partnerships, enhancing capacity, and advocating for climate-smart policies, the expert will contribute to a healthier, safer environment for every child in Bhutan.
Context
Bhutan, a mountainous and landlocked country, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its unique geographical and environmental characteristics. The country faces challenges such as floods and landslides due to the melting of glaciers, forest fires and flashfloods during monsoon from changing weather patterns. Climate change significantly affects Bhutan’s agricultural sector, which is the primary livelihood source for about 80 per cent of the population. Despite these challenges, Bhutan has taken proactive steps to address the impacts of climate change. The country’s constitution emphasizes environmental protection, with specific articles mandating the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. Bhutan’s Parliament has enacted laws to safeguard the environment, with a focus on forest cover and sustainable practice. The government has also implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint, promote green practices, and enhance environmental sustainability. Bhutan’s commitment to addressing climate change is evident through its national policies, participation in international frameworks like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and efforts to increase carbon sequestration. In alignment with our commitment to protect children and young people worldwide, UNICEF has launched Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) 2023 – 2030. The SCAP prioritizes urgent climate action through systematic change in partnership with public and private sectors to prioritize the needs of children and young people and build their resilience to the climate crises. The SCAP strives to mainstream sustainability and climate action both internally and externally, through protecting the lives, health and well-being of children and their communities; empowering children with developmental opportunities and skills; and reducing emissions and the environmental footprint within UNICEF. Climate action is a priority for UNICEF. Together with our partners, UNICEF is working towards making the essential social services –water, healthcare, education, protection, and nutrition – more resilient to the effects of climate change. UNICEF aims to work with communities to support mitigation and adaptation strategies, to reduce /address the effects of climate change. UNICEF aims to equip children and young people with the required knowledge and skills needed to enable them to play a positive role in addressing the effects of climate change. UNICEF Bhutan works with the Royal Government of Bhutan in advancing the wellbeing of children particularly in the areas of health, education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection, social protection, adolescent development and participation. In collaboration with the government, UNICEF has prioritized climate action in the UNICEF Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-28. To accelerate the implementation of child-sensitive climate initiatives, UNICEF is seeking the services of a National UNV climate Specialist to support the Bhutan country office.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and in coordination with the Climate Focal Person, the national UNV Specialist will undertake following activities: Programme Development and Strategic Integration – Coordinate UNICEF’s climate, energy, and environment efforts across all programmes to ensure the integration of climate action into core office initiatives. – Provide strategic support to UNICEF sections (Health, WASH, Education, Nutrition, and Operations) on climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience planning and programming. – Identify UNICEF’s niche in addressing climate impacts on children, raising awareness, and designing programmes that protect child rights and promote risk-informed programming. – Ensure cross-sectoral synergies across key areas (Health, Nutrition, WASH, Child Protection, Education) to enhance the impact of climate programming on children. – Experience of leading/engagement in UNICEF’s advocacy in national policy dialogues on climate, focusing on NAPs (National Adoption Plans), NDCs (Nationally determined contributions), and national climate strategies. Programme Coordination and Management – Coordinate and manage the Climate and Environment programme, ensuring effective task-oriented functioning of the Climate and Environment working group. – Provide technical and operational support throughout programme stages, ensuring climate, energy, and environment initiatives align with UNICEF’s objectives and government priorities. – Ensure well-coordinated engagement between UNICEF and government priorities in climate related initiatives. Advocacy and Policy Engagement – Provide technical guidance to government officials, private sectors, and civil society on child-sensitive climate policies. – Support youth climate advocacy initiatives through networks like Scout Volunteers and Young Volunteers in Action including promoting green skills and tangible climate actions at scale. Data Collection and Evidence-Based Programming – Coordinate the collection of data supporting climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and building climate resilience in UNICEF thematic areas. – Provide current data and analysis to inform climate-adapted social services and resilient infrastructure planning. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization – Identify strategic partners for addressing the impact of climate change on children and enhance collaboration with government and international stakeholders. – Develop and manage climate and environment related donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s strategic plans and national priorities. – Participate in regional and global partnerships, ensuring UNICEF’s priorities are integrated into planning and agenda setting for climate resilience and energy programming. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building – Strengthen internal capacities and lead the development of learning and capacity-building plans for BhCo on climate change and disaster risk reduction. – Develop knowledge products and policy briefs on climate change, environmental issues, and child well-being, and ensure the internal coordination of knowledge management. Monitoring and Evaluation – Participate in programme reviews, sectoral evaluations, and monitoring exercises with government counterparts, ensuring compliance with programme targets and donor commitments. – Actively monitor progress through field visits and assessments, addressing challenges and documenting lessons learned. – Produce sectoral progress reports for management and donors, ensuring alignment with UNICEF and government climate objectives. – Support development of Human Interest Stories related to climate and environment. Innovation and Strategic Research – Track and analyze international and regional climate policy updates, preparing policy briefs and recommendations for UNICEF’s engagement in climate-related initiatives.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in areas related to development cooperation in climate change adaptation and mitigation and environment. – Experience in advocating climate finance investments focused on children and coordinate UNICEF inputs into national/international climate policy processes. – Familiarity with children’s rights, gender (in the context of climate change and environment) and knowledge of gender equality principles and gender sensitive programming – Experience in renewable energy and prior engagement in NDCs and NAPs preparation and development would be an asset. Area of expertise requirement: – Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management required. – Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills required. – Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious & effective working relationship both within and outside an organization. – Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset. – Computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others)
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Energy and environment
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Required Dzongkha, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, climate change, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, engineering or another relevant technical field is required. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is desirable. Candidates having a bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant work experience (in lieu of advanced university degree) are also encouraged to apply.
Competencies and values
Diversity and inclusion: Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible. Integrity: Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority. Commitment: Demonstrates commitment to UNICEF’s mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF’s cause. Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way. Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well. Drive for results: Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, experiences a wet season, which runs from May through September and a dry season that covers the remainder of the year. Rainfall in the valley varies between 500 millimeters (20 in) and 1,000 millimeters (39 in) per year, the bulk of which is received during the monsoonal wet season. The average temperature recorded during winter varies between 5–15 °C while in summer the variation is between 15–30 °C. The coldest average (minimum) temperature in January is −2.6 °C and the average highest temperature recorded during August is 25 °C. 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.
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.
