USA: Call for GPN ExpRes Roster – Climate and Security Risk Policy and Programming Experts

Jul 6, 2021 | United Nations Development Programme
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The United Nations Development Programme is the global development network of the United Nations. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations and advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves.

Background

The multidimensional nature of climate change creates far-reaching consequences not only for the environment but also for development and ultimately for the security of people, communities and states. While climate change does not cause violent conflict in and of itself, it can multiply risks known to contribute to insecurity, overburden state capacity, and make already vulnerable communities more susceptible to threats.

In the past 15-20 years, these interlinkages between climate change, prevention and sustaining peace have received a growing amount of attention both among researchers and increasingly also in policy circles. In the Security Council, for instance, a landmark Presidential Statement from 2011 (PRST/2011/15) paved the way for more regular engagement on this topic and set the stage for a series of formal outcomes over the past two years recognizing the adverse impact of climate change on stability and calling for “adequate risk assessments and risk management strategies by governments and the United Nations”.

Across the UN system, a number of departments, agencies, funds and programmes deal with the impact of climate-related security risks. However, there is currently no shared, overarching understanding of and approach to climate-related risks. Responses tend to be ad-hoc and joint analysis and planning remain elusive. One of the main challenges is to connect analysis and assessments generated by the development/climate adaptation communities with the analyses of political and security risks by the peace and security entities to inform an integrated understanding of risks and develop coordinated response strategies. A concerted effort from across the UN system is needed to build bridges between different sets of mandates, expertise and capacities.

UNDP is putting together a pool of experts to support climate & security risk policy and programme development. The roster of experts will be utilized in 2020 but will be positioned for the next two to three years to provide a continued pool of expertise to countries for implementation of climate and security policy and programming, focusing on supporting implementation of actions and delivering results on the ground.

The Global Policy Network Experts Roster for Rapid Response (GPN ExpRes) is a recruitment and deployment mechanism which maintains pre-vetted consultants on a roster and contracts them quickly for Country Office support. The primary purpose of this roster has been to deploy technical experts to UNDP Country Offices/regional teams/ HQ units on short notice.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks assigned in each individual assignment may include one or more of the following:

1. Climate security policy development, advocacy and strategic advisory roles

  • Develop global, national and sub-national strategy and policy guidance for climate and security implementation;
  • Review of policy literature on climate and security;
  • Identification of barriers and solutions for proposed policy and interventions;
  • Undertake climate security risk identification, assessment and index development, and prevention/mitigation programming;
  • Identify opportunities for advocacy and resource mobilization on global/regional/country levels;

2. Knowledge creation, research and documentation 

  • Undertake primary/secondary research in the new areas of concern on climate and security based on reviews of existing literature;
  • Develop research design, research questions and scope of work for undertaking primary research in new areas;
  • Document good practices, case studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing;
  • Design and implement multi-stakeholder consultation processes for testing, validation, and advocacy;
  • Develop literature on best practices and case studies; and
  • Contribute to Communities of Practice, including UN Community of Practice on Climate and Security.

3. Project design, formulation & other programme related technical support

  • Prepare conceptual framework/concept notes on new area of work/developmental challenge;
  • Provide technical assistance in identification of developmental challenges, target areas, beneficiaries and partners and formulation of implementation strategy for UNDP climate and security programmatic and advisory support;
  • Provide technical support in development on new interventions/projects with Implementation (operational plan, monitoring and resource requirement) Institutional and management arrangements;
  • Identify issues, formulate and implement interventions that focus on various activities;
  • Conduct studies on project/programme highlights, activities and processes involved;
  • Prepare and review project documents;
  • Identify areas/beneficiaries and partners; timing, sequencing of activities; mobilization of finance;
  • Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of global, regional, national and/or sub-national policies and programmes; and
  • Prepare project proposals to ensure innovation in concepts, strategies and incorporation of best practices.

4. Capacity development/training

  • Develop capacity assessments and plans to achieve the milestones identified and address the identified capacity gaps.
  • Develop target specific training tools/toolkits and manuals based on training needs assessment.
  • Design training curriculum, conduct and/or coordinate trainings programmes for various stakeholders.
  • Carry out capacity assessments for development of strategic interventions for institutional strengthening.
  • Design and delivery of training toolkits, products etc.
  • Conduct and/or Coordinate trainings, events and workshops.

Competencies

  • Experience in climate security policy, programming and/or research one or more relevant region/sub-region: Arab States, Asia, Central Asia, the Pacific, South Asia and/or Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Good track record in project management.
  • Understanding of policy, government functioning and national processes.
  • Updated familiarity on various international projects across one or more areas of expertise.
  • Working knowledge of objectives-oriented project planning, or results-based management
  • Leadership skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills.
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
  • Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work.
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
  • Candidates should possess the basic gender competencies including clarity on gender equality concepts, commitment to work in a gender-sensitive manner; they should be able to demonstrate ability to carry out gender analysis within specific development areas through their work experiences
  • Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
  • Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet.

Required Skills and Experience

Education/academic qualification:

  • An advanced university degree preferred in conflict prevention, economics, political science, international development, environmental management, climate change, or affairs or a similar field.

Education, experience and skills:

  • Band 1, Implementation Support: Master’s Degree in relevant field with minimum 5 years of relevant work experience, or Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum 7 years of relevant work experience.
  • Band 2, Specialist Support: Master’s Degree in relevant field with minimum 7 years of relevant work experience, out of which minimum 3 years of international experience as a requirement.
  • Band 3, Senior Advisory: Master’s Degree in relevant field with minimum 12 years of relevant work experience, out of which minimum 5 years of international experience as a requirement.

Knowledge and skills:

  • Experience in research and policy advice for UN, government, thinktank and research institutes in climate and security in different regional and country contexts
  • Field experience in developing country, conflict affected setting is an asset
  • Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder/consultative processes
  • Strong analytical and research skills
  • Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision and within tight schedules
  • Excellent spoken and written English, knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage

Evaluation of applicants

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above and may be requested to participate in a brief interview. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above. Qualified women, especially from the Global south, are encouraged to apply.

Applications should include: 

  • A cover letter, clearly identifying the “Areas of Expertise” as mentioned in the background section above.
  • Updated P11 and Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references
  • Daily professional Fee.