Programme Specialist (Climate and Environment) , P3 , Fixed-Term , Amman , Jordan country Office, #00122549

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, Support.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is leader in the region for the rights of its children. Working closely with the Government of Jordan, civil society, the private sector and communities, UNICEF Jordan Country Office aims to sustain results achieved for children to date, and strive to further improve policies, national institutions and programmes, for the well-being of every child in Jordan, in line with Jordan's Vision 2025 and the National Human Resources Development Strategy (2016-2025) towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Our programmes focus on improving the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the Kingdom, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or background. Our main pillars include: Child Protection; Education; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Adolescent and Youth Engagement; Health and Nutrition; Social Protection; and Operations.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative and with support from Section Heads, the Programme Specialist, Climate and Environment will lead and coordinate the Climate Action Taskforce (CAT) within Jordan Country Office (JCO), and support the mainstreaming, development, preparation and updating of Climate and Environmental strategies and programmes across the JCO sections and programmes. The Programme Specialist, Climate and Environment provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to develop and facilitate the development, administration and achievements of the Climate and Environment related output results in the country programme. Specific responsibilities are highlighted below:

Provide technical support to JCO regarding climate, environment, energy and DRR

• Ensure that UNICEF engagement in the area of climate, environment, energy and DRR (CEED) is well coordinated within and outside UNICEF, and that UNICEF progressively integrates climate change action into office programs.
• Coordinate UNICEF JCO national, regional and global advocacy points and inputs into the annual COP climate conference.
• Support Programme Sections across UNICEF JCO in identifying section niches for addressing Climate Change and Environment impacts on children, awareness raising, engagement and design of programmes to support the rights of children, and support risk informed programming in JCO.
• Lead on the finalization and monitoring of implementation of JCO’s climate action strategy, through interaction with section focal points, including providing technical support to sections and liaison with Programme Monitoring Unit and other cross-cutting areas.
• Technical support for implementation of JCO’s Communication and Advocacy under the Global Action Priorities

Coordination and management of the Climate Action Taskforce (CAT)

• Coordinate and manage the CAT, ensuring efficient task-oriented functioning and knowledge management
• Develop capacity building plan for UNICEF JCO, including available tools, resources, information etc. within and outside to support sections within UNICEF JCO in the implementation of climate change sensitive programming for JCO
• Liaise with other stakeholders active in climate change and environmental sustainability in Jordan and MENA for coordination, lessons learned and good practices and ensure linkages/knowledge exchange with national, regional and global stakeholders.
• Participate in development partners’ and joint UN climate action working groups.
• Maintain overall knowledge on the policy, institutions and programmatic activities
• Technical support for the implementation of JCO’s Greening activities.

Management of climate finance, partnerships and resource mobilization initiatives and provide linkages to regional and global efforts

• Establish climate and environment focused partnerships with CSO, Government, UN and development partners. In coordination with WASH and other sectors within JCO, actively contribute on behalf of UNICEF for the implementation and monitoring of the UNSDCF, in the areas related to climate and environment
• Support on the UNICEF JCO representation in climate related fora, including direct participation on behalf of UNICEF JCO programs.
• Development and utilization of the CLAC and other KM material for donor relations and partnership purposes
• Identify how UNICEF programmes can support climate funding and financing priorities by establishing partnerships with relevant focal points and potential partners for UNICEF.
• Advocate for improved child-focus of climate finance investments in Jordan among partners.
• Develop concept notes for fundraising for climate change adaptation and mitigation proposals as well as inputs to proposals from all sections as needed including support in accessing climate financing in line with the JCO Resource Mobilization strategy.
• Support section focal points in the coordination and implementation of approved environment focused proposals or support implementation of climate components within regular section proposals.
• Support youth climate activism and engagement incl. the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) and COP advocacy points and initiative

Generate evidence, policy advocacy and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children

• Provide technical guidance and policy advice to government officials, the private sector and civil society partners on climate change and environmental risks facing children.
• In coordination and partnership with UNICEF Social policy section and other UN and institutional stakeholders, support public expenditure reviews of national public/private sector climate and environment financing and budgeting.
• Support communication and policy advocacy regarding climate change, environmental degradation and child rights in Jordan, and input into key national climate and environment policy dialogues (National Action Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions and national climate strategies).
• Lead the development of an analysis of the impact of climate change and environmental risks for children in Jordan, and define objectives, actions and best practices for protecting them as part of JCO implementation strategies.
• Identify partners and entry points for strategic engagement regarding climate change impact on children as well as strategic entry points for engagement with the government

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

• Education: An advanced university degree in environment, climate change, social and economic development, international cooperation or another relevant technical field is required. A Bachelor degree in combination with 2 additional relevant years can also be considered. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong assest.

• Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, focused on developing countries in areas related to development cooperation in climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment, and socio-economic development. in addition, being familiar with children's rights and gender in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Knowledge of gender equality principles and gender-sensitive programming. Also, previous experience within UNICEF is an asset. Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management is required. Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy, and presentational skills are an asset. Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious & effective working relationship both within and outside an organization.

• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Original Article