Terms of Reference
Assessment of UNICEF’s Environmental Footprint Specialist: International consultancy
Duration: 65 days between 16 June 2014 – 17 September 2014
Duty Station: New York
1. Background:
On World Environment Day 2007 (June 5th), the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all UN
agencies, funds and programmes to become climate neutral and 'go green'.
“ In this regard, as we mark World Environment Day today, I would like to make a public commitment, as
the Organization’s direct contribution to global efforts to safeguard our planet and climate...I would like to
see our renovated Headquarters complex eventually become a globally acclaimed model of efficient use of
energy and resources. Beyond New York, the initiative should include the other United Nations
headquarters and offices around the globe. We need to work on our operations, too, by using energy more
efficiently and eliminating wasteful practices. That is why, today, I am asking the heads of all United
Nations agencies, funds and programmes to join me in this effort.”
Subsequently, on 27 October 2007, the Chief Executives Board (CEB) endorsed the “UN Climate Neutral
Strategy” which committed its organizations to achieve the following by 2009:
• Estimate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) consistent with accepted international standards;
• Undertake efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the extent possible; and
• Analyse the cost implications and explore budgetary modalities- including consulting with
governing bodies as needed – of purchasing carbon offsets to eventually reach climate neutrality.
Since then, all UN organisations have been working together to put in place systems and procedures to
measure and reduce the environmental impacts of the UN family and have recognized their particular
responsibility to ‘walk the talk’ and reduce their environmental footprint. Most organizations in reporting
on their environmental footprint refer to air travel, energy consumption, water use and waste
management.
As a member of the CEB, UNICEF has also committed itself to the UN Climate Neutral Strategy. UNICEF has
reported once on its HQ greenhouse gas emissions once in 2008, while many other agencies have reported
annually since then as reflected in the 2013 edition of “Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN: The UN
System’s Footprint and Efforts to Reduce It”. UNICEF HQ has also instituted some policies and measures
related to energy and travel as part of the efficiency agenda (e.g. SMART travel initiative) and while these
may have also contributed to emission reductions it is not known.
Some UNICEF offices have taken action to reduce their environmental footprint. However, they have not
established a GHG emission baseline established against which performance can be measured, and annual
GHG reporting does not take place. Therefore, it is not sure whether any measures taken so far have
resulted in any greenhouse gas emissions reductions or what their environmental footprint actually is.
2. Purpose of the consultancy
In order to fulfill its commitment as per the endorsement of the UN Climate Neutral Strategy, UNICEF is
hiring a consultant to:
 Assess the environmental footprint of UNICEF HQ, establishing a baseline for its environmental
footprint as of 2013, and develop a Standard Operating Procedure for reporting to the UN as per
its obligations;
 Identify and propose measures for UNICEF HQ to reduce its environmental footprint over time;

Develop general guidelines for ROs, COs and satellite HQ offices for both measuring and reducing
their environmental footprints.
The consultant will report to Chief Facilities Services, Division of Financial and Administrative Management
(DFAM). Joint oversight and review of outputs will be done by DFAM and the Division for Policy and
Strategy (DPS).
3. Expected Results
Duties and responsibilities
A. Assess the 2013 environmental footprint of UNICEF HQ;
In collaboration with colleagues in DFAM, the incumbent will:
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Collect and compile the 2013 data related to air travel, energy consumption, water use, waste
management (including costs)
Calculate resulting environmental footprint utilizing existing environmental performance reporting
tools used by other UN agencies.
Summarize information into an overall HQ environmental footprint assessment
Prepare the GHG emission data for submission to the UN, assuring full compliance with the
requirements of the UN regarding reporting on GHG emissions
Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for HQ to annually assess its environmental
footprint
Develop and implement training of relevant staff in DFAM and DPS on the application of the above
SOP.
.
B. Identify and propose measures for UNICEF HQ to reduce its environmental footprint over time1
Once a baseline has been established, the incumbent will prepare a report which will:
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Review existing studies/energy audits undertaken in the last few years.
Propose measures for reducing and/or offsetting greenhouse gas emissions related to air travel
Identify measures for energy efficiency in the HQ building
Research possibility for purchasing renewable electricity, such as renewable energy certificates
(RECs)
C. Develop general guidelines for UNICEF Offices for both measuring and reducing their
environmental footprints
Using the experience of preparing the baseline for HQs environmental footprint, the incumbent will:

Develop guidelines for UNICEF Offices to undertake environmental footprint assessments detailing
methodology, tools, and option of measures for reducing environmental footprints
4. Start date: 16 June –2014 End date: 17 September 2014
1
For component B of this assignment, the focus will be on identifying and proposing measures for reducing GHG
emissions.
5. Timeframe:
Components
A. Assess the environmental footprint of UNICEF HQ
B. Identify and propose measures for UNICEF HQ to reduce its environmental footprint over time
C. Develop general guidelines for COs for both measuring and reducing their environmental footprints
Deliverables
A.1:
* Excel file with all raw data related to air travel, energy consumption, water use, waste
management, etc, from 2013
* A note explaining the details of all data (location, owner, issues / uncertainties/missing data, any
processing done
Duration 10 days
Deadline 27 June 2014
A.2:
*Excel file with the calculated environmental footprint.
*Full report on the environmental footprint assessment, including chapters with a description of
methodology, results, and discussion.
*Proposed Standard Operating Procedures for the annual assessment of the environmental
footprint of HQ
Duration 15 days
Deadline 21 July 2014
B.1: Report on identifying and proposing measures for reducing environmental footprint of HQ
Duration 15 days
Deadline: 12 August 2014
C.1 Guidelines for ROs, COs and other HQ offices to undertake environmental footprint
assessments detailing methodology, tools, and option of measures for reducing environmental
footprint
Duration 15 days
Deadline 3 September 2014
A.3: GHG emission file prepared for submission to the UN
Duration 5 days
Deadline 10 September 2014
A.2: A one-day training to relevant staff in DFAM and DPS on the application of the above SOPs
including provision of training materials.
Duration 5 days
Deadline 17 September 2014
6. Key competences, technical background, and experience required:
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
 Advanced university degree in relevant area such as engineering, energy, environment
 Prior experience with internal organizational greening.
 Five years of relevant work experience
 Demonstrated knowledge of relevant international standards and protocols on greenhouse gas
accounting
•
Result orientation and client focus: promote client service and seek to produce significant
and positive impact
•
Team Player: project management skills and ability to build teams and/or contribute
productively to teamwork
•
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to evaluate plans and propose viable
alternatives
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Effective communication of key work-related issues to clients and maturity to understand
impact of client issues
Competencies of Successful Candidate
 Analyses and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide
range of sources.
 Writes high quality documents that are clear, convincing and applicable.
 Has excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
 Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural
environment.
 Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with
people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government counterparts and
non-government stakeholders.
 Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
 Contributes and tries out innovative approaches and insights.
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded
from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to NYHQ-DFAM-Recruitment
dfamrecruitment@unicef.org> with subject line “” Environmental Footprint Specialist”: by Friday 26 May
2014, 11 am EST.
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference
above taking into consideration an all-inclusive estimate for the fees. Including lump sum travel and
accommodation as applicable. Applications submitted without an all-inclusive rate will not be
considered.
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 laws.
UNICEF will not undertake any liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by consultants and
individual contractors on payments made under the individual contract. UNICEF does not issue statements
of earnings to consultant and individual contractors.