International Consultant to conduct a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children in Kosovo, Prishtina, Pillar2, 6 months (38 days involvement)

Pristina

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Pristina
Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Children's rights (health and protection)
- Climate Change
Closing Date: Closed

Every child deserves to grow up in an environment that promotes their health, education, and safety, despite the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation.

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,

Kosovo faces numerous challenges in dealing with climate change. This includes limited implementation of the climate change strategy, a heavy reliance on coal, and not meeting emission reduction targets. Kosovo has signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU. It's part of the Energy Community Treaty, which sets goals for reducing energy use and increasing renewable energy. In 2023 Kosovo has also committed to voluntarily aligning itself with the Paris Agreement and set a Nationally Determined Contribution for the first time. Despite its challenges, Kosovo has begun to lay the groundwork for comprehensive climate action. Various laws and policies have been enacted, focusing on environmental protection, energy efficiency, and sustainable development. Ministries such as the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development have been pivotal in driving these initiatives. However, there remains a significant gap in explicitly addressing the unique needs and rights of children within the context of climate change and environmental policies.

UNICEF Kosovo will conduct a Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) in order to foster a comprehensively understanding of the climate, environment, energy, and disaster (CEED) risk landscape in Kosovo, focusing on how these factors affect children's well-being and development. The CLAC will serve as a foundational document for UNICEF Kosovo, enabling it to tailor its advocacy, forge strategic partnerships, and pinpoint programmatic interventions that address the emerging CEED-related challenges impacting children in the current programme and to inform the development of the 2026-20230 Programme.

In line with the UNICEF Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land), the CLAC will guide UNICEF's programming for the upcoming years. Moreover, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the children recently issued a new ‘General Comment No. 26 on children’s rights and the environment with special focus on climate change1. The commentary emphasizes children's entitlement to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment while acknowledging that “every child on Earth is already impacted by a planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss”.2 The study will provide valuable insights for government bodies, development agencies, and civil society organizations, helping them refine their strategies with a focus on children's rights and gender equality.

The CLAC in Kosovo will utilize a child rights and programmatic lens to explore the impact of CEED issues on various aspects of children's lives, including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, health, education, child protection, social inclusion, and gender equality. It will also highlight the positive contributions that children and young people can make to the CEED agenda.

Given Kosovo's aspirations for European integration, the CLAC will consider the European Union's environmental acquis and funding opportunities available for Western Balkan countries. This approach ensures that the analysis is not only relevant to Kosovo's current context but also aligned with broader regional and international frameworks.

An international consultant, supported by UNICEF Kosovo and national expert, will lead the CLAC's development. The international consultant will work in close collaboration with a national consultant and in close collaboration with relevant partners from Kosovo institutions, civil society organizations, private sector and others as relevant. To ensure ownership of the process, a study reference group will be established which will act as a reference team of experts to provide technical support and review of the design of the study and the final report.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will assess the current state of climate, energy, and environmental challenges impacting children and youth in Kosovo, offering practical advice to both the government and UNICEF. This will include guidance on integrating child considerations into the harmonization of European Union chapters 14 and 27, along with other climate and environmental policies. Additionally, the consultant will explore opportunities to enhance public and private partnerships focused on mitigating the effects of climate, energy, and environmental issues on children, and pinpointing adaptation requirements.

Under the overall supervision of the Child Rights Monitoring Specialist and the Climate Focal Point, the International Consultant will provide technical expertise on developing the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) and provide direction and support to the Kosovo office to programme its recommendations.

