Recruitment of Consultant for the Scoping Study of “Climate Security Project in Central Africa”

Aug 29, 2020 | UN Regional Office for Central Africa
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The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) is a Special Political Mission with a regional mandate to help prevent conflict and consolidate peace in Central Africa.

I. Background / Project Description

UNOCA’s mandate related to climate security: In September 2019, the Security Council issued a Presidential Statement (S/PRST/2019/10), reiterating its call made in August 2018 (S/PRST/2018/17), encouraging UNOCA to take into consideration climate change, ecological changes and natural disasters among other factors affecting the stability of the Central African sub-region. Subsequently, in November 2019, 11 member States of the Economic Community for Central African States (ECCAS) requested that UNOCA, alongside the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), should support their efforts to address the impact of climate change on peace and security in the subregion, through ministerial declaration issued at 49th UNSAC meeting held in Luanda, Angola.

Climate change and its security implications in Central Africa: UNOCA’s geographic coverage is vast, with 6,667,087 km2, comprising a variety of climate zones, from desert, semi-arid, monsoon, sub-tropical to equatorial climate. Notably, the area hosts the Congo Basin, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, spanning through six Central African countries (Cameroon, CAR, Congo, DRC, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon), which has a vital impact on the climate of the region and much beyond, and vice versa. Moreover, adaptation capacity varies greatly across this vast region, with different variants, such as population densities, coping strategies as well as security risks on the ground. While there is a consensus that Central Africa as a whole is among the most affected areas in the world, effects of climate change, not least on the stability on the ground, are by no means homogeneous within this vast sub-region. Nonetheless, research attention on the linkage between climate change and security in Central Africa has remained concentrated almost exclusively on the Lake Chad Basin, which has been plagued by insecurity caused by Boko Haram, further compounded by the impact of the shrinkage of the surface of the Lake Chad, which is also very well known, and often linked to climate change.

Climate Security project: Guided by our mandate, and with awareness that the impact of climate change on security in the vast majority of the area in Central Africa has remained under-researched, UNOCA is launching a regional project in this regard. The following three key objectives have been identified: i) Strengthen UNOCA’s knowledge base regarding the impacts of climate change on peace and security in Central Africa; ii) Enhance UNOCA’s capacity to conduct climate-related security risk analysis and to develop effective risk prevention and mitigation strategies; and iii) Strengthen the capacity of regional actors on climate security. Attention will also be paid to the effects of environmental changes on cross border crime, illicit exploitation of resources as well as pastoralism and transhumance.

The project will be implemented in three phases over an initial period of two years. The first phase (two-month long) is dedicated to a Scoping Study, followed by the second phase, comprising field visits and assessment on the ground. The third and final phase will be dedicated to supporting the region in the implementation of the recommendations obtained during the earlier phases. The Consultant will be tasked to implement the first phase, i.e. the Scoping Study, under the guidance of UNOCA, and in close consultation with the Climate Security Mechanism (DPPA – United Nations Development Programme – United Nations Environment Programme). In order to map out various climate security challenges on the ground, and any initiatives and efforts being made to address them, the Consultant will liaise with and manage active participation of UN entities in the sub-region, including Resident Coordinator’s Offices (O/RC), UN Country Teams (UNCT), Peace and Development Advisers (PDAs) as well as Peacekeeping Missions in the sub-region (MINUSCA and MONUSCO). In order to ensure that gender, human rights and other pertinent elements are duly integrated, moreover, other special agencies (UN Women, OHCHR, UNODC) will also be invited for consultation, along with relevant thinktanks.

II. Scope of Work

The Consultant will work on the first phase of the two year-project, Scoping Study, envisioned for a period of two months. The key aim of the scoping study is to map out existing and potential climate change induced security challenges, with the ultimate goal of informing the subsequent phases, through defining the geographic and thematic scope of climate-related security risks assessment in Central Africa.

