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.

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For every child, a Trustable hand

https://www.unicef.org/where-we-work

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Background and Purpose

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development builds upon the Millennium Development Goals, the Hyogo Framework for Action and global agreements like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015–2030 and the Paris Agreement, that inspire and necessitate stronger risk-informed programming and promoting environmentally sustainable development. The approach is increasingly integrated, recognizing the mutually reinforcing nature of economic, social, and environmental objectives in inclusive societies.

The UNICEF Uganda Country Programme of Cooperation 2023-2027 (CPC) with Government summarizes UNICEF’s contribution to national efforts in achieving the child-related goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to fulfilling obligations towards the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Country Programme Document (CPD) is based on national development priorities and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025 recognizes that climate change and environmental degradation are existential threats to a child’s ability to survive, grow, and thrive and that all levers of the organization need to work together in a coordinated fashion and activates all of UNICEF’s levers of impact on these issues.

It is estimated that 200,000 Ugandans are affected each year due to floods particularly for the country’s mountain regions, urban areas, low-lying areas, areas along riverbanks and swamplands.

Severe drought in Uganda has resulted in human and livestock deaths and impacted areas are also experiencing reduced water tables, diminished water levels in major lakes as well as crop failures. Extreme drought has been most prevalent in the Karamoja regions, which has resulted in frequent agricultural losses and significant food insecurity concerns. Increasing heat risks are expected to occur in areas with decreased water availability, with the likelihood to increase impacts of drought.

Uganda’s vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by high level of poverty and high dependence on ‘climate sensitive’ sectors: agriculture, water, fisheries, tourism, and forestry and a very low adaptation capacity. Additionally non-climate stressors such as inadequate infrastructure to handle the increasing population and refugees are also impacting the vulnerability to natural disaster sensitivity and climate change vulnerability. With an urbanization rate of 5.4%, increasing amounts of the population are living in urban areas, putting pressure on existing infrastructure as well as scarce available land.

Acknowledging the critical threat posed by climate change and environmental degradation to the well-being of children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has intensified its efforts to integrate climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and environmental sustainability across its operations. These issues permeate every aspect of UNICEF’s work, influencing programming, internal governance, risk management, and policy advocacy. Aligned with UNICEF’s climate strategy, the Uganda Country Office (UCO) is steadfast in its commitment to advocating for and addressing climate and environment related challenges.

Justification

In view of the above background, UNICEF Uganda Office has embarked upon developing a strategy and costed action plan that addresses risks to children from climate change, including natural disasters and environmental degradation and enhances adaptation capacity. Since this is a comparatively new focus area of work for UNICEF Uganda, as compared to normative work streams, a deliberated effort is required to develop a detailed action plan for the next five years to conform Uganda new Country Program Document (PCD) 2026-2030, while understanding the context of Uganda including priorities of governments and UNICEF at different levels and sectors. Although Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) has been done 2022 but it is also imperative to conduct a quick situational analysis for understanding the current internal and external environment for UNICEF to develop the five-year programme interventions for the next CPD , in consultation with all stakeholders, including an analysis of stakeholders’ capacities, policy environment, available resources and financing opportunities from public, private and development sectors. It is expected that this analysis can provide foundational guidance in developing the climate sensitive CPD interventions, in addition to UCO Climate Change, Environment and Disaster Reduction Strategy & Costed Action Plan.

This strategy and action plan is envisaged to be developed for all Uganda Country Office Programme, Cross Sectoral and Operations Sections so that a set of key tangible activities can be identified for delivering results by each team of UNICEF Uganda. It is envisaged that the WASH Manager will lead the development of UNICEF Uganda Climate, Environment and DRR strategy and action plan, with participation of other programme sections and in consultation with key stakeholders including government, development partners, other UN agencies, I/NGOs, private sector and with close cooperation and coordination with UNICEF ESARO teams.

Objective

• To conduct review of Government of Uganda’s Climate, Environment and DRR Policies, Strategies and Nationally Determined Commitments, National Adaptation Plan (and other relevant documents) and identify key areas for UNICEF support in the new country programme.
• Provide an overview of key stakeholder in the area of environment and climate change in Uganda, including potential donors to climate financing.
• Conduct review of UNICEF’s Global and Regional Climate change, Environment and DRR strategies and guidance documents and identify key focus areas relevant for Uganda’s context.
• Review and update the CLAC and Climate Change Investment Case 2022 by incorporating the latest developments and improve the draft UNICEF Uganda Strategy for Climate Change Environment, Adaptation and DRR and costed action plan with clear roles and responsibilities of different programme, cross sectoral and operations sections.

Under The Strategic Guidance Of The Deputy Representative (Programmes) And Chief Child Survival & Development And Technical/operational Guidance From The WASH Manager, The Consultant Will Work In Collaboration With The Country Management Team, To Undertake The Following Key Tasks

• Inception meetings with Deputy Representative (Programmes), Chief CSD, WASH Manager and, UNICEF CO Programme Section Heads, and UNICEF ESARO WASH Advisor and the regional Climate Change Focal Person, and others identified in inception meetings, for understanding the needs, expectations, collecting documents for review and preparation of inception report.
• Preparation and submission of inception report with defined tools, timelines, and methodology for conducting the assignments.
• Conduct Desk Review of key internal and external documents including CLAC and Climate Change Investment Case for informing UNICEF Uganda Climate, Environment and DRR strategy and action plan with special focus on the following aspects.
• Better document and pitch the impact of climate change on children and adolescents, to leaders/donors in climate spaces in a way that adds value.
• Expand partnerships, including with youth, women and girls, to mitigate the impact of climate change on children and adolescent.
• Connect more intentionally specialized climate networks with youth climate groups and adolescents/girls’ networks to strengthen the knowledge of the youth/girls and build synergies, adding to the meaningfulness of girls’ engagement.
• Facilitate semi structured KIIs and stakeholder meetings as agreed in approved inception report by UNICEF Uganda.
• Prepare and submit the final draft of Climate Change, Environment, and DRR strategy and action plan of UNICEF Uganda, including the Results and Resources Framework and the Costed Action Plan, in line with UNICEF guidelines, including comments from country office and the regional office.
• Finalize UNICEF Uganda Climate Change, Environment and DRR Strategy and Costed Action Plan and present to the UCO management and staff.

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

• Advanced degree in Development, Economics, Social Science, Climate Change, Environment, or another related field.
• At least ten years’ experience of working in CED sector, and three years of which should be in developing medium-term and long-term action plans for public, development or humanitarian sector organizations.
• Have up-to-date Knowledge of Climate Change and Environment related policies, programmes, government priorities and UNICEF commitments.
• Demonstrated experience in developing advocacy/policy briefs and infographics.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills. Proficiency in both written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Ability to work remotely and independently to deliver high-quality results within strict timelines.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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 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.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

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 are also 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.