Consultant: Project Manager, Climate Security in the Horn of Africa

Jul 10, 2021 | UNEP
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The United Nations Environment Programme is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system. To operationalize the climate-related security risk assessment, UNEP will recruit an ad interim project manager on behalf of the CSM for a period of 6 months. Building on the scoping study that was finalized in May 2021, he/she will translate findings of the scoping study into tangible outputs and drive progress in delivery of the project. This includes refining the workplan and developing concept notes in collaboration with relevant UN partners and recruitment and accompaniment of consultants. She/he will also engage with AU and IGAD to promote a common understanding of climate security and make sure AU and IGAD work is reflected in the assessment. She/he will support the establishment of a regional Community of Practice on Climate Security. The work will be carried out in close coordination with UNEP-CSM, OSE-HoA, and the other consultants working under Pillar 4.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected Duration

80 working days between 1 August 2021 and 31 December 2021

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN’s Comprehensive Regional Prevention Strategy for the Horn of Africa (HoA) is the United Nations’ internal support framework for conflict prevention work in the HoA region. The five-year strategy, covering the period 2019 to 2023, aims to operationalise the Secretary-General’s vision of prevention in the region and encourage joined-up action and system-wide ownership of outcomes. The strategy promotes coordination and information sharing between United Nations stakeholders in the region as well as collaboration and partnerships with external partners including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU) as sine qua non conditions to reach prevention goals. The strategy is constructed around four core elements or pillars: regional peace and security; resilience and socio- economic development; inclusive and responsive governance; and sustainable natural resources management and climate adaptability/resilience.

The fourth pillar focuses on improving the analysis of environmental risks, including climate-related security risks, leading to more consistent adoption of conflict-sensitive methodologies, trans-boundary water resources management, and transparent and accountable management of extractive resources. An inter-entity group (working group 4), led by UNEP and including FAO, IOM, UNDP, UN Habitat, WFP and Secretariat officials, has been put in place and completed an analysis of transboundary water issues in the HoA, relevant to the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa’s (OSE-HoA) prevention mandate. FAO and UN Habitat are conducting analysis of land, peace and development issues. A scoping study on climate security in the region has also been completed, this will feed into (i) a comprehensive regional assessment of climate-related security risks and (ii) support to the Special Envoy and his team in taking forward the findings of the assessment and integrate key initiatives to support regional management of natural resources and promote climate resilience in the light of conflict prevention.

The Climate Security Mechanism (CSM), a joint DPPA-UNDP-UNEP initiative, will further support these efforts through funds made available by the Federal Government of Germany and mobilize thematic and local expertise through this project to inform the climate-related security risk assessment and by providing technical advisory services for innovative response strategies and political engagement in the region.

Detailed description of tasks

Building in particular on work so far under working group 4 and on the scoping study, the project manager will:

• Develop the TORs of 5 thematic research pieces/action plans that will feed into the rolling assessment in collaboration with Pillar 4 UN agencies. These thematic pieces, identified through the Scoping Study, are related to (i) human wellbeing and security (ii) food security (iii) water security and strategic management (iv) environment, sustainability and livelihoods (v) energy poverty.
• Identify key stakeholders, help consolidate alliances around thematic pieces and action plans.
• Redact necessary documentation for consultant recruitments and accompany the consultants in developing the thematic pieces.
• Further develop the project workplan with consideration of realistic timelines and deliverables.
• Together with the Scientific Lead – and keeping other key UN entities, such as the Office of the Special Envoy – closely informed - , engage with AU and IGAD to build the foundations for the climate security assessment which is to be co-developed with the regional entities. Suggest areas for collaboration with the UN system on strengthening a regional climate security lens.
• Provide inputs to the climate security assessment. Drive forward the planning of the assessment. Support the Scientific lead in pragmatic aspects of developing the assessment (including fixing timelines and convening of meetings).
• Support the Pillar 4 rapporteur with planning, development of background information and slides for Pillar 4 meetings.
• Support the establishment of a regional Community of Practice on climate security, including organization of the first meeting.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Competency: Demonstrated ability to operationalize ideas and manage a project. Proven capacity to translate analytical work into actions. Excellent listening skills and capacity to work out ideas in collaboration with diverse colleagues. Excellent redaction and communication skills. Understanding of environmental issues.
• Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, development studies or other relevant discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience (more is desirable) in the areas of climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, and/or peace and security. Project management experience is required. Previous work experience with IGAD and/or AU is highly desirable.
• Experience in building stakeholder engagement. UN experience is an advantage.
• Language: Fluency in written and spoken English. Good knowledge of regional languages is an advantage

Additional Information

Expected Results

The project manager will work closely with UNEP and be supported by CSM and the Office of the Special Envoy (OSE).

Key deliverables are as follows:

1. Development of thematic assessment ToRs
2. Recruitment and accompaniment of consultants
3. Revised workplan with timelines and deliverables
4. Climate security collaboration roadmap with IGAD and AU
5. Inputs to the climate security assessment, clear timeline and plan to deliver and update the assessment on a biannual basis
6. Pillar 4 meetings supported, regional Community of Practice convened

NO FEE

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.