Climate Change & Environment Officer

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Education Specialist, UNICEF Viet Nam, the UN Volunteer Expert will contribute to UNICEF programmes on climate change education, disasters risks reduction, education in emergencies and will contribute to the equity portfolio, including a particular focus on the juncture between Climate Change & Environment and equity (e.g. highlighting and addressing impact of climate change on disadvantaged populations including girls, ethnic minority populations, and children with disabilities), but also more broadly to programmes on gender equality, inclusion and youth participation. The incumbent will provide technical and programmatic support across the Education Team’s Climate Change, Environment, Equity and Inclusion portfolios, with a particular focus on designing, piloting and testing innovative approaches to climate change education. This includes supporting the development and field testing of proof-of-concept initiatives related to climate-smart solutions, green skills and climate action, green technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the use of renewable energy in schools, school- and community-based waste management, and clean air initiatives for children and adolescents. The incumbent will also contribute to programmes that strengthen gender equality, meaningful youth participation, and equitable access to quality learning opportunities for all children and adolescents.

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Education and the supervision of the Education Specialist, UNICEF Viet Nam, the Climate Change & Environment Officer will undertake the following tasks:

Program Development (35%):
- Contribute to the further development, design and management of the Education Section’s the disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change and environment portfolio.
- Support strategic planning, coordination and implementation of Office-wide climate change mitigation interventions.
- Lead the research and knowledge generation portfolio on climate change and education, including enhancing the knowledge based on the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on children, particularly the most disadvantaged, and inform advocacy, policy dialogue and child-responsive legislation.
- Enhance climate change mainstreaming in UNICEF Vietnam Country Office’ portfolio and programming, with an initial focus on the Education programme.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of social and behaviour change (SBC) strategies and interventions aimed at children and youth related to environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
- Contribute to the Education in emergencies interventions, including attending the emergency management team meetings, support the emergency focal points for all education-related matters.
- Develop strategic policy position papers, advocacy materials and internal briefing notes on climate change and environmental issues, as well as on gender equality, inclusion and equity.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of interventions that promote gender equality, inclusion and equity within the Education programme.
- Contribute technical inputs and, where relevant provide technical leadership, to cross-sectoral initiatives related to climate change and resilience, gender equality, equity and inclusion.

Programme and Grant Management (35%):
- Support the experimentation of innovative climate solution in schools and undertake regular on-the-sight monitoring of the progresses made.
- Provide day to day oversight of DRR, climate change, environmental issues and climate smart school portfolio of the section.
- Regular tracking of the various DRR, climate change related indicators in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) of the section.
- Lead the management of assigned grants, including Skills4Girls and the French NatCom’s grant, overseeing financial management, programme implementation visibility efforts, donor engagement and reporting, while supporting broader Education Section priorities as required.

Partnership and Resource Mobilization (30%):
- Support the Education Section’s donor relations management and communication efforts on achieved results via social media and any other relevant channels.
- Identify potential resource mobilization opportunities for climate change action in Education and education in emergencies; Prepare funding proposals and briefing documents for donors to mobilize investments for climate smart schools/climate action/renewable energy solutions/gender and climate/equity and inclusion in Viet Nam.
- Develop and foster strategic partnerships with government and national institutions, donors, UN and non-UN system organizations, academia, civil society organizations, and youth-led organizations to advance UNICEF’s climate and education agenda.
- Maintain active engagement with the regional and global technical networks to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote the application of emerging evidence and good practices within the country programme.