Gabon: Climate Security Advisor

Feb 27, 2022 | United Nations Office in Central Africa
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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 Political Affairs Section, 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:

  • Knowledge of peace and security challenges in the Central African sub region.
  • Understanding of climate impacts on human security; ability to establish and strengthen partnerships at different levels; ability to coordinate complex multi stakeholder processes; ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks to inform political engagement; ability to conduct political outreach and facilitation and provide strategic advice on complex topics; demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operations.
  • 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:

  • Ability to produce high-quality analytical reports.
  • 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 the 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.

Requirements

Education

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in in political science, international relations, conflict studies, political economy, climate, environment or related fields is required.
  • A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work 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 a plus.

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. Working knowledge of other languages spoken in the Central Africa sub-region is an advantage.

Assessment

  • Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily is available for an initial period of 364 days, renewable.



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.


At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.


The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this 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.


The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.


Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.