The United Nations Office recruits 01 Environmental Officer
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 Environmental Officer, P-4, will play the role of a Climate Security Advisor is mainly two-folds:
- 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
- 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;
- 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.
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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.
- Prepare reports, statements, presentations and other materials on climate security in West Africa and the Sahel, and participate in meetings and conferences, as relevant, to exchange information with other stakeholders.
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.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, Provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings where applicable.
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.
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.
- At least 2 years of field experience in Africa is desired;
- 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.
- At least 2 years of experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization 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 an assessment exercise, which may be followed by interviews.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available until [June 2024]. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as « retirement. » Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
This job opening is advertised to fill a temporarily vacant position during the absence of the regular incumbent for a period of one year or longer. The regular incumbent is entitled to return to this position at the expiry of the temporary vacancy period. If the regular incumbent exercises the right to return, the appointment or temporary assignment or promotion of the candidate selected for this job opening will not be renewed or extended.
The selection process for this job opening will be conducted pursuant to ST/AI/2010/3 on the “Staff Selection System” and include the compliance review process by a review body described in staff rule 4.15. In case of selection, a staff member of the United Nations Secretariat who meets the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10 will be placed on a temporary assignment if he or she holds the same grade as the job opening; and a temporary promotion if he or she holds a lower grade than the job opening. If the regular incumbent vacates the position during such temporary assignment or promotion, the selected staff member will be laterally assigned, promoted or transferred to the position without further selection process under ST/AI/2010/3.
Closing date : 10 May 2022.Postuler