Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) is a Special Political Mission mandated to help prevent conflict and sustain peace in Central Africa. The mission is located in Libreville, Gabon, and covers the 11 countries of the Central Africa sub-region, mirroring the membership of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), namely, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, the Republic of Congo, and São Tomé and Principe. The Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) at the United Nations is an interagency initiative aiming to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations system to analyze and address the adverse impacts of climate change on peace and security. The CSM is a joint initiative by the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO). It works with partners around the world to foster and advance a gender-sensitive understanding of climate-related security risks and to support UN entities as well as regional and sub-regional organizations in the prevention and management of such risks. This position is embedded in UNOCA and based in Libreville, Gabon. The Climate Security Advisor will have a reporting line within UNOCA’s Office of SRSG through the Chief of staff, with a close link to the CSM. S/he will advance the work of UNOCA and other stakeholders in the Central African sub-region on climate security, including in the areas of partnership and advocacy; cooperation and coordination; analysis and technical advice; and knowledge management. The Climate Security Advisor will ensure that UNOCA’s leadership has timely access to the best available environmental/climate analysis and trends in Central Africa, in particular with regards to interactions between climate-related stressors and political, security and socio- economic factors. S/he will further provide technical guidance to the UN system and other partners on climate, environmental, peace and security policy and programming, and contribute to raising awareness. The Climate Security Advisor will also help to bridge the technical and political aspects of climate security and lead and contribute to training and capacity building efforts on climate security in the sub-region. Through close collaboration with the CSM, the Climate Security Advisor will be able to request advice and support on technical issues related to climate security risk analysis and management, and tap into the respective strengths of DPPA, UNDP, UNEP and DPO, as appropriate. S/he will also contribute to the global work of the CSM and support knowledge management activities and other advocacy, partnerships and convening efforts, including through the UN Community of Practice on Climate Security.

Responsibilities

Partnership and Advocacy: – Contribute to UNOCA’s efforts to enhance collaboration on climate security with stakeholders in Central Africa, in particular ECCAS and its member States, in close co- ordination with UN entities in the sub-region. – Support UNOCA’s advocacy efforts to mobilize international support for climate adaptation efforts led by Central African stakeholders, in close collaboration with the UN presences. – Work with entities from across the UN system and other partners to identify opportunities for climate finance to support peacemaking and peacebuilding activities in the sub-region. – Identify areas in which sub-regional stakeholders, including governments and other partners in Central Africa, would benefit from thematic and technical expertise on climate security and environmental issues. – Develop a wide network of contacts with relevant experiences and expertise in the fields of climate change, environmental, socio-economic, political and security issues in Central Africa, in collaboration with UN presences in the sub-region. Co-operation and Co-ordination: – Support UNOCA, and UN presences in the sub-region as appropriate, to mainstream climate security considerations into strategies and operations, including in the development of Common Country Analysis (CCA) and other systemwide processes. – Collaborate with UN entities in the sub-region to strengthen climate-sensitive approaches to conflict prevention and peacebuilding, as well as conflict-sensitive mitigation and adaptation policy and programming in Central Africa. – Enhance co-operation and collaboration between UNOCA and UN presences to bridge the technical and political aspects of climate security. Analysis and Advice: – Provide UNOCA’s leadership with up-to-date analysis of the interlinkages between climate change, peace and security, and their impact on strategic objectives of the mission. – Lead mainstreaming of climate security considerations across UNOCA’s activities and propose concrete steps the mission can take to address climate-related security risks, especially through its preventive diplomacy and good offices engagements. – Provide technical advice to UN entities in the sub-region on mainstreaming climate security considerations into strategies and operations, including through systemwide processes such as Common Country Analyses and the development of climate-sensitive peacebuilding projects. Capacity Building and Knowledge management: – Lead and contribute to initiatives aimed at building the capacity of UNOCA and other partners in the sub-region to analyze and manage climate-related security risks. – Support efforts by UN entities in and beyond the Central Africa sub-region to collect relevant data and good practices regarding the analysis and management of climate-related security risks. – Contribute to the preparation of reports as well as other research activities and studies related to climate security in the Central Africa sub-region. – Participate in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to climate security, as appropriate. – Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. Shows ability to relate to various issues and perspectives to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • 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 two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of climate security, climate change, environment, political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, law, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, disarmament, peace and security, conflict resolution, development, or related areas is required. Experience in climate/environmental security issues and/or environmental governance is required. Experience in conflict and political analysis and strategy development is required. Experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Extensive demonstrable experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required. Demonstrable experience in drafting and editing high quality analytical reports is required. Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior officials in the UN, government and external partners is desired. Experience in aid coordination, aid management and work with UN Country Teams is desirable. Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in the Central Africa sub-region is desirable. Experience with multidimensional risk assessments employing mixed method approaches and using advanced data analytics is desired.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.