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, protection

COP29 will take place from 11-24 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the Presidency of the Ecology Minister, Mr. Mukhtar Babayev. At COP29 parties are expected to agree on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, and to continue their work across other key workstreams, including the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (the Global Goal on Adaptation), loss and damage, Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) and the mitigation and Just Transition Programmes.

In particular, COP29 will present an opportunity to build on and capture recommendations from the expert dialogue on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on children and relevant policy solutions, as mandated under the Global Stocktake Decision at COP28, and scheduled to take place at SB60 in June 2024. Such follow up could include, for example, integrating recommendations in the COP29 cover decision; the incorporation of quantifiable and qualitative targets under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for investments in the climate resilience of key social services that children rely on, including education, health and social protection; and the integration of child-sensitive metrics/indicators in the elaboration of the UAE Global Climate Resilience Framework, amongst others.

UNICEF will support the COP29 Presidency Office upon request from the COP29 Presidency Office on matters pertaining to the needs, wellbeing and voices of children and the essential services that they and their communities rely on.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will support the COP29 Presidency Office with the aim of elevating attention to children in the Presidency’s agenda and technical work towards the process, including through a dedicated focus on enhancing the climate resilience of child-critical essential services, including health, education and social protection.

The consultant will also contribute, as required, towards logistical support/coordination for UNICEF’s participation at COP29.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be expected to support overall liaison with the COP29 Presidency team on joint Government of Azerbaijan-UNICEF priorities for COP29, including, but not limited to, the following key activities:

Liaison with and technical support to the COP29 Presidency team and relevant line Ministries

The consultant will, upon request from the COP29 Presidency office, provide technical support to/liaise with the COP29 Presidency office, including its negotiations team, as well as relevant line Ministries, in relation to the integration of needs, well-being and voices of children and young people across key COP/CMA workstreams.

The consultant is expected to participate in the UNICEF HQ negotiations team, to provide content and input to the negotiation workstreams in line with UNICEF’s COP29 strategy, act as a liaison between the COP29 Presidency office and UNICEF, to follow core negotiations streams as required, provide regular written updates and relevant information/briefings as required by the COP29 Presidency Office.

In particular, a significant breakthrough for children at COP28 was the mandate provided under the Global Stocktake decision for an ‘expert dialogue’ on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on children and relevant policy solutions. This will take place during the UNFCCC intersessional (SB60) in June (in Bonn) as part of the official COP process leading up to COP 29. The consultant is expected to liaise with the Presidency-Designate of COP29 in the lead up and follow up to the expert dialogue, and specifically how outcomes can feed into the COP29 Presidency initiatives and core COP29 outcomes. Such follow up could include, for example, a strong overarching focus/thematic day for children as part of the Presidency’s agenda, and ensuring that COP29 captures progress and delivers tangible recommendations for child-sensitive climate action, both in the COP29 cover decision, and through child-sensitive outcomes across core negotiations workstreams (such as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience and Loss & Damage Fund, and progress for children under the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) agenda.

Support for acceleration of national level climate policies and action for children

Liaison/support on areas of priority identified in the UNICEF Azerbaijan Climate Plan and in collaboration with the Government of Azerbaijan, including inter alia with respect to work to enhance child-sensitivity in national climate policies and plans and the Government of Azerbaijan’s possible alignment with the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action.

Coordination/logistical support

Contributing to coordination and logistical support as required to facilitate UNICEF’s participation at COP29.

Ways of working:

• Daily liaison and support to the COP29 Presidency Office
• Develop UNICEF work plan with the COP29 Presidency Office
• Participate in regular meetings with UNICEF COP 29 team, planning and associated activities (e.g. following negotiations workstreams)
• Developing and reviewing key messaging documents, talking points, in coordination with the UNICEF COP29 team
• Provide technical guidance and support to the UNICEF Azerbaijan Country Office in programming for Climate  Action in relevant areas, e.g. climate education, environmental health, youth engagement and social policy.

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

• Master’s Degree in international relations, environmental science, social sciences, sustainability, or equivalent areas
• 4+ years’ experience delivering outcomes in climate-relevant sectors
• Experience working in large-scale international development events
• Ability to communicate effectively with potential partners and government officials.
• Experience preparing briefing documents, talking points, and presentations for high-level officials.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment
• Strong grasp of the COP29 Presidency Office is desirable
• Up-to-date knowledge of Azerbaijan governance structure is desirable
• Demonstrated experience and proven track record in international meetings, sustainable development, climate, and the UN.
• Strong strategic and tactical thinking, with an ability to execute and reprioritize tasks while maintaining a clear focus on the overall strategy
• Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills paired with a keen sense of how and what to prioritize
•  Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, accepting different approaches and styles of communication.
• Strong communication skills and documented writing skills in English.

Interested applicants should submit technical and financial proposals along with their application.

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.