National Programme Officer (Environmental Education and Climate change), NOA, Temporary Appointment, 729 days

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, education

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

UNICEF in North Macedonia is seeking a self-motivated and enthusiastic team player, and an experienced professional in support of its new initiative – ‘Empowering children and young people to be agents of change in reducing community vulnerability to climate change’.

Climate change and environmental degradation undermine children’s rights across the world. Children are more susceptible to adverse environmental conditions and are more sensitive to the harmful effects on their lives now and in the future. UNICEF strives not only to guarantee children’s rights, but to empower children and young people to make a change for their communities and their own futures.

The new three year partnership with Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) (hereinafter Project) aims to deliver innovative and inspiring programmes in formal and informal education, social entrepreneurship and communication – programmes that will magnify the breadth and depth of knowledge around climate change, and support children and young people to be agents of change, giving them tools and skills to actively participate in creating a better world for all.

Under the guidance of the Education Specialist, provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of programme goals and objectives.

Working in the Education Unit under the supervision of the Education Specialist, Programme officer will specifically execute tasks and provide support across all activities of the Project. In addition, the Programme Officer’s duties will form part of actions aligned with wider education priorities

How can you make a difference?

The specific objectives of the Project are:

1. Establish foundations for relevant and consistent environmental education
2. Provide children, young boys and girls, with contemporary knowledge and skills, and empower them to actively contribute and enhance the community’s response to environmental impact and climate change

Key end-results expected:

1. Analysis of the relevance and coherence of environmental education across curricula and teaching practices in the education system is conducted;
2. Guiding documents and policies incorporate contemporary and scientifically proven approaches to education about environmental impact and climate change;
3. Professional development and peer learning on environmental education within professional learning communities is fostered;
4. Public demand for environmentally responsible education as well as attitudes conducive to environmental protection and climate change mitigation is creased through communication for development;
5. Play-based activities and games that stimulate early learning through experience and acquisition of complex concepts about the environment and climate change are developed;
6. Venues and programmes for experiential learning by establishing science hubs and laboratories are created;
7. Opportunities for social innovation and entrepreneurship to young people looking for solutions to combat climate change and protect the environment in their community are provided

SPECIFIC TASKS:

1. Support the Education Specialist and in partnership with external stakeholders map the education policies and regulatory frameworks, institutions, programmatic activities and partnerships relevant to child rights realization from the perspective of environment and climate.
2. Identify actions and best practices for environmental education globally and locally and ensure necessary technical assistance and capacity development to Bureau for Development of Education for their consideration in the development of the new curricula
3. Support the Education Specialist in identifying partners for strategic engagement and policy advocacy regarding environmental education and climate change. Support the establishment of close collaboration with national and local authorities, NGOs, schools other partners and children themselves to keep abreast with climate-related initiatives and efforts in formal and non-formal education.
4. In close collaboration with staff from Education and Communication sections, support the development of opportunities in and outside schools that empower children as agents of change with an active role in addressing climate-related risks by exercising their views, opinions and concerns, identifying and working on solutions, and promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles
5. Support the Education Specialist in building effective programmatic partnerships with other stakeholders active in environmental education and climate change for programmatic coordination, lessons learned and good practices;
6. Participate in relevant United Nations and development partners’ climate change working groups to ensure linkages/ knowledge exchange with regional and global stakeholders.
7. Support Education specialist in the preparation and the follow up monitoring of the Project cooperation agreement, direct cash transfers and other financial, administrative and supply documentation;
8. Ensure the progress reporting of UNICEF and coordinate reporting of project partners

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, environmental protection or another relevant technical field. Advanced degree in environment, climate science is considered as an asset.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in environmental education and climate change is required.
• Good level of computer literacy systems and applications, Microsoft package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Fluency in Macedonian and English required; knowledge of other local languages is desirable. 
• Prior experience working with the UN system and/or international development agencies is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.