Climate Change Associate

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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.

Côte d’Ivoire faces multiple challenges in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, varying rainfall patterns, coastal erosion, water resource pollution and rapid urbanization affect sustainable access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation services. It is therefore imperative to revise WASH programming strategies to consider the risks associated with climate change and water scarcity to ensure resilient and sustainable WASH services. In this context, UNICEF is working with all relevant stakeholders in Côte d’Ivoire to strengthen the “WASH sector resilience to climate change”, by launching an evidence-based multi-sectoral process that would result in the prioritization of WASH solutions that are resilient to climate change and water scarcity, including adaptation options. To support this ongoing process and implement the recommendations, the recruitment of a young United Nations International Volunteer (UNV) Associate is required. The interventions in which the volunteer will participate are part of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and UNICEF cooperation programme. Thus, the volunteer will collaborate with the implementing partners of the country programme of cooperation both at the national and decentralized levels. The country programme of cooperation between the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and UNICEF is composed of the following programme components: (i) Health-HIV and Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, (ii) Nutrition, (iii) Education, (iv) Child Protection; (v) Social Policies and Adolescents and Youth and (vi) Programme Effectiveness. The team counts several multisectoral units such as Planning, Monitoring, Data and Research, External Communication, Social Behavior Change, and Emergency Coordination and Resilience, as well as two Field Offices with multi-sectoral expertise. The ongoing cycle of cooperation 2026-230 is marked by a major “programmatic shift” including the integration of climate change into programming, which is a new and transversal area for the entire office.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief WASH, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Contribute to the formulation of proposals for the mobilization of green climate funds - Contribute to the development of periodic reports on the relevance of WASH climate resilient solutions - Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH and climate change, to support programme implementation. - Support the monitoring of WASH outputs indictors and related projects - Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administra-tive and other assets), - Contribute to the implementation of My Green School concept - Participate in the meetings of the Technical Working Group “Resilience of the WASH sector to climate change. During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. This plan will include regular meetings with the supervisor to review progress and receive feedback on performance against agreed objectives. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually endorsed by both the UN Volunteer and the supervisor.