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Background:

Disasters, climate change, and environmental degradation present significant and escalating threats to the well-being of children globally. In order to protect the lives, health and well-being of children and strengthen the resilience and capacity of their communities to adapt essential social services to a changing climate, more frequent/extreme disasters and a degrading environment, a comprehensive child-inclusive subnational risk assessment along with data systems and policies that work across development and disaster management to identify and prioritize the most vulnerable children and services are needed. This data and analysis can be used to inform multiple purposes: disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, preparedness planning, and wider development agendas.Iraq has historically been affected by climate shocks and stresses of distinct nature, intensity, and range. Flooding, drought, storms, are some examples of climate related episodes that have a strong impact across multiple economic and social sectors – affecting almost all regions and the general population. Iraq is recognized as vulnerable to climate change impacts due to its particularly high dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and the country’s low adaptive capacity. As a result, families face loss of livelihoods, children face disruption of education and limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition, and child protection services. There is also a greater risk of exploitation, abuse, violence, and family separation.

UNICEF is seeking a dedicated, proactive international consultant to work closely with UNICEF country team, Government and Non-Government partners to support in NDC revision and develop a theoretical framework for the CCRI-DRM model, facilitating the identification of indicator data sets and the construction of the CCRI_DRM index indicators and model with government line ministries, and the preparation of tools, procedures, and documentations for the development of the CCRI-DRM. Once risk is understood and informed by data, high level sectoral briefs shall be prepared to inform sector priorities for the mainstreaming of climate resilience and mitigation/adaptation investments.

Background:

Disasters, climate change, and environmental degradation present significant and escalating threats to the well-being of children globally. In order to protect the lives, health and well-being of children and strengthen the resilience and capacity of their communities to adapt essential social services to a changing climate, more frequent/extreme disasters and a degrading environment, a comprehensive child-inclusive subnational risk assessment along with data systems and policies that work across development and disaster management to identify and prioritize the most vulnerable children and services are needed. This data and analysis can be used to inform multiple purposes: disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, preparedness planning, and wider development agendas.

Iraq has historically been affected by climate shocks and stresses of distinct nature, intensity, and range. Flooding, drought, storms, are some examples of climate related episodes that have a strong impact across multiple economic and social sectors – affecting almost all regions and the general population. Iraq is recognized as vulnerable to climate change impacts due to its particularly high dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and the country’s low adaptive capacity. As a result, families face loss of livelihoods, children face disruption of education and limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition, and child protection services. There is also a greater risk of exploitation, abuse, violence, and family separation.

The objective of the CCRI-DRM is to support the establishment of a national-led, multistakeholder framework on the nexus between children’s climate and disaster risks and the development of their full potential in Iraq. The CCRI-DRM subnational assessment is envisaged to capture the following components:

•            A subnational Children’s Climate Risk Index - Disaster Risk Model for Iraq;

•            An interactive platform making the CCRI-DRM model and underlying indicator data, as well as other relevant indicators open source and publicly accessible.

•            A multi-stakeholder technical platform guiding the production and update of the CCRI-DRM and the analysis and use of its’ results.

•            A CCRI-DRM analytical report to support the alignment and coordination of planning and programming efforts of national actors with informed by identified child vulnerabilities and risks from climate, environmental and other shocks and stresses and climate changes.

The promotion and facilitation of the use of evidence on climate, environmental and disaster risks to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction, resilient development.

The initiative will support Iraq to respond to the need for an integrated child-sensitive disaster risk information system and platform for governmental institutions at national and subnational levels. The CCRI-DRM platform will bring together data from different sources that already exist across various institutions and subsequently provide humanitarian and development partners up-to-date, context-specific information at subnational level on children’s vulnerabilities,  including those related to health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection and social protection, and their exposure to climate, environmental and other natural and anthropogenic hazards, shocks and stresses and disasters. This will allow for the development of tailored preparedness, mitigation, and response mechanisms informed by subnational risk data and analysis.

The objective of supporting the revision of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is aligned with international climate agreements, particularly the Paris Agreement, and are focused on mitigating climate change impacts and adapting to its effects which outlining the below key points:

Develop an analytical report on the current NDC’s integration of youth engagement and child rights ensuring that climate strategies are more comprehensive, inclusive, and effective, ultimately leading to stronger and more sustainable climate action. This report should identify gaps and provide preliminary recommendations for incorporating these elements into the NDC. Develop a state-of-the-art Climate Modeling Center to provide comprehensive baseline of historical climate data to guide future analysis and decision-making, strengthen climate modeling capabilities through collaboration with international institutions, enhance infrastructure planning through the incorporation of climate considerations, improving resilience to climate impacts and raise public and stakeholder awareness about climate change impacts.

Scope of Work:

Children’s Climate Risk Index & Disaster Risk Model (CCRI-DRM)  

 •            The consultant will support the development and implementation of the first version of the [Iraq] subnational CCRI-DRM assessment and interactive platform, from building stakeholder arrangements, conceptual design, consolidation of the CCRI-DRM indicator data through to the construction of index, including series of consultations and trainings of key national partners. S/he will work under the general guidance and supervision of the WASH Specialist and engage and work closely with UNICEF programme sector focal points and Government and Non-Government partners to carry out the following specific tasks:

•            Support the establishment of a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee and Technical Working Group (TWG) to guide and facilitate the development of the CCRI-DRM

•            Conduct a participatory diagnosis of national capacities to provide reliable, objective, timely and sustainable information to feed the CCRI-DRM model and interactive platform.

