South Sudan: Climate and Security Advisor

Feb 3, 2022 | UNDP
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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

This position is embedded in the Political Pillar under the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General-Political (DSRSG-P), based in Juba, South Sudan. The Climate and Security Advisor will have a dual reporting line to UNMISS (to the Director of Civil Affairs and the DSRSG-P) and to Deputy Resident Representative - Programme) and a close link to the Climate Security Mechanism. The focus of her/his job is to advise the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on emerging and current risks to peace and security issues relating to natural resources and climate change in South Sudan and the broader Horn of Africa. In close liaison with the UNDP Country Office in South Sudan and with the Climate Security Mechanism team in New York, and the regional Division of DPO and DPPA, the Advisor will ensure that the Special Representative and the Deputy Special Representatives have timely access to the best available environmental/climate analysis and trends, in particular concerning interactions between environmental and climate-related stresses, socio-economic, political and migration trends. The Climate Security Mechanism (CSM), bringing together the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was established to strengthen the UN’s capacity to address the linkages between climate change, peace and security. CSM supports UN entities to integrate climate-related security risk analysis, conceptualization and response design and foster collaboration with research partners. Through the UNDP representative in the CSM, the Advisor can request advice and support on technical issues related to climate-related security risks and tap into the respective strengths of DPPA, UNDP and UNEP. The Advisor will also feed into the global work of the CSM and support knowledge management and other activities, including the UN Community of Practice on Climate Security.

Duties and Responsibilities 

The Climate and Security Advisor will be responsible for the following duties:

Support to political analysis and research (30%)

  • Develop a wide network of contacts relevant to climate and environmental issues, socio-economic, political and security situation in South Sudan, in collaboration with the UNCT in South Sudan.
  • Provide up-to-date analysis of the environmental causes and consequences of conflict and insecurity to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and their teams.
  • Support the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and the Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary-General in coordination of assistance relating to environmental issues in South Sudan, where possible via existing frameworks, including identification of priority interventions, and gaps in the response.
  • Map and enhance coordination of climate change and environment-related policies, programmes and projects in South Sudan; identify gaps in provision; identify and work to address any unintended adverse consequences arising from environment-related projects in South Sudan in partnership with UN Country Team, development partners and civil society.

Support to inter-agency strategy and coordination on climate security in South Sudan (30%)

  • Facilitate the drafting of the UNMISS-UNCT Climate and Security Strategy under the overall guidance and direction of “The UN Working Group on Climate Change, Transhumance, and Security.”
  • Contribute to the work of the UNCT on issues related to the impact of the climate change, environmental degradation and conflicts over natural resources.
  • Enhance joint UN initiatives such as the State of the Environment Outlook and UN Joint Programming on Charcoal, as well as transboundary issues, including water.

Knowledge management (20%)

  • Identify areas in which the Government of South Sudan or other partners in South Sudan would benefit from thematic and technical expertise on environmental issues, including mediation of natural resource conflicts; collaborate with UN entities in the Horn region to ensure effective transmission of expertise to enhance environment-related policies and programmes in South Sudan.
  • Prepare analysis of environmental issues, focusing on climate change, environmental degradation and conflict over natural resources in South Sudan, current and potential impact on the political and security situation, through regular liaison with a range of interlocutors in the capital and in affected states.

Advocacy and awareness raising (20%)

  • In collaboration with members of the country team, identify funding gaps related to environment-security issues; together with partners, develop proposals and approach potential donors.
  • Record lessons learned and prepare reports on a regular basis and contribute to system-wide guidance and learning, including on UN Climate Security Mechanism conceptual approach and Toolbox.

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results: Level 3 - Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively: Level 3 - Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously: Level 3 - Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: Level 3 - Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination: Level 3 - Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: Level 3 - Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 3 - Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

2030 Agenda - Peace: Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

  • Conflict Prevention
  • Land, Natural Resources and Conflict
  • Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
  • Early Warning

Business Direction & Strategy: Negotiation and Influence

  • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for concept, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management: Communication

  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Qualifications

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, international relations, environmental management or in any related field 
  • Bachelors degree with additional 2 years may be given due consideration in lieu of the Masters degree.

Experience:

  • 10 years (Masters degree) or 12 years (Bachelors Degree) of progressively responsible experience in climate change, natural resource management, environmental assessments, political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, law, disarmament, peace and security, development management, conflict resolution or related areas is required.
  • Experience in climate/environment-security issues and/or environmental governance 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.
  • Experience in aid coordination, aid management and work with UN Country Teams is desirable.
  • Experience working on or in South Sudan and/or the Horn of Africa is desirable.

Language Requirements:

  • Proficiency in oral and written English. 
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.