Ethiopia: Programme Management Officer, Climate Security Mechanism

Jan 25, 2021 | UNEP
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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Within UNEP, the Environmental Security Unit aims to reduce risks to peace from environmental degradation and climate change and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system in fragile regions and countries.

The Climate Security Mechanism (CSM), bringing together UNEP, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 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 UNEP representative in the CSM, the Programme Officer 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 Programme Officer 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.

This position is embedded in the Office of the Special Envoy (OSE) of the Secretary-General, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . The Programme Officer will report to the Director of Political Affairs, with a second reporting line to the Environmental Security Unit and with a close link to the CSM. The focus of her/his job is to advise the Special Envoy on emerging and current risks to peace and security issues relating to natural resources and climate change in the Horn of Africa. In close liaison with UNEP Divisions and Offices, with the Climate Security Mechanism team in New York, and the regional Division of DPPA, the Programme Officer will ensure that the Office of the Special Envoy has 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.

Responsibilities

  • Develop a system for sustained monitoring of tensions relating to climate change, natural resources and environmental degradation in the Horn of Africa, drawing on both scientific and technical data (working with relevant UN partners) and liaison with a network of key regional interlocutors; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. Builds and sustains mechanisms for early warning and the systematic analysis of climate-related security risks in the country/region in collaboration with UN and regional partners.
  • Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with Office of the Special Envoy (OSE), UNEP and regional partners, by planning and facilitating workshops, through other interactive means and assisting in developing goals to manage the change.
  • Researches, analyzes and presents to the Special Envoy information on the linkages between climate change, peace and security gathered from diverse sources and building on the Climate Security Mechanism’s guidance materials, including the conceptual approach and the Climate Security Toolbox. Assesses current and potential impact of environmental stresses on the political and security situation; advises the Special Envoy on emerging and current risks to peace and security relating to natural resources and climate change.
  • Builds and maintains partnerships with the broader research community in the area of climate-related security risks and fosters/facilitates dialogue with a view to ensuring a more coherent approach.
  • Coordinates policy development on climate-related security risks in the OSE, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations and other research activities. Proposes policy directives and plans of action for immediate and long-term solutions; analyses implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.
  • Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. Formulates prevention and peacebuilding strategies relating to natural resources and climate resilience in the Horn of Africa, in line with the UN Comprehensive Regional Strategy for the Horn of Africa, and working in close partnership with the UN Development Coordination Office, UN agencies and programmes, and the World Bank.
  • Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications,. Contributes to knowledge management activities of the Climate Security Mechanism, including by providing analytical reports and context specific updates.
  • Prepares and oversees the preparation of briefing notes and talking points for the Special Envoy. Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
  • Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. Supports UN advocacy and communication around climate-related security risks in the country/region, in particular through meetings of the senior management of selected UN Country Teams and UN Peace Operations and Special Political Missions.
  • Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
  • Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements,) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

  • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the linkages between climate change, peace and security.
  • Ability to identify how climate change can affect the emergence, escalation, continuation and resolution of conflict, and to analyze and develop transnational response strategies to challenges posed by climate-related security risks.
  • Ability to conduct data collection using qualitative and quantitative methods from the fields of social and environmental science and to integrate findings into coherent, forward-looking analysis.
  • Conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources.
  • Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
  • 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.

Planning & organizing:

  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments.
  • Adjusts priorities as required.
  • Allocates 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 and uses time efficiently.

Client orientation:

  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view.
  • Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
  • Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems.
  • Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.
  • Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, environment, social sciences, economics or a related field.
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, political analysis, administration or related area.
  • Experience of work in an insecure/conflict-affected context and with UN partners is desirable.

Languages

  • English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
  • Knowledge of French is desirable.
  • Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

NOTE: ''Fluency equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

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.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

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.