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, clean water

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Mozambique and UNICEF (CPD) for 2022-2026 aims to support Mozambique to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. It derives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022–2026 and aligns with the Government Five-Year Plan 2020–2024, the National Development Strategy 2015–2035 and relevant sector policies and programmes.

For more information about UNICEF Mozambique’s work please follow this link.

You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies via the UNICEF Mozambique website link herein.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF has built low-carbon, resilience building directly into its programmes through climate-smart health, education and WASH systems and a greater need to invest in resilient and sustainable systems across its public sector delivery for children. UNICEF continues to advocate for and support countries vulnerable to climate change develop, strengthen and implements child sensitive sector plans which integrate climate resilient risk management, mitigation and adaptation planning approaches.  This work not only ensures that polices and plans are child sensitive, but also incorporate the voices of children and youth themselves. In addition to this, UNICEF also continues to ensure through its work that communities vulnerable to climate change are reached through the development and implementation of climate action targeted at resilience and adaptation activities for the benefit of children.

UNICEF Mozambique seeks a Climate, Energy and Environment Program Specialist role that will allow UNICEF Mozambique to scale up its activities and support the strengthening of low-carbon resilience building and development, including the use of low-carbon renewable energy in its operations and programming. The Climate, Energy and Environment (CEE) Program Specialist will report to the WASH Chief for UNICEF Mozambique, the Deputy Representative for Programmes, all section chiefs and work closely with RO section climate, energy and environment counterparts. The CEE Program Specialist will be located in Maputo, Mozambique. He or she will provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to develop and facilitate the administration and achievement of climate and environmentally sensitive output results in the country programme. In addition, the CEE Program Specialist will be required to strengthen climate responses programme delivery, monitoring and document lessons learning.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development, planning, coordination, integration, and technical and operational support to sections
2. Coordination and management of the Climate and Environment unit
3. Advocacy, evidence generation, policy, and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children
4. External partnerships, resource mobilization and linkages to regional and global efforts
5. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in environmental sciences, climatology, geology or earth sciences, climate change, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, engineering, social and economic development, social and economic development, international cooperation or another relevant technical field is required. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement / supplement the main degree are desirable.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in programme/project development, focused on developing countries in areas related to development cooperation in climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and socio-economic development.
• Experience on renewable energy is an asset.
• Familiar with children’s rights and gender in the context of climate change and environment. Knowledge of gender equality principles and gender sensitive programming.
• Demonstrated experience in applying results-based management required. 
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills required.
• Experience in development and/ or humanitarian settings is an asset.
• Meet UNICEF’s core values and competency areas.
• Language Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Portuguese or a Latin Language is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in the following:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drive to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF 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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male/female candidates from programme/industrial countries are encouraged to apply are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.