The study will be guided by the following questions:

Identify, analyze and describe the key climate, energy and environment issues that have an impact on children and youth in Kosovo (including from the perspective of the child rights enshrined in the CRC as well as from the perspective of thematic areas, e.g. nutrition, health, mental health, education, social protection, WASH and human security etc.);
Identify and collect data and information gaps related to climate, environment and energy issues to be filled in subsequent studies;
Analyse and describe the additional impact of inequalities (such as inequalities related to income, geography, urban/rural divide, disability, gender, age group, ethnicity, environmental risk exposure etc.) on climate, energy and environment vulnerability among children;
Identify youth organizations and youth champions active on topics of climate, energy and environment and propose concrete channels and mechanisms for their participation in policy-making and monitoring;
Based on the existing mapping of the partnership landscape of public institutions and development partners active on climate, energy and environment, conduct an analysis on the type of engagement or investment and technical expertise.
Review and summarize the current public revenue and expenditure on climate, energy and environment at the national level and local level (if available)
Analyse, estimate and describe the current and long-term effects of under-financing in the areas of climate, energy and environment on child rights
Estimate the social and financial dividend needed to mitigate these effects
Analyse current private sector engagement in climate, energy and environment issues and the feasibility of increasing its involvement
Provide concrete recommendations for improving the social/environmental impact analysis of public and private investments, particularly in view of achieving the SDGs (based on desk review).
Provide concrete recommendations for up to 3 climate, energy or environment activities focused on children and youth, taking into consideration the current financing environment and UNICEF’s comparative advantage in providing technical assistance and policy advice.
Identify policy requirements and entry points for UNICEF to advocate for climate change, energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction (CEED) policy.

The study will follow a mixed methodology for data collection and should be based on a comprehensive desk review analysis which will further inform the implementation process and data collection and analysis. The tasks below and deliverables are to be implemented in close collaboration with the Local Consultant who will provide support to the entire process with emphasis on fieldwork and data collection.

Within the scope of the work, the key expected outputs are to be achieved by this consultancy:

Deliverable 1: Desk review of the relevant documents, policies and other materials

Desk review includes the package of materials provided by UNICEF including updating the repository with new or additional information and identifying the need for supplementary materials. This process also entails compiling an analysis scheme specifically tailored for materials in Albanian language, facilitating UNICEF and local consultants' follow-up actions.

Deliverable 2: Prepare and present Inception Report

Develop an inception report that will outline the background of the study, providing context and highlighting the significance of the research within its field. Design the methodology for data collection and analysis that will allow for collection of all relevant data with representatives from relevant institutions, non-governmental organizations, children and youth groups and other relevant groups as appropriate. As required, the instruments developed, and the methodology of data collection will undergo ethical review. The study design and the proposed methodology will be presented to the study reference group. By including all relevant aspects of the study, the inception report will serve as a roadmap, guiding the international and local consultants through the implementation phase and setting the stage for insightful analysis and findings. Review the report internally and externally, aiming for up to 3 versions for finalization.

Deliverable 3: Data collection and analysis

Develop the guidance and data collection tools, facilitate data collection from the field and conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The international consultant will coordinate with local consultant for conducting interviews (online) with stakeholders (not children/young people). Engagement of all relevant partners throughout the process is critical to ensure ownership which should be informed by a stakeholder mapping conducting as part of the desk review. S/he will oversee the plan of data collection and analysis that UNICEF will facilitate through the national consultant.

Deliverable 4 – Draft final report and presentation, finalize final report

Compile the final analytical report based on the triangulation of information from desk review and data collection exercise to draw on conclusions that are based on sound evidence and development of clear recommendations to inform interventions for strengthening monitoring, policy development and service provision for climate change, energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction (CEED). Draft Final Report will be shared with UNICEF and the study reference group. The consultant is responsible for finalizing the report, following comments from the validation workshop.

The report is expected to contain, among others:

Summary of the current public revenue and expenditure on climate, energy and environment at national level and local level (if available)
Analysis, estimation and description of the current and long-term effects of under-financing in the areas of climate, energy and environment on child rights
Analysis of current private sector engagement in climate, energy and environment issues and the feasibility of increasing its involvement
Concrete recommendations for improving the social/environmental impact analysis of public and private investments.
Recommend climate, energy or environment projects focused on children, taking into consideration the current financing environment and UNICEF’s comparative advantage in providing technical assistance and policy advice.
Where possible, identify policy requirements and entry points for UNICEF to advocate for climate change, energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction (CEED) policy.

