United States of America: Consultancy, Analysis for UNICEF to strengthen engagement in climate change/ Social Inclusion, Policy and Budgeting

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 19 Sep 2013

Terms of ReferenceAnalysis for UNICEF to strengthen engagement in climate change

Duration: 120 working days between 16 October 2013 and 15 April 2014Duty Station: New York

1. Background:

The climate is changing and people across the globe already experience the impacts. Children are recognized as highly vulnerable and deserve our support to assure their rights in a changing climate. The on-going and foreseen impacts on children include e.g. reduced access to water for drinking and hygiene, increased malnutrition, increased incidence and spreading of diseases, lower school attendance and early drop outs, and, more extreme climate events resulting in death, injury and trauma amongst children. Although many governments and development partners have valuable on-going programmes to support communities to adapt to climate change, most of these do not address the specific needs of children.

Whilst adapting to climate change has become inevitable, the global community continues efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to minimize climate change and its impacts. Very deep emission cuts by developed countries will be essential, but developing countries will also have to rapidly embrace a low carbon development pathway and need financial and technical support with it. The global community needs to make sure that children will benefit from that. For example, many children still live without electricity in their homes, schools and medical centres; have no or little access to means of transportation; have to collect firewood which keeps them away from school whilst putting them frequently in harmful situations; and cooking and heating of their homes is often highly polluting affecting their health.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

UNICEF has been working on climate and environment related development challenges for many years, although often not labeled as such. This includes for example providing water security to drought prone communities, introducing school gardens, combating vector borne diseases, fuel efficient cooking stoves, solar powered vaccine fridges, biogas from latrines, and many more. The importance of environmental sustainability and climate change has been highlighted in a number of UNICEF planning processes and strategies as well as discussions around broader post-MDGs.

Realizing the increasing pressure of climate change on child rights, UNICEF is stepping up its support to children to assure climate change will not further infringe on their rights: The public and private investments made by the global community to address climate change adaptation and mitigation should support children attaining their rights, and the ongoing UNICEF policy and programming work in all relevant areas need effectively integrate climate change.

The consultant will be responsible for identifying opportunities for UNICEF to strengthen engagement with countries on climate change at the national and global level in terms of policy and programming, and leveraging climate finance. This is to be assessed though desk review and consultations. Field visits to two country offices are foreseen, requiring a maximum of 12 travel days in total.

The consultant will report to the Senior Policy Advisor Climate and Environment

1. Expected Results

Duties and responsibilities

A. Strengthening the engagement of UNICEF in climate change through policy and programming at the national level

The incumbent will assess potential entry points for UNICEF at the country level to strengthen engagement on climate change. The assessment will be based on:1) A desk review of the situation in six (to be selected) countries with regard to the national climate change policy discourse and UNICEF country programmes. 2) Missions to two of the selected countries for consultations with CO staff and counterparts from government and development partners. 3) Internal stakeholder (e) consultations with relevant staff from HQ, RCs and COs.
The assessment will be concluded with proposed corporate guidance on what UNICEF could do in general to strengthen engagement, how COs and programmes can identify the country specific opportunities, and what may be needed in terms of CO capacity development. This will be illustrated with examples from the six case studies.

The Incumbent will:• Develop an annotated outline for the report• Develop a methodology note which will include 1) Selection criteria for the six countries2) Overview of necessary information and documentation to be collected and analyzed3) Stakeholder list and consultation process4) Terms of Reference for country missions5) Approach for assessing CO capacity that would be required to strengthen engagement in climate change
• Shortlist potential countries to be included as case studies and propose these to the senior advisor for inclusion. • Summarize the national climate change policies, institutional framework, process and stakeholders in the selected countries.• Analyze national climate policy and relevant sectoral policy and institutional arrangements through the lens of child rights (SWOT analysis)• Analyze on-going UNICEF country programmes through the lens of climate change and identify risks, opportunities and added value of UNICEF increasing policy engagement with countries on climate change.• In the two countries that will be visited, undertake a rapid capacity assessment of the CO to engage in climate change• Assess the comparative advantage and added value of UNICEF vis-à-vis other development partners• Draft recommendations on UNICEF that can strengthen its engagement on climate change and (further) integrate climate change in existing programmes at the country level• Develop a practical guidance note for COs on how to assess specific needs and opportunities to engage in the climate change discourse and how to assess and develop the necessary in-house capacity to do so• Throughout the process, consult with relevant colleagues from HQ, RCs and COs.• Circulate and present the draft report for internal review • Consolidate comments and finalize the report including a 1-2 page executive summary and a powerpoint

Deliverables A:1) Annotated outline of the paper and methodology note: 31 October 20132) First draft of the paper 30 November 20133) Final paper 31 December 2013

B. Leveraging investments in climate change to advance child rights

The incumbent will review existing international Sources of Finance (SOF) for climate change through the lens of UNICEF its mandate to assess if/to what extend/how these funds take children into account. Sources to focus on include: 1) Vertical funds: the Global Environment Facility, the Least Developed Countries Fund, the Special Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund, the Green Climate Fund2) Three of UNICEF its key bilateral [development partners] [donors]3) Three of UNICEF its key private sector partners

