Programme Specialist (Climate Change and Clean Air), NO-3, Fixed-Term, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia #115115 (Open for Mongolian nationals only)

UNICEF Mongolia is looking for a Programme Specialist who will be leading the climate change and clean air programme to support the Mongolia Country Office’s engagement in combatting climate change and air pollution related risks to children.

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, hope.

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 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, which 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.

Climate change and air pollution are equity issues, with children and young people often being the most vulnerable and affected. Addressing these issues is vital for building a more sustainable future for children. In Urban Mongolia, air pollution is a very serious problem during the long winter due to the burning of coal to stay warm. It is an unprecedented  maternal and child health crisis with many immediate and long term consequences. Impacts include but are not limited to preterm birth, low birthweight, fetal death, impaired brain and lung development, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological problems later on in life.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, support the Mongolia Country Office’s engagement in combatting climate change and air pollution related risks to children. This includes conducting advocacy, developing partnerships, and the provision of programmatic and policy guidance. The Programme Specialist leads the climate change and clean air programme and guides mainstreaming of these issues across the UNICEF Country Programme, coordinates and supervises activities of the involved staff. S/he works in close collaboration with the operations team, and other programme teams in UNICEF and other UN Agencies, UNICEF Regional Office and Headquarters staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society ensuring successful programme implementation.

1. Program implementation

Leading the climate change and clean air programme to ensure program relevance and quality, successful implementation and impact on children in close collaboration with national, municipal and sub-national governments;  prepare high quality concept notes and proposals for various donors; oversight of the implementation and financial management of the programme (including development and/or revision of budgets, staffing plans, donor reporting, monitoring and evaluation, accountability, etc); ensure compliance with UNICEF’s principles and strategies, with a particular focus on equity; Liaise with and manage the relationship with key partners, donors, and national and local government counterparts.

2. Team Management

Guided by Country Office Senior Management, set vision and priorities for the clean air programme; oversee the development of annual workplans and budgets; organize and lead team collaboration, ensure cross-sectoral cooperation in the office; undertake annual performance appraisals of direct supervisees.

Manage and direct national staff and consultants. Provide strategic advice, guidance and mentoring to the team members in developing and implementing their work plans, establishing and building relations with key partners, identifying and preparing issue/position papers. Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines, and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Serve as the second (indirect) supervisor for other UNICEF staff who spend part of their time working on climate change and clean air, ensuring deliverables and activities of all staff involved in climate change and clean air are aligned.

3. Integration of climate change and clean air in the UNICEF Country Programme and strategies.

Develop key messages, talking points and briefing notes for staff members in their engagement with partners; network and provide guidance to private sector companies; and oversee the development of media campaigns to strengthen public awareness, and to influence behaviours to address climate change and air pollution. Share experiences with other UNICEF offices around the world and provide advise upon request.

4. Guidance and policy advice to Government officials, the private sector and civil society partners in support of a sustainable environment for children.

Identify risks and opportunities for children in relation to climate change and air pollution (including sustainable energy solutions); identify objectives, actions, key messages and best practices for investing in a sustainable environment for children; identify and build partnerships with public and private sector partners for strategic engagement; maintain overall knowledge on the policy, institutions and programmatic activities related to climate change and clean air.

5. Advocacy and relationships with partners:

Applying a range of advocacy tools, lead UNICEF’s advocacy work on climate change and clean air by providing guidance to technical staff on strategies, approaches and messages, and by directly engaging with senior officials from government, development partners and private sector. Participate in meetings with stakeholders, conferences and events as they arise, acting as UNICEF’s lead on climate change and clean air related issues. As required, engage in public events and with the media.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Environmental Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy or other relevant disciplines
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme/project formulation, implementation, monitoring and review is required.
• Proven working experience on environmental issues related to air pollution, water pollution and climate change impacts is required.
• Extensive and relevant work experience in areas related to children’s health, and children’s rights is recommended.
• Knowledge and experience with children's rights and gender in the context of climate change and air pollution and/or natural resources management is required.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• High level of demonstrable leadership and strategic management skills - including management and leadership of multi-sector teams.
• Track record of delivering high quality results under pressure and ability to support and motivate teams in these situations.
• Ability and experience working collaboratively using matrix management and supporting direct reports to do the same.
• High political acumen and excellent team building skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Builds and maintains partnerships [II]
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness [II]
• Drive to achieve results for impact [II]
• Innovates and embraces change [II]
• Manages ambiguity and complexity [II]
• Thinks and acts strategically [II]
• Works collaboratively with others[II]
• Nurtures, leads and manages people [II]

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

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