Deliverable 5 – Presentation of findings and recommendations in the validation workshop and meetings with high-level officials

The consultant will present the report's findings and recommendations in the validation workshop. Moreover, during the field visit, the consultant will conduct meetings with high-level officials to present the recommendations for UNICEF’s advocacy efforts.

Deliverable 6 - Advocacy brief prepared

A consultant is expected to prepare an advocacy brief for use with the external public.

Ethical considerations

The study will be conducted in full accordance with the following international and regional guidelines for research ethics and methods, as well as personal data protection issues:

UNICEF Procedures for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation, Data Collection and Analysis; UNICEF Strategic Guidance Note on Institutionalizing Ethical Practice for UNICEF Research; General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a regional law of the European Union (EU) requiring institutions to protect personal data and the privacy of EU citizens inside and outside of the EU. The study design must take into consideration how ethical concerns shall be addressed to avoid stigma, discrimination, any form of harm to children and their parents, protection of confidentiality, protection of rights, ensuring the dignity and welfare of all respondents.

Work Assignments Overview: Desk review of the package of materials provided by UNICEF; Update the repository of materials with new/additional information; Identify the need for additional materials for desk review

Deliverables/Outputs: Desk review completed
Delivery deadline: 2 weeks after the start date of the consultancy, Tentative date: 15 Apr 2024) 5 days

Work Assignments Overview: Develop an inception report that includes a summary of the desk review, work plan, methodology, information on data tools, and a timetable. The draft inception report will be reviewed by UNICE, relevant stakeholders - and the study reference group. If required, the IR will undergo an external quality assurance review.

The finalization of the IR reflects feedback from the reviewing process
Deliverables/Outputs: Development and finalization of the Inception Report (IR),
Delivery deadline: 1 month after the starting date of the consultancy. Tentative date (15 May 2024) 10 days

Work Assignments Overview: Conduct data collection and interviews (online) with stakeholders (not children/young people) based on the methodology presented and approved during the inception phase.
Deliverables/Outputs: Data collection and analyses conducted
Delivery deadline: One month after the finalization of the IR Tentative date (17 Jun 2024) 7 days.

Work Assignments Overview: Draft Final Report to be shared with UNICEF and study reference group.

Revise the 2nd draft of the report based on the feedback received. Develop presentation PTT and present findings and recommendations in the validation workshop Finalize the report based on the feedback from the validation workshop
Deliverables/Outputs: Finalization of the report and presentation of the report
Delivery deadline: One month after data collection is completed The tentative date for the draft report is 20 Jul 204 Finalization of the report (10 Sep 2024) 12 days

Work Assignments Overview: Present findings and recommendations in the validation workshop and to High-Level Officials
Deliverables/Outputs: Presentation in the validation workshops Meetings with High-level officials
Delivery deadline: Two months after data collection is completed Tentative date 10 Sep 2024 (2 days in Kosovo)

Work Assignments Overview: Develop a document for advocacy purposes (2-3 pages)
Deliverables/Outputs: Advocacy brief developed
Delivery deadline: Tentative date (15 Sep 2024) 2 days.

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

At least 8 full years of extensive expertise in conducting similar research (having conducted research for UNICEF is an asset, having research positively rated by UNICEF’s quality assurance system is an additional asset). PREFERABLY, author of CLAC with UNICEF.;
Experience in environmental science, social policy and public finance, governance, private sector engagement, cost analysis in social areas;
Demonstrated experience in child rights programming or any of UNICEF's main areas of work (health, WASH, nutrition, child protection, social policy, education, gender), following a human rights-based approach and gender equality.;
Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis;
Knowledge on child rights, HRBA, and gender equality is an asset;
Excellent research and report writing skills with proven experience in analyzing as specified in the TOR.
Good communication skills
Fluency in English

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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