Climate and Environment Assistant

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families. UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities. UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities. UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Context

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential. In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities, and be the drivers of their own destiny. UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play, and grow. For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education, and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disasters, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive. This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the implementation of the foundational and mainstreaming elements of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan of the UNICFE Sri Lanka and other relevant (WASH & Climate Change) projects in coordinating with relevant line ministries (Ministries of Water Supply, Health, Education and Environment), climate actors and the UNICEF regional office in South Asia.

Task Description

1. Assist in coordinating, communicating and supporting logistic arrangements of programme activities and initiatives, especially meetings, workshops and training. 2. Support in taking minutes and preparing reports relevant to meetings/workshops/field visits. 3. Assist in coordinating with partners to monitor the progress of implementation of activities of the annual work plan and budget spending and organize relevant progress review meetings coordinating with relevant government agencies. 4. Support to follow up with relevant sections (Education, Communications, H&N, SBC, DRR, Social Policy and Child Protection) on the implementation of joint work plans/programmes and organize relevant meetings. 5. Coordinate with HR, IT, Admin and Supply sections for relevant supplies and logistics by providing necessary data and information with relevant to supplies, HR support, workshops, trainings, and transport arrangements. 6. Coordinate with all relevant sections on timely input, communications, updating reports following up on budget-related information and preparing reports as necessary. 7. Act as a focal point for administrative coordination of WASH and Climate Change programme/project implementation, engaging with all relevant programme sections to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, prepare documentation as necessary, etc. 8. Participate in meetings and workshops; assist in coordinating implementation activities with relevant government partners, UN agencies, local authorities, local partners, non-governmental organizations, donors, and other stakeholders relevant to the project.

Competencies and values

Professionalism Confidentially Teamwork and respect for diversity Excellent interpersonal skills Commitment to continuous learning Planning and organizing Communication Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values. Accountability Adaptability and flexibility Creativity Judgement and decision-making Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

Colombo is located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. The climate is temperate all throughout the year, but the humidity is usually high. From March to April, the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfall occurs. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. 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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.