Climate, Environment and DRR Specialist
Organizational Context
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. UNICEF Ethiopia’s Country Programme emphasizes strengthening climate-resilient, inclusive, and shock-responsive social services to safeguard children's rights amidst escalating climate and disaster risks. The office supports the Government of Ethiopia in integrating child-centered climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Job Purpose
The Climate, Environment and DRR Specialist (NO-3) provides crucial technical leadership and programme support to advance child-centered climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction within UNICEF Ethiopia's Country Programme. Reporting to the Deputy Representative (Programme), the incumbent is responsible for supporting the design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of climate- and DRR-responsive programmes. This role involves contributing technical expertise to national climate and environmental policy processes, supporting climate finance development, and strengthening the systematic integration of climate, environment, and disaster risk reduction across all UNICEF-supported programmes to ensure children's rights are protected and their potential is realized in a changing climate.
Responsibilities
The Climate, Environment and DRR Specialist will provide technical support to the country office and sectors on climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives, ensuring mainstreaming of climate and environment in programming and promoting sustainable energy use. They will support the adoption and implementation of UNICEF’s Social and Environmental Standards and Procedures, and monitor approved proposals. The specialist will offer technical assistance to the Government of Ethiopia to ensure child-sensitive climate adaptation and mitigation policies, and support the acquisition of necessary data and evidence for policy development. Engagement with key government officials and inter-governmental climate processes, such as the Conference of Parties, will be crucial to include social sectors in policy discussions. Furthermore, the role involves identifying and building strategic partnerships to strengthen in-country capacity on climate, environment, renewable energies, and financing, and to leverage climate finance for children. This includes developing and implementing climate finance strategies, coordinating and developing bankable proposals, and liaising with national focal points for global climate funds. The specialist will also provide technical assistance to government ministries to strengthen data, analysis, and evidence on climate change impacts on children and social service delivery, and support the integration of climate risk analysis, adaptation, and DRR considerations into UNICEF's work.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, environmental sustainability, or a related field, with experience in programme management and policy advocacy. Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset.
Skills
Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Environmental Sustainability, Programme Management, Policy Analysis and Advocacy, Climate Finance, Partnership Building, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Report Writing, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Child Rights