Senior Adviser (Sustainable Environments), P-5, DRP – New York Headquarters, USA, #84763

As the Senior Adviser of Sustainable Environments, you will be at the forefront of this work, supporting the Chief, Sustainability and Policy Action in the Division for Data Research and Policy at UNICEF New York Headquarters. You will be responsible for further developing and overseeing the implementation of UNICEF's policies and approaches related to children, climate change, sustainable energy and environment, leading a team of specialists in the Climate, Energy and Environment Team. You will serve as the authoritative adviser to UNICEF Headquarters and the field, represent UNICEF at interagency meetings and global fora.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a future…

The evidence is indisputable: climate change and environmental degradation undermine the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged. UNICEF is committed to increasing its contribution to environmental sustainability, given both the importance of the issue to children and the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNICEF has identified four priorities on environment, energy and children that should inform its programme work and operations: 1) Advocacy and accountability – using UNICEF's influence, reach and expertise, including the generation of evidence to support governments' efforts to reach their ambitious commitments, to help develop more ambitious programmes that protect children from the impact of climate change and strengthen engagement of young people in actions related to environmental issues; 2) Climate change adaptation through resilient development and developing programmes that support children and their families to overcome disasters and reduce the risk; 3) Climate change mitigation – supporting communities to transition to a low-carbon development pathway and; 4) Greening UNICEF operations.

Watch "Voices from the Climate Frontlines" and hear what children think about climate change.

For more information on UNICEF’s work on environmental sustainability for children, visit:  https://www.unicef.org/environment/

How can you make a difference? 

As the Senior Adviser of Sustainable Environments, you will be at the forefront of this work, supporting the Chief, Sustainability and Policy Action in the Division for Data Research and Policy at UNICEF New York Headquarters. You will be responsible for further developing and overseeing the implementation of UNICEF's policies and approaches related to children, climate change, sustainable energy and environment, leading a team of specialists in the Climate, Energy and Environment Team. You will serve as the authoritative adviser to UNICEF Headquarters and the field, represent UNICEF at interagency meetings and global fora.

This will involve:

1. Developing and overseeing implementation of UNICEF's policy on climate change, energy and environment (CEE).
2. Providing overall technical guidance and support to other divisions and the field on CEE Leading UNICEF's global advocacy on CEE and children.
3. Generating of policy analysis on the intersection between climate and environment, fragility and human security.
4. Leading UNICEF's global partnership building on climate and environmental degradation
5. Effectively leading the team.

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

• An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in environment, energy or climate change, or other relevant disciplines.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant progressively responsible work experience focused on developing countries, including fragile contexts, of which 4-6 years focus on areas related to development cooperation in climate change, low carbon development, environment, air pollution and sustainable energy.

• Proven experience in successfully mobilizing climate finance for climate change adaptation and low carbon development projects is required (includes the GCF, GEF/LDCF/SCCF and Adaptation Fund).
• Experience leading a diverse team.
• Work experience in a development or humanitarian setting including field experience.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset. 

You will also have in-depth knowledge and expertise in…

• Global policy discourse on climate change, sustainable energy and environmental issues, urbanization, fragile contexts and human security.
• Climate change impacts, climate risk assessments, and adaptation solutions.

• Greenhouse gas emissions and low carbon development solutions, especially related to sustainable energy.
• Children's rights and gender in the context of climate change adaptation and low carbon development and/or natural resources management.

For every child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty (5 years for New York, Headquarters)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.