To this end, working under guidance provided by UNOCA and the Climate Security Mechanism, the Consultant will:

• Map out various climate-change induced security challenges in the Central African sub-region primarily through reviewing existing literature and conducting exchanges with UN presences and other relevant stakeholders in the sub-region;
• Take stock of existing initiatives that are relevant for climate security in the Central African sub-region, including in the area of adaptation, mitigation and peacebuilding;
• Identify potential partners on climate security in the sub-region, including national authorities, international/(sub-)regional organisations, research institutions, civil society organisations, universities, etc.;
• Review relevant experiences gained in other regions, including West Africa, to identify challenges and solutions in key thematic areas also relevant in Central Africa, such as transhumance and pastoralism, migration, exploitation of natural resources, the blue economy and armed group activities, primarily through desk review;

The Consultant will work under guidance of the Scoping Team, led by UNOCA and joined by the entities of the Climate Security Mechanism (DPPA, UNEP and UNDP), which is expected to collaborate with experts of other relevant UN entities in the sub-region, including Resident Coordinator’s Offices, UN Country Teams as well as Peace and Development Advisers (PDAs), etc.. In order to ensure that gender, human rights and other pertinent elements are duly integrated, moreover, relevant special agencies (UN Women, OHCHR, UNODC) will also be invited for consultation.

By the end of the two-month period, the Consultant will draft a succinct but comprehensive report summarising the findings obtained, to inform the subsequent phases of the two-year project.

The report, therefore, shall contain the following contents:

1. Mapping of the climate-related security challenges in the Central African sub-region, based on literature review and exchanges with UN and other experts;
2. Mapping of existing initiatives addressing climate-related security challenges in Central Africa;
3. Mapping of actors and potential partners in addressing climate-related security challenges in Central Africa;
4. Review of relevant experiences gained in other parts Africa, identifying the thematic areas also relevant in the Central African sub-region;
5. List and brief excerpts of literature on climate-security challenges in Central Africa.

III. Expected Outputs and Deliverables and Estimate Duration to Complete

1. Research Plan including time frame (2 working days)
2. Draft a report summarising the findings from desk review of existing literature and from exchanges (7 working days)
3. Draft a list of relevant literature with excerpts (5 working days)
4. Revise the drafts reflecting the review done by UNOCA and the CSM (2 working days)

Review and Approvals Required for all Deliverables: UNOCA with the Climate Security Mechanism

IV. Institutional Arrangements/ Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNOCA Political Affairs Section, the Consultant will conduct the Scoping Study primarily through desk review of relevant literature. Jointly with UNOCA and the Climate Security Mechanism, moreover, the Consultant will engage in exchanges with relevant UN presences in the Central African sub-region to conduct interview and exchanges. The Consultant will report to UNOCA, which will review and approve his/her products, in consultation with the UN Climate Security Mechanism.

V. Logistics and Administrative Support to the Consultant

The Consultant will be home based (no travel required).

VI. Duration of the Work

The Consultant will work for a total of 35 days, over the period of two months. The final deliverables are expected to be submitted and approved by 17 November 2020.

VII. Qualifications of the Successful Consultant

a. Education:

• An advanced degree in Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Resolution or International Law;

b. Experience:

• At least five years of relevant work experience with academia, think tank, national or local government, non-governmental organisation, regional or international organization including UN, Africa Union, Regional Economic Community (REC), is required.
• Professional experience in Africa (preferably Central Africa) is required.
• Proven experience in report writing in English, preferably for a policy think tank, UN, AU or REC, is desirable.

c. Language:

• Full proficiency in English and French is required. Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is an advantage.

d. Computer Skills:

• Excellent computer literacy and skills on MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and overall report writing is required.

e. Functional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and drafting skills are required.
• Excellent communication skills, both in English and French, are required.
• Expertise in climate change, environmental science, conflict prevention and peacebuilding is desirable.

f. Core Competencies:

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept responsibilities and ability to work independently; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; work in responsive and client-oriented manner.
• Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Planning, effective organizational and problem-solving skills: ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Communication: excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards colleagues, but objective, without showing personal interest.

VIII. Application

Interested parties who meet the qualifications specified above are invited to submit an application with the following items:

• Curriculum Vitae (signed, with date);
• Motivation letter;
• Scanned copies of diplomas;
• Work certificates;
• Two reference letters from your former employer/supervisor;
• Proposed Plan of work.

IX. Application Submission and Deadline

Application (see VIII) should be sent by Email to Ms Megumi Yoshii (yoshii@un.org) copying Ms Ablavi Ayeh (ayeh@un.org). The subject line should read [Consultant: Climate Security Project]. Deadline for submission is Friday 11 September 2020 at 17:00 GMT.

X. Remuneration

Remuneration will be made in conformity with UN rules and standards.