Organization: UN Children"s Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 02 Jul 2015
Background:
There has been increasing recognition over the last years that sustainable development cannot occur without attention to environmental and social sustainability. The UN system agreed in 2012 to the Framework for environmental and sustainability of the UN System which asked UN agencies to strengthen the UN system’s sustainability performance by:
· Strengthening environmental and social sustainability in all activities i.e. policies/strategies, programmes/projects, and facilities/operations management.
· Going beyond typical safeguard of “do no harm” to identify ways to “do good”
In addition, many global funds such as the Global environment facility, the Adaptation Fund and most recently the Green Climate Fund, but also bilateral funds are requiring Environmental and Social Safeguards or Standards in order to accredit entities to receive funds.
As a result of the above, many UN agencies have developed Environmental and Social Safeguards/Standards in the last several years and many multilateral development banks have updated their traditional safeguards to ensure they encompass the most relevant environmental and social issues
UNICEF has committed itself to developing appropriate Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) in order to strengthen the quality and sustainability of its programming, and to be in line with both the UN Sustainability Framework as well as the requirements of funds and donors. It will be important for UNICEF to take into account the experiences of other UN agencies in developing ESS in order to benefit from lessons learned and best practices.
Purpose
The purpose of the consultancy is to support the development of an Environmental and Social Standards Policy and corresponding Environmental and Social Standards Screening Procedure.
Tasks and Deliverables
· Review of existing ESS of other agencies and identify the most relevant environmental and social standards applicable to UNICEF’s work
· Draft the comprehensive policy on Environmental and social standards
· Develop the screening procedures, tools and guidance notes for implementation of environmental and social standards.
· Throughout the process, consult and engage with relevant UNICEF divisions and field offices.
· Regularly present progress made to and seek guidance from the interdivisional technical working group on ESS.
Duty Station:UNICEF, New York Headquarters
Timeframe:80 working days
Start Date:1 August 2015 End Date:31 January 2016
(**Dates will be adjusted to reflect the actual starting date of the consultancy)**
Key Competencies, Technical Background, and Experience Required
· Advanced university degree in field related to international development, with specific academic background related to social and environmental sustainability.
• A minimum of 10 years’ Senior-level experience related to social and environmental sustainability and impact assessment in an international development/UN context.
• Technical expertise in environmental and social safeguards, including environmental and social impact assessment, human rights, gender and indigenous peoples is required
• 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.
• Prior UNICEF/UN experience and familiarity with UNICEF programme, policies and goals preferred.
• Fluency in English required.
· 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.
· Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
· Experience working under minimum supervision and tight deadlines.
*Please see deliverables in attached chart.
How to apply:
How to Apply:
Applicants are requested to send their submissions to <**pdconsultants@unicef.org**> with subject line: “Environmental and Social Standards Expert, Division for Data, Research and Policy – Consultancy” by 02 July 2015, 5:00pm EST.
Applications must include:
· Cover letter,
· CV, and
· P-11 form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc )
· Indicate where you heard about this advertisement
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
NOTE: Files should not exceed 5.0MB limit
UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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