Specific responsibilities will include:

1. Developing a technical guidance and practical checklist for practitiioners on child-responsive EWS and enhance uptake;

• Develop a child responsive early warning system guidelines and checklist to support UNICEF internally (COs/ROs/HQ) and externally (Interagency level/CSO/other partners) in making the EW programming child focused and child responsive. Collaborate with various UNICEF staff in HQ, country/regional offices to develop the guidance note for how to make the early warning system child responsive, including practical checklists for each of the 4 early warning pillars (i) disaster risk knowledge, (ii) detection/monitoring/observation & forecasting, (iii) warning dissemination & communication, and (iv) preparedness & response capabilities.
• Identify country offices to conduct field-testing of the EWS child-responsive guideline and checklist in country, including engagement with national partners.
• Integrate child responsive early warning guidance into the EW4All Pillar workplans and national rollout process. For the countries that have been selected as part of the initial pilot 30 countries (Antigua, Barbuda and Barbados), support is provided in identifying gaps and facilitating completion of the implementation plan.

2. Contributing to UNICEF’s internal coordination and leveraging of capacities on EWS

• Develop a training module on making early warning systems effective for children and the services they rely upon
• Deliver a global webinar on child-responsive EWS
• Deliver/ participate in the training to ROs/ COs
• Back-stop ROs/COs with technical inputs into EWS support to Governments (review documents, provide guidance)

3. Monitoring and documenting UNICEF’s results on EWS connected to preparedness systems and wider DRR/resilience and contributions to the EW4All Initiative
   • Support with internal reporting on child responsive early warning for UNICEF’s Strategic Plan (Goal Area 4, Results Area 3) and the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
   • Take stock of existing capacities, systems within UNICEF and identify gaps and solutions to fulfilling targets in the SCAP, Strategic Plan
   • Tracking the global and national roll out of EW4All initiatives, identifying key entry points and taking stock of UNICEF’s engagement in the national EW4All implementation process e.g. stakeholder workshops and in-country contributions
   • Participate in, contribute to technical inputs to interagency working group meetings related to early warning including EW4All, and Risk Informed Early Action Partnership.
4. Drafting / compiling quality inputs for resource mobilization.

• Create a chart of indicative activities for child-responsive EWS (cross-sectoral, sector-specific) and associated cost estimate ranges at national, subnational levels
• Contribute to climate information services, preparedness, and EWS project ideas / Concept Notes / proposals (e.g. including for the Green Climate Fund)
• Liaise with colleagues across divisions / offices to get inputs as needed into proposals

Requirements: 

Education:

At least a master’s degree.

Disciplines: Advanced Degree in Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate and Environmental Studies, International Affairs, Public Policy, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in DRR, climate, environment, energy, or related topics.
• Proven experience in communication and project management
• Familiarity with Climate, Energy, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) topics.
• Prior experience with a UN agency is a distinct advantage.

Competencies/Knowledge:

• Strong organisational, planning and prioritising skills and abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.