The Incumbent will:• Develop an annotated outline for the report• Develop a methodology note which will include 1) selection criteria for bilateral and private SoF to be included, 2) analytical parameters for reviewing the selected SoF• In consultation with relevant divisions and UNICEF National Committees, propose bilateral and private SOF to be included in the study• Analyze the SoF through the lens of child rights and UNICEF’s strategic plan and programmes to answer the following (tentative) questions :o What are the climate change priority areas for the SOF?o Do these make specific reference to children, young people, and/or women? If yes, to what extent and how do these relate to UNICEF’s mandate and existing programmes in WASH, health, nutrition, education, child protection and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)? If no, are child rights relevant to the objectives of the SOFs and how could this be linked to UNICEF’s mandate and programmes?o What are the possible comparative advantages of UNICEF vis-à-vis other development partners working on child rights in the context of climate change?o What options does UNICEF have to leverage these funds to advance child rights in a changing climate? For example, should UNICEF advocate to the SOFs to make specific reference to children in their guidelines and reporting requirements? Should UNICEF increase its engagement in the global policy discourse on climate finance? Should UNICEF pursue access to some of these SOFs?o How can the proposed options be implemented and what would be required to do so?• Throughout the process, consult relevant divisions and relevant staff from regional centers to assure correctness
• Circulate and present the draft report for internal review• Consolidate comments and finalize the report including a 1-2 page executive summary and a powerpoint

Deliverables B:1) Annotated outline of the paper and methodology note: 31 December 20132) First draft of the paper 31 January 20143) Final paper 28 February 2014

C. Formulating concept notes for interventions

Based on the findings of assignment A and B, it is foreseen that there will be needs and opportunities for concrete interventions on leveraging climate finance for child rights, policy and programmes. In close cooperation with the senior advisor, the incumbent will identify these and will support the senior advisor with concept note formulation through the provision of research support.

The incumbent will:• Develop selection criteria for potential interventions• Prepare a list of potential interventions based on the findings of assignment A and B and score these according to the selection criteria• Formulate concept outlines and information needs for a maximum three selected interventions• Support the Senior Advisor with concept note formulation by compiling and analyzing necessary data and information• Write Terms of References / workplans including necessary resources to develop the concept notes into detailed full project proposals

Deliverables C:1) Proposed list with proposed interventions and justification 28 February 20142) Overview of data collected analyzed 31 March 20143) Terms of References for agreed concept notes 15 April 2014

1. Start date: 16 October 2013 End date: 15 April 2014

2. Timeframe:

Deliverables Duration(Estimated # of days) DeadlineComponents
A. Strengthening the engagement of UNICEF in climate change through policy and programming at the national level
B. Leveraging investments in climate change to advance child rights
C. Formulating concept notes for interventions

Deliverables
A.1: Annotated outline of the paper and methodology note 10 31 Oct 2013

A.2: First draft of the paper 20 30 Nov 2013B.1: Annotated outline of the paper and methodology note 5 31 Dec 2013A.3: Final paper 15 31 Dec 2013B.2: First draft of the paper 20 31 Jan 2014B.3:Final paper 5 28 Feb 2014C.1: Proposed list with proposed interventions and justification 14 28 Feb 2014C.2: Overview of data collected analysed 21 31 Mar 2014C.3: Terms of References for agreed concept notes 10 15 Apr 2014TOTAL 120 15 April

1. Key competences, technical background, and experience required:

Qualifications of Successful Candidate• Advanced university degree in relevant area such as environment, social and economic development, and international cooperation.• A minimum of eight years of relevant work experience focused on developing countries, in areas related to development cooperation in climate change, development cooperation, environment and socio-economic development. • Specific expertise in programme/project formulation, review and evaluation related in the field of climate change and/or environment is required • Specific expertise in climate finance is required • Familiarity with Children's Rights and gender in the context of climate change and/or environmental resources management• Cross-disciplinary perspective on and in-depth and current knowledge of national and international policy and institutional arrangements governing climate change, sustainable development and the MDGs. • Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills an asset.• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious & effective working relationship both within and outside an organization.• Familiarity with UNICEF or UN mission, programme policies and goals an asset.• Familiarity with the national climate change policy discourse in countries from multiple regions (especially Africa, Asia and the Pacific) is an asset.• Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French is an asset).

Competencies of Successful Candidate• Analyses and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.• Writes high quality documents that are clear, convincing and applicable.• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.• Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government counterparts and non-government stakeholders.• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.• Contributes and tries out innovative approaches and insights.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal StatusThe individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

2. ObligationsThe Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

1. Title rightsUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

2. TravelIf UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
   (b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

3. Statement of good healthBefore commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

4. InsuranceThe Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

5. Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

6. Arbitration(c) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
   (d) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

7. Penalties for UnderperformancePayment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.

8. Termination of ContractThis contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

9. TaxationUNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Analysis for UNICEF to strengthen engagement in climate change/ Social Inclusion, Policy and Budgeting” by 19 September 2013, 5:00pm EST. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.Joint applications of two or more individuals is not accepted.