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.

 

Consultancy Title: Climate Data Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Analysis, Planning & Monitor, Programme Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 27 January 2025 to 31 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: 

To support the development of global hazard database and the next version of Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI) within the Climate and Environment Data Unit.

 

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Climate & Environment Data Science Specialist, the consultant will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Support the Climate and Environment data unit to establish the global climate and environment database
• Support the unit in developing, testing and building the Children Climate Risk Index (CCRI 2.0)
• Support analysis of processed data.
• Travel to workshops or meetings, as needed

In close collaboration with the Statistics and Monitoring Manager and the Data Science Specialist to document and support with the knowledge management of existing and new processes.

 

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. Support the exposure analysis and inclusion of additional climate and environment indicators including but not limited to air pollution, vector borne diseases and water scarcity

• A set of additional indicators processed and uploaded to SharePoint and Global Hazard Database (15 Feb 2025)

2. Support the development of composite Children Climate Risk Index (CCRI 2.0) including testing different clustering and aggregation approaches         

• CCRI 2.0 Index generation (15 Mar 2025)

3. Assist in enhancing the Google Earth Engine app with additional indicators and tools

• Enhanced GEE app (15 Apr 2025)

4. Support with visualization and reporting for CCRI 2.0 release           

• CCRI visualization platform (15 May 2025)

5. Provide detailed documentation of all the methods and backend development including the maintenance Google Earth Engine App    

• A set of technical documentation provided (30 Jun 2025)

6. Assist in Google Earth Engine Server side functions

• GEE server-side functions established (15 Aug 2025)

7. Update the common github repository with all methods and codes  

• Updated Github page available (30 Sep 2025)

8. Support the update of the Climate and Environment Data Handbook      

• Updated handbook available  (30 Oct 2025)

9. Explore and test innovative AI solutions that is applicable for climate data possible

• Document and prototype of possible AI solution (31 Dec 2025)

 

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in computer science, data science, geospatial technology, or any other related discipline.

 

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• Advanced degree in computer science, data science, geospatial technology or any other related discipline is required.
• Demonstrated 2-3 years of expertise with geospatial analysis is required.
• Experience using python and geospatial packages including an ability to code and work independently investigating and resolving program bugs is required.
• Experience in python-based Google Earth Engine programming is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues and modeling challenges for climate and environmental data.
• Strong interpersonal skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent excel data management skills.
• Knowledge of climate, environment, and disaster risk reduction concepts and frameworks is an asset.
• Familiarity with analytical frameworks and approaches to children and young people’s rights, gender, and inclusion is an asset.
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Additional official UN working languages are a plus.

 

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.