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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.

Consultancy Title: Climate, Environment, Energy, DRR (CEED) Policy Engagement Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Climate Environment Energy & Disaster, Programme Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 15 January 2025 to 15 December 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / 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. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. 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. Consequently, it is imperative for countries to develop policies and associated financing strategies which prioritize climate-resilient, low-carbon social services encompassing water and sanitation, healthcare, education, nutrition, social protection, and child protection to tackle current threats and prepare for increasingly severe impacts.  

In alignment with our commitment to protect children and young people worldwide, UNICEF’s 2023 – 2030 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP), housed within the Climate, Energy, Environment and DRR (CEED) team, prioritizes urgent climate action through systematic change to prioritize the needs of children and young people and build their resilience to the climate threats at hand.  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. 

This consultant will support UNICEF's CEED Policy team in its engagement within the UNFCCC process, including the annual Bonn Climate Change Conference, the Conference of the Parties (COP), and other key climate policy milestones throughout the year. This includes collaborating with both the current and incoming COP Presidencies to elevate their commitment to addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on children. The consultant will work to draw attention to these issues within the Presidency’s efforts towards priority workstreams that UNICEF engages in, as well as through the Action Agenda, broader political advocacy, and outreach efforts. A key focus will be advocating for the inclusion of children in the Presidency’s agenda, strategy, and technical processes. This will involve close collaboration with, and provision of technical assistance to, the Presidency's Youth Climate Champion, and will emphasize enhancing the climate resilience of child-critical essential services, including health, education, and social protection.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the CEED Global Policy Lead and in close collaboration with relevant staff within the CEED team, and across Programmes (PG), Division of Global Communications and Advocacy (GCA), Public Partnerships Division (PPD), and with Country and Regional Offices as required. 

Scope of Work:

The consultant will provide support across overall climate policy and political tracks, with a specific focus on strategy, the Action Agenda, advising the host country office on the COP process, and supporting liaison between the CEED policy team, RO and CO. Additionally, the consultant will work closely with the Presidency’s Youth Climate Champions and with the UNFCCC secretariat as needed, including contributing to the development of the UNICEF-UNFCCC framework agreement. The consultant will also help ensure continuity of COP initiatives in which UNICEF is involved, such as the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Support UNICEF strategy to embed child rights agenda as a priority within the incoming COP Presidency’s strategy and approach, focusing on political track and action agenda.         

• Draft initial COP30 Presidency political strategy, collate feedback and refine document based on feedback from CEED, CO, RO and other divisions as required (30 January 2025)
• 9 monthly meeting notes (1-2 pages) of monthly calls with the Brazil CO with respect to updates on their Presidency engagement, highlighting key activities, progress and action points (9x meetings) (30 January 2025, 30 February 2025, 30 March 2025, 30 April 2025, 30 May 2025, 30 June 2025, 30 September 2025, 30 October 2025, 30 November 2025)
• Review and provide technical inputs to the PYCC work plan for 2025, in line with UNICEF priorities (30 March 2025)
• Review draft Action Agenda initiative key documents (at least 3) issued by the Presidency and provide technical feedback to reflect UNICEF positions, collating inputs from colleagues in PG and other divisions (30 November 2024)

Effective stakeholder engagement strategy successfully delivered at COP30, building on the progress made so far with champion countries, and non-Party stakeholders.

• 1 x internal UNICEF roadmap outlining opportunities for UNICEF on political engagement towards the UNFCCC process, including at COP (30 January 2025)
• 1 x strategy document on UNICEF’s long-term government engagement and coalition-building strategy, including the expansion and structuring of an informal group of friends focused on delivery of UNICEF policy and programming priorities (28 February 2025)
• 9 x monthly meetings facilitated between COP30 Presidency, PYCC, UNFCCC and UNICEF to provide updates on UNICEF policy positions with respect to negotiations workstreams and the Action Agenda, including written readouts for circulation to UNICEF (30 January 2025, 30 February 2025, 30 March 2025, 30 April 2025, 30 May 2025, 30 June 2025, 30 September 2025, 30 October 2025, 30 November 2025)
• Support delivery of 4 x milestone events with governments and other key counterparts, including preparation of concept note, list of participants and contact details, briefing notes, talking points, 1–2-page summary notes, and responding to logistical enquiries (30 March 2025, 30 June 2025, 30 September 2025, 30 November 2025)

Internal coordination mechanisms established, with structured meetings and regular updates provided to UNICEF HQ/CO teams.        

• 9 x monthly briefing notes (2 pages) to prepare for TaskForce calls between country and regional offices and HQ, including updates on discussions with Presidency, governments and other key stakeholders, suggested agenda items, and talking points, and prepare a readout for each (30 January 2025, 30 February 2025, 30 March 2025, 30 April 2025, 30 May 2025, 30 June 2025, 30 September 2025, 30 October 2025, 30 November 2025)
• Preparation of 3 x in-house webinars for SBs, COP and debrief, in collaboration with other divisions as required (15 May 2025, 15 October 2025, 14 December 2025)
• Compile one document of PG sector policy engagement plans and associated knowledge products, including a concise summary of key evidence and recommendations to inform UNICEF policy engagement. Update once a quarter, resulting in 4x updates (30 November 2025)

Support CEED policy team knowledge management           

• 12 updates to internal SharePoint and external COP pages with relevant internal and external materials completed (30 January 2025, 30 February 2025, 30 March 2025, 30 April 2025, 30 May 2025, 30 June 2025, 30 September 2025, 30 October 2025, 30 November 2025)

Support the successful delivery of COP-related initiatives on behalf of UNICEF.

• 1 x written wrap up report containing a summary of key policy-focused events, meetings and developments, including documentation of UNICEF’s engagement/contribution, key achievements and lessons learned, recommendations for future consideration. (30 November 2025).

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in the area of in a STEM field, science policy and international relations, or related fields is required.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• Master’s degree in international relations, environmental science, social sciences, sustainability, or equivalent areas
• 4+ years’ experience delivering outcomes in climate-relevant sectors
• Experience working in large-scale international development events
• Ability to communicate effectively with potential partners and government officials.
• Experience preparing briefing documents, talking points, and presentations for high-level officials.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment
• Strong grasp of the COP30 Presidency office is desirable
• Demonstrated experience and proven track record in international meetings, sustainable development, climate, and the UN.
• Strong strategic and tactical thinking, with an ability to execute and reprioritize tasks while maintaining a clear focus on the overall strategy
• Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills paired with a keen sense of how and what to prioritize
•  Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, accepting different approaches and styles of communication.
• Strong communication skills and documented writing skills in English.

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.