Consultancy - Climate Change Policy Consultant Req.#570691

A consultant is required to support UNICEF’s policy advocacy strategy towards the UNFCCC and other relevant processes and events in the lead up to SB60 and COP29. In particular, the consultant will support delivery and follow up of UNICEF’s contribution to the SB60 expert dialogue on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on children and relevant policy solutions, as well as work on priority negotiations agenda items, including through internal and external engagement. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Policy Specialist.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. 

For every child, WATER

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

 Consultancy Title: UNFCCC policy Consultant

Station: CEED Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR Section - Programme Group - NYHQ

Duration: 1 April 2024 – 31 December 2024

Home/ office Based: REMOTE

About UNICEF  If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: Climate change, disasters and environmental degradation present significant and escalating threats to the rights and well-being of children globally, jeopardizing the progress achieved in child survival and development. Over a billion children are exposed to severe risks from climate and environmental hazards such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones.  UNICEF’s 2023–2030 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) calls for urgent climate action through systematic change to protect the lives, health and wellbeing of children and their communities, to empower children through education and skills; and to reduce emissions and UNICEF’s environmental footprint.  

 Scope of Work: The consultant will be expected to undertake the following activities:

1. Background research and development of CEED policy advocacy strategy and briefing towards SB60 and COP29
2. External briefings for Parties ahead of SB60 and COP29 and internal workshops/webinars.
3. Support delivery of UNICEF policy priorities and associated activities at SB60, COP29 and other relevant fora e.g. regional climate weeks, DRR platforms, UNGA etc.
4. Strengthen UNICEF engagement with strategic partners
5. Develop a summary of COP29 outcomes, lessons learned and a forward look to COP30 and COP31

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:    

Deliverable 1:                                     

• Complete a desktop mapping/review of UNFCCC/COP decisions/processes
• A set of recommendations for expert dialogue outcomes and pathway to COP29 and COP30 identified in collaboration with relevant stakeholders By 30 April 2024

Deliverable 2:

• Identify entry points and recommendations with respect to other priority negotiations workstreams such as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), Loss & Damage, Action for Climate Empowerment etc., seeking inputs and feedback from colleagues as necessary,                                                                                                                    
• analyse relevant submissions to identify alignment with Parties’ and non-Parties’ positions. By 30 April 2024

Deliverable 3:

• Integrate findings and inputs to the CEED UNFCCC policy strategy,
• update the internal expert dialogue concept note
• develop the external policy briefing on the expert dialogue, including key recommendations, as the basis for consultations with governments and other stakeholders.

By 30 April 2024

Deliverable 4:

• Develop the CEED policy advocacy strategy including identification of opportunities and timeline for engaging ‘champion’ governments, negotiation groups and broader set of Parties on the policy briefing
• prepare 6 webinars/briefings for Party delegations from at least 6 negotiation groups, summarising discussions in a note and incorporating feedback in the policy briefing and policy advocacy strategy. By 15 May 2024

Deliverable 5:

• Prepare and conduct 5 internal webinars/meetings (for different regions and strategic ‘champion countries’) to present the policy briefing on the expert dialogue and SB60 and COP29 policy strategy/asks, summarise discussions in a note and incorporate feedback in the policy briefing and policy advocacy strategy
• Consolidate information/inputs received from ROs/COs via a global policy survey
• to select 8-10 strong ‘relevant policy solutions’ to inform the expert dialogue
• conduct at least 10 calls with COs and child rights partners to advise on their engagement with Governments on the policy briefing and recommendations in advance of SB60. By 30 May 2024

Deliverable 6: Support the SB60 expert dialogue (June) through drafting key content, inputs to talking points, Q&A, identification of participants, inputs to the agenda and logistics. By 3 June 2024

Deliverable 7:

• Draft a summary note of the expert dialogue, including key recommendations and follow up activities
• refine the policy advocacy strategy and policy briefing accordingly. By 30 June 2024

Deliverable 8: 

• Provide a summary document containing analysis of relevant SB60 developments and outcomes (including SB conclusions and draft decisions) across priority negotiations workstreams;
• identify associated submission deadlines and other entry points (e.g. events);
• refine policy advocacy strategy and policy briefing accordingly, in collaboration with PG and CERI coalition partners as appropriate. By 30 June 2024

Deliverable 9: Draft two UNICEF submissions on climate finance and loss and damage, coordinating and integrating feedback from colleagues to finalise these. By 30 September 2024

Deliverable 10:

• Support UNICEF engagement at UNGA (or another key fora) through development of a concept note, engagement strategy, agenda and talking points for a high-level meeting with Parties and the COP29 Presidency on expert dialogue including follow-up and policy recommendations to COP29. By 30 September 2024

Deliverable 11: Support COP29 negotiations meeting through drafting key content and language, inputs to talking points, meeting notes and logistical arrangements including coordination of bilaterals with each negotiation group during the conference. By 30 November 2024

Deliverable 12: Arrange a child rights briefing for relevant non-Party stakeholders including the human rights and climate change working group; Climate Action Network International; the gender and YOUNGO constituencies. By 15 October 2024

Deliverable 13:

• joint CERI COP29 policy brief is reviewed to align with UNICEF recommendations
• joint CERI mapping of negotiators and contacts is updated with UNICEF inputs; By 15 October 2024

Deliverable 14:

• summary of COP29 negotiations outcomes and negotiations team reflections/lessons learned drafted
• analysis of COP29 decision texts/relevant mandates for COP30 and COP31 provided. By 15 December 2024

Qualifications

Education:

• Masters in International relations, international development, human rights, environmental science, environmental policy, social sciences, sustainability or equivalent areas

Work experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a specialized focus on associated fields (environment and climate change, public advocacy, human rights/child rights, international development etc.

Competencies/Knowledge:

• Evidence of policy advocacy strategy design and delivery is required.
• Knowledge and experience of engaging with UNFCCC negotiations workstreams, governments and non-state actors is required.
• Experience of conducting policy-relevant research, assessment and analysis is required.
• Knowledge of child or human rights in relation to the environment and climate change is required.
• Good understanding of UNICEF and/or UN system, the Sustainable Development Goals and trends in the international policy landscape and approaches within the UN is desirable.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment. 

Requirements: 

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect:
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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 selection process and afterwards in your assignment 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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

Remarks:  Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates 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 assignment. It does not apply to consultants 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 consultancy contracts.