Mali: Senior Climate Security Adviser [Temporary]

Jun 6, 2023 | United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
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The Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) 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 was established in 2018 as a joint initiative by the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It works with partners around the world to foster and advance a gender-sensitive understanding of climate security and to support UN entities as well as regional and sub-regional organizations in the prevention and management of climate-related security risks.

Under the overall guidance of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSMA, the Senior Climate Security Adviser, based in Bamako, will report to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General /Resident Coordinator /Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC). The Senior Climate Security Adviser will maintain close links with the Head of UNEP’s Environmental Security Unit and the CSM.

The Senior Climate Security Adviser will advise and act as a resource person for the Mission leadership and sections about emerging and current risks to peace and security issues related to climate change and lead on the integration of climate risk considerations into analysis, plans, strategies, and policies of the Mission. The Senior Climate Security Adviser will further enhance coordination on climate security between MINUSMA, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and other relevant partners. Given the cross-border nature of climate-related security risks, the Senior Climate Security Adviser will also be expected to take into consideration regional climate security initiatives as they relate to Mali in collaboration with relevant frameworks and organizations such as the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

The Senior Climate Security Adviser will work in close collaboration with existing mechanisms and UNCT colleagues to ensure complementary/synergy and avoid duplication.

The Senior Climate Security Adviser will ensure that Mission leadership has timely access to the best available environmental/climate analysis and trends. The Senior Climate Security Adviser will further provide technical guidance on climate, peace and security policy issues, contribute to raise awareness and mainstream climate security across policy areas into the work of the Mission, and build further capacity to help bridge the technical and political aspects of climate peace and security. Through the CSM and close interagency collaboration, the Senior Climate Security Adviser will be able to request advice and support on technical issues related to climate-related security risks and tap into the respective strengths of DPPA, UNDP, UNEP, DPO and other UN entities as appropriate. The Senior Climate Security Adviser will also share the results of his/her work in Mali to contribute to the global work of the CSM and thereby support knowledge management activities and other advocacy, partnerships and convening efforts, including through the UN Community of Practice on Climate Security.

Responsibilities

Advisory

  • In consultation with relevant Mission components, concerned UN Agencies and partners provide up-to-date analysis of the interlinkages between climate change, peace and security, to the Mission Leadership and propose steps to address these issues.
  • Support the Mission Leadership in coordinating an integrated gender-sensitive UN approach to climate-related factors that contribute to insecurity and tensions in Mali, including identification of priority interventions and gaps in the response.
  • Contribute to the work of the UNCT and relevant Mission components on policy and programming work regarding issues related to peace and security impacts of climate change.

Mainstreaming

  • In collaboration with other Mission components and concerned UN Agencies, map and enhance coordination of climate change-related factors, particularly those with an impact on peace and security, in policies, programmes and projects in Mali; identify gaps in provision and priority responses to address these issues.
  • Guide the Mission in mainstreaming climate security approaches into, inter alia, national and local policy, Mission strategy and integrated assessment and planning processes.
  • In consultation with the UNCT and relevant Mission components, including JMAC, Mediation and Civil Affairs, identify areas in which the Government of Mali or other partners would benefit from thematic and technical expertise on the links between climate-change and peace and security including on mediation of natural resource conflicts.

Knowledge management, communication, and advocacy

  • Support the Mission’s climate security knowledge management, communication, and advocacy efforts, including by recording lessons learned and good practices, and contributing to the preparation of reports as well as other research activities and studies in Mali.
  • Develop a wide network of contacts with relevant experience and expertise in climate change issues, the socio-economic, political and security situation in Mali, in close collaboration with relevant Mission components and the UNCT.
  • Participate in conferences, seminars and academic fora related to climate security.
  • Draft notes, background papers, talking points, speeches, and other correspondence.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Solid knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to climate change (including climate change international regime) and to peace and security. Ability to identify key strategic issues, linkages, opportunities, and risks across different policy areas particularly between peace, security and climate change and propose efficient course of action. Ability to conduct political outreach, facilitation and advisory on complex topics in order to provide broad and compelling organizational direction. 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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 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 improvements; 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, conflict studies, climate, environment, or a related field. A first university degree with a combination of five years of professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of climate security, climate change, environmental assessments/management, political affairs, international relations, environmental law, conflict prevention/resolution, peacebuilding, peace and security or related areas is required.
  • At least two years of experience in climate/environment-security issues and/or environmental governance is required.
  • Experience in political/program/policy outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice, and reporting is desirable.
  • Experience in drafting and editing high quality analytical reports is desirable.
  • Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience, and track record of engagement with senior officials ( UN, government, or development partners) is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written French and English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.

Special Notice

  • This position is temporarily available until 14 Octobre 2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.