•            Conduct research and review existing tools and sources of shocks and stresses, exposure and vulnerability data and information and work with respective Government and Non-Government partners to identify existing risk factors and available indicators and data sources for the construction of the subnational CCRI-DRM model.

•            Facilitate and support the development of the theoretical framework of the country’s subnational CCRI_DRM model and the establishment of indicators and data sources, based on that of the global Children’s Climate Risk Index in consultation with the TWG and relevant other stakeholders.

•            Facilitate and support the development and implementation of the first version of the [Iraq] subnational CCRI-DRM model in close collaboration with the TWG, including collection, compilation and cleaning of secondary indicator data; establishing data sharing mechanisms, procedures and tools; constructing the model indices and documenting metadata; managing a review and validation process with the TWG and other stakeholders and making necessary revisions to the model; preparing documentation of the model and it’s results; and presenting and explaining the model and results  to TWG and associated stakeholders.

•  Support complementary sectoral analysis to support sector decision making.

•            Work in close collaboration with the TWG and UNICEF information management team throughout the process and deliver training so they are able to maintain the model and interactive platform and make updates and adjustments in the future.

Support youth engagement throughout the process enabling them to share ideas and opinions to inform practice and policy decisions as agents for change.

Climate Change Risk Index (CCRI):

1. Develop a concept note and work plan in collaboration with the UNICEF team and the Ministry of Environment and other relevant partners.

2.  Support the establishment of a multi-stakeholder Technical Working Group (TWG) to guide, facilitate the development of the CCDRI and support a lead or co-leads in engaging and facilitating inputs of other relevant (line) ministries, institutions, and partners.

3.           Conduct of a participatory diagnosis of national capacities to provide reliable, objective, timely and sustainable information to feed the CCDRI and interactive platform. Research and review existing tools, data sources of situation and risk information and work with respective government and other partners to identify existing risks and available indicators and datasets in the country for the construction of the national and subnational models.

4. Support the development of the theoretical framework of children’s climate and disaster risk for the country context, based on that of the global Children’s Climate Risk Index in consultation with TWG and relevant other stakeholders.

5. Support the development and first-time application of the conceptual design: index of indicators and metadata; data sharing mechanisms, procedures and tools; collection quality review, collation and presentation of data to TWG and associated stakeholders.

 

UNICEF Iraq contributions towards the National Determinate Contribution (NDC 3.0) Revision

•  Support developing analytical report on the integration of youth engagement and child rights in the current NDC’s revision ensuring that climate strategies are more comprehensive, inclusive and effective, ultimately leading to stronger and more sustainable climate action to showcase the importance of scaling up and accelerating investment in child- and youth-responsive adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation measures while empowering them to gain knowledge, and skills and actively participate in policy revision and engage them in climate actions .

•  Support developing a cutting-edge climate modeling system tailored to Iraq's specific climatic conditions, improve understanding of regional climate dynamics and variability, assess potential impacts on key sectors such as agriculture, water resources, and public health and formulate evidence-based adaptation and mitigation strategies along with  creating platform to facilitate a collaborative approach emphasizing the core theme of social and behavioral change towards sustainable climate actions, where climate actors can explore innovative strategies, applying behavioral sciences and showcase community led actionable solutions relevant to the Iraqi context to be scaled up. and document behavior change models among children and young people.

Activities and Tasks:

Deliverables: At the end of the consultancy work, the consultant shall deliver the below products/deliverables:

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

. Education: 

Master’s degree in Degree in Social Sciences, Data Science, Statistics, Public Policy, Development, or related degree areas of work. In lieu of an advanced degree, a bachelor’s degree may be accepted in combination with 8 years of relevant experience.

. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience related to the development of information systems, management and analysis of quantitative data.

 

Experience in the statistical systems, data exchange and information sharing mechanisms/structures in Iraq; with this experience related to climate and disaster risk management areas a strong asset.

Knowledge of national and local governance and climate change and disaster risk management, and of the systems in place to respond to risk and vulnerability.

Experience of working with government partners including relevant line Ministries and stakeholders including UN agencies.

Experience in facilitating inter-institutional working groups and coordination mechanisms with multiple members and associated stakeholders.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Analysis skills and quantitative and qualitative synthesis of information.

Experience in researching and preparing written analytical reports in an accurate, concise, and timely manner.

Experience in organization, facilitation, systematization, and presentation of results.

Skills for facilitating and managing training processes.

Excellent oral and written English skills.

Experience working with open-source GIS technology is an asset.

 

Communication:

•            Excellent personal and professional communication and presentation skills.

•            Strong analytical and communications skills, and a proven ability to draft a wide range of documentation (correspondence, briefing and concept notes, talking points etc.).

•            Proven advocacy, analytical and writing skills.

 

Teamwork:

•            Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.

•            Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open, positive, and enabling environment.

•            Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

 

Technical Competencies:

•            Direct experience with the development of subnational risk analysis.

•            Familiarity with subnational adaptation processes, stakeholders, and technical support teams.

•            Knowledge of DRR concepts, global policy frameworks and principles and ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations.

•            Knowledge of information management for humanitarian and/or development sector.

•            Ability to identify and organize programmes to implement solutions and generate resources.

•            Ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external actors

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  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.

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:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.