Organization Mission

UNICEF works in the world”s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere.

Context

Since 1964, child rights have been at the heart of the strong partnership between the Government of Malaysia and UNICEF. UNICEF’s work in Malaysia is driven by the ultimate aim of ensuring that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has a fair, equitable start in life. This means that all girls and boys – regardless of location, family income or disability – ought to enjoy equal access to quality services and an equal chance of developing to their full potential.

An upper-middle-income and culturally diverse country, Malaysia is home to 32.7 million people of which 9.2 million are children. The country has witnessed tremendous progress over the years in poverty reduction, access to primary health care, education, and advances in Child Rights and wellbeing, social and cultural norms. However, gaps in the legal, regulatory and policy framework, comparatively low levels of public expenditure on social protection and social services, and limited capacity in the public sector to meet the demands of the equity agenda, constrain women and child rights. Further advances in education, health and nutrition, and social protection outcomes are needed if Malaysia is to achieve advanced nation status.

UNICEF Malaysia is a unique country office in that it is an upper middle-income country, but with significant remaining disparities and inequalities where both advocacy and programming approaches are required. UNICEF adds value by influencing the development narrative of the country through quality evidence generation, evidence-based advocacy and policy recommendations, supported by partnerships and alliances with civil society, academia, and think tanks. UNICEF Malaysia also has a highly developed Private Sector Fundraising Team (PSFR) which raises significant resources for children in innovative ways. In this context, the role of multi-faceted evidence-based communications and policy advocacy and partnership building play critical roles in advancing child rights.

Adopting a human rights-based approach, the UNICEF country programme in Malaysia has been designed in partnership with the Government of Malaysia and is aligned with the Shared Prosperity Vision for 2030 and the 12th Malaysia Plan. The programme responds directly to UNICEF’s and the UN’s global priorities, Agenda 2030, the Leaving No One Behind and Build Back Better agendas and forms an integral part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Malaysia 2021-2025.

Key Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Programme Specialist (Climate and Environment) and the guidance of Programme Officer (Climate and Environment) and working collaboratively with colleagues from other sections, the UNV Climate and Disaster Data Coordinator will provide direct support in the following areas.

1. Data management (40%)
• Support the development, implementation and testing of the first version of Malaysia’s subnational Children’s Climate and Disaster Risk Index (CCDRI) model in close collaboration with government partners, academia and youth networks and the technical partner, UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
• Collect, clean, organize and manage data for climate, environmental and disaster hazards and child-vulnerability datasets using excel and basic programming tools
• Support geospatial risk analysis and mapping using GIS tools where applicable
• Assist in developing dashboards, charts and visualizations to communicate key findings for internal and external partners
• Coordinate with technical data partners (government agencies, universities) to collect, verify and update datasets
• Maintain an organized data repository and ensure data quality and consistency

2. Evidence Generation (30%)
• Support the development of the CCDRI analytical report in close consultation with partners, highlighting key analysis and recommendations, ensuring user-friendliness of the document
• Draft research notes, evidence summaries, and data briefs that translate data findings into clear messages for advocacy and programming
• Provide data-driven inputs for policy briefs, presentations, and technical reports
• Review and document insights from partner datasets to identify data gaps and opportunities to strengthen national climate and DRR evidence for children
• Support the development of evidence packages—slide decks, fact sheets, technical notes—for use with government, state agencies, and UNICEF programme teams

3. Programme Support (30%)
• Support planning, coordination and implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programmes, CCDRI development and dissemination including launch of the risk model, and other climate & environment programmes
• Liaise with government partners to organise meetings, collect programme data, and follow up on action points
• Assist in preparing presentations, talking points, and programme updates for meetings with government, CSOs, academia, and youth networks
• Contribute to planning and execution of training sessions, workshops, school visits, and field missions
• Support coordination of knowledge management and produce appropriate documentation and reporting while ensuring the quality, standardisation and consistency. Maintain CCDRI SharePoint page as a one-stop center for information sharing and record.
• Assist the team in planning, designing and coordinating of inception and validation workshops with government and data providers for the CCDRI development

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take an active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected outputs:

As an active UNICEF Malaysia – Climate and Environment team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client–friendly and high–quality support rendered to the team and its beneficiaries in the performance of her/her functions, including:

• Strategic growth and involvement of our digital and traditional media audience.
• Lessons learned and best practices are shared.
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Required Skills and Experience

• A diploma or bachelor’s degree in environmental science/management, engineering, public policy, public administration, economics, political/social science, sustainable development, disaster management, international relations, or related field will be an advantage;
• Must be between 18 and 26 years old;
• Excellent organizational, communication and coordination skills;
• Excellent oral and written skills, particularly excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, culturally and socially sensitive, able to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; experience working in cross-cultural environments is an asset;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with website publishing and maintenance, as well as presentation and graphic design software (Adobe InDesign, Canva) and GIS application is an asset;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
• Required Experience: 1 month -3 years (Entry level)

Core Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

The position will be based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, where basic living needs, including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities, and telecommunications/internet services are readily available. All staple foods can be found in the markets, e.g.: rice, meat, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil, salt, etc. Many imported goods are available in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur has many good restaurants with good health standards, and most guesthouses provide food. In Kuala Lumpur, the most used means of transportation are a car, motorcycle, taxi or local bus. A mobile phone is the most dependable tool to be in touch with colleagues and friends. Internet service is readily available and affordable at most apartment complexes. ATMs are everywhere in Kuala Lumpur.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging her/his housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Supervision, induction, and duty of care of UN Volunteers

UN Volunteers should be provided the equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
• Introductory briefings about the organization and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear work plan and performance appraisal;
• Access to office space at UNICEF Kuala Lumpur, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations;
• Leave management;
• DSA for official travel, when applicable;
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.