Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) is a regional Special Political Mission (SPM) with a conflict prevention and peacebuilding mandate from the Security Council. As such, it undertakes good offices and preventive diplomacy and works with the UN and regional partners to address cross-border and cross-cutting threats to peace and security, promote good governance, respect for the rule of law, human rights and the mainstreaming of gender in conflict prevention, management and resolution initiatives. During its mandate renewal in January 2020, the Council requested UNOWAS to “take into consideration the adverse implications of climate change, energy poverty, ecological changes, and natural disasters, among other factors, including by assisting the governments of the region and the United Nations system in undertaking risk assessments and risk management strategies relating to these factors.” This Climate Security Advisor will support UNOWAS in the implementation of these mandated tasks, in close cooperation with the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM), a joint initiative by DPPA, UNDP, UNEP and DPO. The position is located in the Political Affairs Section of UNOWAS, based in Dakar, Senegal, and reports to the Team Leader.

Responsibilities

The role of the Climate Security Advisor is mainly twofold: • To advise UNOWAS leadership and substantive staff on current and emerging peace and security risks relating to climate and environmental change in West Africa and the Sahel, and to lead on the mainstreaming of such climate-related security risks into political analysis, strategies and advocacy of the mission. • To enhance coordination and cooperation on climate security between UNOWAS and its partners in support of policy development and implementation by the UN system, regional organizations and national governments in the region. In particular, this includes: 1. Prepare analysis of the impact of environmental issues on peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel through integrated risk assessments and consultations with UN and non-UN actors, including ECOWAS, government agencies, the scientific community, and civil society; keeping database and resource-materials of such analyses prepared for information and access of mission leadership and collaborators; 2. Support the development of risk management strategies that draw on the climate security risk assessments completed, including support to ECOWAS in the development and implementation of its Regional Climate Strategy and support to national governments in the development and implementation of National Climate Change Plans through the work of the UN Country Teams. 3. Provide technical guidance on climate security policy and programming with the view to mainstream climate security across policy areas of the mission, and build further capacity to help bridge the technical and political aspects of climate security; 4. Lead and contribute to training and capacity building efforts on climate security for UNOWAS substantive staff and other UN staff in the region in collaboration with local partners and the CSM, as appropriate; 5. Contribute to the global work of the CSM and support knowledge management activities, advocacy, partnerships and convening efforts, including through the UN Community of Practice on Climate Security; 6. Serve as the coordinator of the Secretariat of the UN Working Group on Climate Change, Environment, Security and Development, including planning, organization, and follow-up of meetings, reporting, consultations, and partner outreach, especially as it relates to the Working Group’s role in monitoring and implementing the Call to Action emanating from the Regional Conference on Climate Change, Peace and Security held in Dakar on 6 and 7 April 2022; 7. Serve as UNOWAS’ technical focal point with the Office of the Special Coordinator on Development in the Sahel relating to climate security activities and events, to ensure synergy, timely cooperation and sharing of information; 8. Develop a wide network of contacts relevant to the field of climate security in West Africa and the Sahel; conduct outreach and initiate collaboration with other regional bodies and actors (such as the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the Climate Commission for the Sahel, G5 Sahel, the Manu River Union (MRU), the Greet Green Wall (GGW) initiative, the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), the World Bank, as well as non-governmental organizations and research institutions.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks in the field of climate change and security as it relates to UNOWAS’ mandate implementation; Good understanding of peace and security issues in West Africa and the Sahel; Ability to establish and strengthen partnerships at different levels; Capacity to manage complex multi-stakeholder processes; Shows good analytical skills and persistence when faced with difficult challenges; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocated appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time effectively. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having a two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, environmental studies, development, geology, climate change or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental management/assessments, geology, climate change, biodiversity, development or related field is required Experience in conflict analysis and resolution is desirable At least 2 years of experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization is required At least 2 years of field experience in Africa is desirable A strong understanding of global environmental and climate change policy and practice is required Demonstrable experience in drafting and editing high quality reports is required

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment and/or competency-based interview.

Special Notice

“Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.