Technical Expert for Child-Centered Early Warning Systems

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Position Title: Technical Expert for Child-Centered Early Warning Systems
Location: Kathmandu
Country: Nepal
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children, saving lives, defending rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. UNICEF employs thousands of staff members globally, focusing on child rights and welfare, and aims to build a better world for every child, every day.

Job Overview:
The position involves providing technical support to design, implement, and operationalize child-centered Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Nepal and the Maldives. The role is crucial in enhancing the resilience of children against climate change impacts by conducting child-centered risk assessments, integrating the Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI) into Disaster Risk Management (DRM) frameworks, and developing climate-change-calibrated scenarios for targeted interventions. The consultant will work closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the EWS are tailored to the specific vulnerabilities and needs of children, ultimately benefiting approximately 50,000 children directly and 800,000 indirectly. The consultant will also be responsible for capacity building, training government officials and community leaders, and developing investment cases for child-responsive disaster prevention strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct child-centered risk assessments using the CCRI and DRM frameworks to identify key climate vulnerabilities faced by children.
• Develop and integrate child-friendly EWS tailored to local contexts, ensuring accessibility and understandability for children and youth.
• Update and revise contingency plans to address the specific needs of children, ensuring alignment with the EW4ALL initiative.
• Provide technical support to country office teams on implementing targeted interventions in child-friendly EWS and DRR.
• Train government officials, community leaders, and youth on the application of CCRI-DRM and EWS tools.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange among key stakeholders on child-sensitive disaster risk reduction.
• Develop an investment case for child-responsive disaster prevention strategies and support advocacy and fundraising efforts.
• Deliver comprehensive reports and documentation on risk assessments, EWS, contingency plans, training modules, and policy briefs.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Climate Science, Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Engineering, or related fields.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in designing and implementing Early Warning Systems.
• Expertise in child-centered disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation solutions.
• Proficiency in using data visualization tools and DRM frameworks like CCRI.
• Strong facilitation and capacity-building skills.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s SCAP objectives and a commitment to child-sensitive approaches.
• Previous experience working in the South Asia region is an asset.
• Experience in developing strong business cases and concept notes for fundraising and strategies to strengthen partnerships.
• Familiarity with the principles and values of the United Nations, particularly in sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in relevant fields such as Climate Science, Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Engineering, or similar disciplines. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of climate change and its impacts on children, as well as to effectively design and implement EWS.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing Early Warning Systems. Candidates should have a proven track record in child-centered disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation solutions, demonstrating their ability to address the unique vulnerabilities faced by children in the context of climate change.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong writing skills required. Knowledge of other languages relevant to the South Asian region is considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate better communication and understanding with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role with a total of 60 days of work expected. The consultant will be required to deliver various reports and outputs by specified deadlines, including an inception report, risk assessment reports, operational EWS, updated contingency plans, training modules, policy briefs, and a final report summarizing achievements and recommendations. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages all candidates to apply, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and is dedicated to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.