National Consultancy - Climate Action Youth Engagement Consultant, Colombo, 8 months (home base)

The purpose of the Consultancy is to facilitate the coordination between the UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Office and the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) to accomplish two key tasks: 1. Support the creation of a ToT strategy and coordinate the organization of a Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshop on climate change for identified youths through the youth clubs by the NYSC. 2. Contribute to build a coalition of all youth groups active on climate change in Sri Lanka to bring them together to identify and agree on a Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Strategy. The consultant will act as the main coordinator between UNICEF, NYSC, relevant government counterparts (for example, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Secretariat, Disaster Management Centre, Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Ministry of Health etc), and other relevant non-government partners, including CSOs who are working with youth or implementing youth programmes, to develop the ToT content, schedule, tools and guidelines. He/She will facilitate the conducting of the training through identification of relevant resource persons, ensuring their participation and contribution to the training. In addition, the consultant will closely monitor and collaborate with all youth clubs, organizations who are working on climate change in Sri Lanka on social media and other platforms to bring them together to agree upon one youth strategy on climate change and their contribution to the national climate change policies, strategies and plans which can then be presented to the Government and at the COP29

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, Results 

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. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

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 disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose:

The purpose is to facilitate the coordination between the UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Office and the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) to accomplish two key tasks:

1.       Support the creation of a ToT strategy and coordinate the organization of a   Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshop on climate change for identified youths through the youth clubs by the NYSC.

2.       Contribute to build a coalition of all youth groups active on climate change in Sri Lanka to bring them together to identify and agree on a Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Strategy.

The consultant will act as the main coordinator between UNICEF, NYSC, relevant government counterparts (for example, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Secretariat, Disaster Management Centre, Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Ministry of Health etc), and other relevant non-government partners, including CSOs who are working with youth or implementing youth programmes, to develop the ToT content, schedule, tools and guidelines. He/She will facilitate the conducting of the training through identification of relevant resource persons, ensuring their participation and contribution to the training. In addition, the consultant will closely monitor and collaborate with all youth clubs, organizations who are working on climate change in Sri Lanka on social media and other platforms to bring them together to agree upon one youth strategy on climate change and their contribution to the national climate change policies, strategies and plans which can then be presented to the Government and at the COP29

Description of assignment:

1. Key Assignments/Tasks:  

1. Coordinate to design the Training of Trainers (ToTs) strategy on climate change and organize ToT workshops to identified youths through the youth clubs by the NYSC.
   1. Work closely with the UNICEF Programme Officers on Child Protection, Education, Social Policy, Health and Nutrition, Climate Change, WASH, Social Behaviour Change (SBC) and focal points for Gender, Disability, Communication and Private Sector engagement, and the NYSC to identify key areas for youth awareness creation.
   2. Develop training objectives,and schedule for the ToTs and to identify the relevant resource persons to deliver the sessions.
   3. Together with the identified resource persons and selected youth from the target audience, develop the training curricular (all 3 languages) and the facilitator guide to roll out the ToTs; and subsequent trainings conducted by the master trainers targeting the youth club members.
   4. Organize the ToTs in 2 phases with agreed timelines with the NYSC, UNICEF and the resource persons. In total, 4 ToTs should be organized – 2 in each Sinhala and Tamil languages.
   5. Lead the facilitation of the ToTs in coordination with the UNICEF, NYSC and other technical resource persons.
   6. Develop pre and post training evaluation forms and conduct evaluation of the training.
   7. Based on the evaluation forms, develop a training report at the end of the ToTs.
2. Contribute to build a coalition of all youth groups active on climate change in Sri Lanka to bring them together to identify and agree on a Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Strategy.
   1. Map out the existing active child and youth organizations in Sri Lanka on climate change and environment conservation via an online mapping tool.
   2. Organize brainstorming sessions with the identified child & youth organizations to understand their challenges and opportunities and agree upon developing a coalition with NYSC to act as the main coordinating body for youth organizations on climate change.
   3. Organize and facilitate workshops to map out the strategies and activities that are currently implemented by the child & youth organizations as their contribution to climate change adaptation.
   4.  Organize and facilitate workshops to identify key strategies youth would propose as their contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions, National Youth Policy on Climate Change 2023 and relevant plans, policies, and strategies (development of National Child & Youth Strategy/Plan on Climate Change).
   5. Finalize the National Child & Youth Climate Action Strategy with review and verification as relevant.
   6. Organize a symposium to launch the National Child & Youth Climate Action Strategy and share experience and work of the youth organizations on climate change to policy makers (with a marketplace/exhibition).

1. Deliverables:  

Training of Trainers on climate change

1. ToT content, methodology, tools and schedules finalized and agreed by all parties.
2. Training curricula developed and finalized, incorporating feedback from the youth.
3. A facilitator guideline on delivering the ToT and the subsequent youth club-level trainings finalized.
4. Pre and post training evaluation forms developed, distributed, data analyzed and reported.
5. Final training report

Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Strategy

1. A database of existing and active youth organizations working on climate change is available.
2. Workshop reports and meeting minutes with the youth organizations completed on time and shared.
3. Mapping of strategies and activities that are currently implemented by child and youth organizations as their contribution for climate change adaptation is done.
4. Sri Lanka Child & Youth Climate Action Strategy developed and finalized with relevant reviews.
5. Symposium report available.

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

Master’s degree :  Environment science, Climate Change, International Relations, Humanitarian and Development Studies, Social Science, International Development, Political Science, or another relevant field

Years of experience:

Min of 5 years of Experience

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Knowledge of current theories and practice of climate change, environment conservation.
• Proven ability to develop, lead, and effectively manage relationships with partners and senior UNICEF staff.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategies, plans and guidance related to conducting training.
• Ability to develop and present proposals and presentations on climate change.
• Proven project management, communication and reporting skills.
• Proven experience in coordination with multiple partners.
• Proven ability in training methodology and content development; and training facilitation related to environmental conservation, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset. 

Duration of the consultancy: 8 months

Duty station – Colombo (Home based)

Start date - June 2024

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate (in LKR) to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable) 

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered  

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

  UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

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