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, dedication.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The overall aim of the contract is to support ECARO Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster risk Reduction (CEED) section and six UNICEF country offices in the Western Balkans to implement Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan in the Western Balkans.

Scope of Work

The Western Balkans are facing a growing threat from climate change, particularly extreme weather events and pollution. Nearly 2,9 million children in the Western Balkans (WB) are vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. Air pollution remains to be the biggest environmental health risk factor for children in the Western Balkans. Nearly every child – 99 per cent of all children in the region– is exposed to excessive levels of air pollutants detrimental to their health and development.

UNICEF adopted the Global Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) in November 2023 that provides a framework for action to protect the lives, health and well-being of children, to strengthen the essential services children rely on, and to empower every child through their life course with the education, and skills to be a champion for the environment. UNICEF is committed to reshaping policy and putting children at the centre of climate policy and finance.

The Western Balkan countries are aspiring European Union (EU) accession countries and as such have committed to the implementation of the EU Acquis and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The EU supports financially the implementation of the ambitious Green Agenda through the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPAIII), the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), and other instruments as the main implementing mechanisms. Furthermore, the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkan is now investing more than €260M EU funds in education facilities and human capital. UNICEF have achieved substantial results in the climate change education and youth engagement areas with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) as part of the programme ‘Improving Air Quality in the Western Balkans’ in partnership with the Swedish Environment Protection Agency (SwEPA). Documenting UNICEF contribution to the EU Green Agenda and other important EU policy processes for the Western Balkans (such as the EU Growth Plan for the WB) is crucial for UNICEF to explore opportunities and mobilize more resources from other multilateral donors.

The Western Balkan governments are non-annex countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and are developing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and other related communication documents to UNFCCC in line with the Paris Agreement. The upcoming submission of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0, due by the end of 2025, presents a critical opportunity to advocate for the integration of child-focused priorities within national climate strategies. UNICEF role in supporting the governments in developing child-centred climate policies that enhance the resilience of the essential social services for children to withstand the impacts of climate change while minimizing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is crucial. Documenting UNICEF contributions and advocacy for child-sensitive NDCs is necessary for further positioning UNICEF as an important partner in the climate and environment area and a partner of choice for the Government and other stakeholders.

UNICEF is looking for someone with extensive experience of work in the Western Balkans in communication and climate. The successful candidate would need to have good understanding of UNICEF work on climate and environment in the Western Balkans, the EU accession process and key political documents, such as the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the EU Growth Plan, and an understanding of the private sector in the WBs.

Key deliverables of the consultancy work include:

• Investment case on climate change and children in the Western Balkans
• Document COs contribution to the EU Growth Plan, EU Acquis implementation, and the Green Agenda for the WBs
• Document progress on child sensitive NDCs in the Western Balkans
• Support private sector engagement on climate and environment in the Western Balkans
• Mapping of climate finance opportunities for the Western Balkans that could support UNICEF SCAP implementation in the Western Balkans

The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNICEF Regional Technical Coordination and the Senior Programme Specialist, and in collaboration with the UNICEF country offices in the Western Balkans.

Work Assignment Overview

Estimated Duration of the Contract

24 working days between September 2024 and April 2025.

Consultant’s Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be remote/home-based with no travels foreseen.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 24 working days to undertake this assignment.

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

• Master’s degree in social sciences, climate, environment, communication, business administration, green economy or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in communications and private sector engagement of which at least 3 years working with climate and environment is required.
• Experience of work with relevant stakeholders in climate, environment, UNFCCC and EU is an asset.
• Excellent ability to communicate and write in English.
• Creativity and innovation skills.
• Competence in graphic design.
• Proficiency in a Western Balkan language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most marginalized children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Please include a full CV and a Cover Letter in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and professional fee (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.