Mission and objectivesFor over 70 years, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has been the worldโs leading child-rights organization and a respected partner of choice for saving and improving childrenโs lives in 190 countries and territories. UNICEFโs work in Bhutan started in 1974 with support to the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation programme. Over time, our work has expanded to improve the lives of children, youth, and women in other key programmatic areas. Together with all our partners, we work to ensure that all children have access to education, health care, sanitation, clean water, protection, and other services necessary for their survival, growth, and development. We support service delivery and have a strong field presence. We also engage in policy work. Covering all the 20 dzongkhags, UNICEF works with the people at the grassroots level through which information collected on the ground is bought as knowledge for policy discussions. Currently, UNICEF Bhutan works on key programme areas with a strong focus on equity and inclusion. These include health, nutrition, and sanitation; quality education and early childhood development; child protection and adolescent participation; social policy; emergency; planning, monitoring and evaluation, and communication for development. Bhutan is a small, land-locked, and mountainous country of about 750,000 people, bordering India and China. Bhutan has a very young population: more than half of Bhutanese are below 25 years of age. Bhutanโs development process is guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), a holistic approach emphasizing sustainability and human well-being. Despite the countryโs rugged terrain and limited resources, Bhutan is progressing with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
ContextUNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save childrenโs lives, protect their rights, and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Promoting the rights of every child is more than a job โ it is a calling. UNICEF provides its staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development supporting fulfilling careers while advancing a meaningful mission. A supportive organizational culture and a competitive compensation and benefits package contribute to staff well-being and success. To learn more, visit our website UNICEF, for every child: https://www.unicef.org/ UNICEF Bhutan is a small to medium-sized Country Office (CO), supporting the Royal Government of Bhutan in advancing the well-being of children, particularly in health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection, social protection, adolescent development, and participation. Being a mountainous and landlocked country, Bhutan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its unique geographical and environmental characteristics. The country faces floods and landslides from glacier melt, forest fires, and flash floods during increasingly erratic monsoons. Climate change significantly affects Bhutan's agricultural sector, the primary livelihood for about 80 percent of the population. Despite these challenges, Bhutan has taken proactive steps. The countryโs constitution mandates environmental protection, with specific articles preserving natural resources and biodiversity. Parliament has enacted environmental laws emphasizing forest cover and sustainability. Bhutan also established a standing committee to review and recommend legislation. The government promotes green practices, emission reduction, and sustainability. Bhutanโs commitment is reflected in its national policies, participation in international frameworks like the UNFCCC, and efforts to increase carbon sequestration. In alignment with our commitment to protect children and young people worldwide, UNICEF has launched its Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) 2023โ2030. SCAP prioritizes urgent climate action through systemic change in partnership with the public and private sectors to center the needs of children and young people and build their resilience to climate crises. It aims to mainstream sustainability and climate action both internally and externally by protecting the lives, health, and well-being of children and their communities; empowering children with opportunities and skills; and reducing UNICEFโs environmental footprint. Climate action is a priority across UNICEF. With partners, UNICEF is working to make essential social servicesโsuch as water, healthcare, education, protection, and nutritionโmore climate-resilient. We support institutions and communities with mitigation and adaptation strategies and address loss and damage. UNICEF helps children and young people gain knowledge and skills to lead a more sustainable world. Internally, we assess operations, supply chains, and resource useโsuch as energy, water, and wasteโto reduce emissions. UNICEF Bhutan, in collaboration with the government, has prioritized climate action in the new UNICEF CPD 2024โ28. To accelerate the implementation of child-sensitive climate initiatives, we are seeking a climate expert to support the Bhutan country office.
Task DescriptionUnder the Direct Supervision of the Deputy Representative and in coordination with Climate Focal Point, the Climate Specialist will undertake activities in the following areas: 1) Technical Support: โข Provide strategic and technical support in the planning and delivery of climate, energy, and environment interventions aligned with UNICEF Bhutanโs Country Programme, and 2025 climate action work plan, liaising closely with all programme sections, climate focal person, and regional office. โข Deliver technical and operational support to ensure the integration of social sectors and the meaningful inclusion of childrenโs voices in the (Nationally Determined Contribution) NDC 3.0. 2) Coordination: โข Support coordination of climate initiatives as given in the UNICEF Climate Workplan 2025. Work closely with the DECC and other partners and internal stakeholders, to support the achievement of results 3) Resource mobilization: โข Support the development and coordination of climate-focused proposals and innovative financing initiatives, ensuring alignment with UNICEF Country Programme, and national development priorities. โข Contribute to resource mobilization by preparing high-quality donor proposals and supporting fundraising efforts aimed at advancing climate change mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and resilience outcomes. 4) Innovation, Capacity Development, and Knowledge Management: โข Support capacity-building initiatives for UNICEF staff and partners by organizing training on climate change, using structured approaches. โข Support knowledge generation and management by overseeing the implementation and monitoring of climate-related research and innovation initiatives, ensuring systematic documentation, dissemination of results, and the development of knowledge products that capture innovative practices and lessons learned to inform evidence-based programming and policy dialogue.
Competencies and valuesโข Building trust โข Commitment and motivation โข Communication โข Empowering others โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organizing โข Professionalism โข Self-management โข Working in teams
Living conditions and remarksThimphu, the capital of Bhutan, experiences a wet season, which runs from May through September, and a dry season that covers the remainder of the year. Rainfall in the valley varies between 500 millimetres (20 in) and 1,000 millimetres (39 in) per year, the bulk of which is received during the monsoonal wet season. The average temperature recorded during winter varies between 5โ15 ยฐC while in summer the variation is between 15โ30 ยฐC. The coldest average (minimum) temperature in January is โ2.6 ยฐC and the average highest temperature recorded during August is 25 ยฐC. Entitlements of International UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD4,000); Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for International UN Volunteer Specialist based in Thimphu, Bhutan (About USD2,734.93*), Entitlement Travel for UN Volunteer and eligible dependents (subject to authorization by UNV HQ in writing): Flight tickets (entry on duty & repatriation); Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNVโs learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (USD225 per month served) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) at app.unv.org/explore *Calculators - UVP UNV VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued.