South Africa: Researcher - Climate Security Specialist, Pretoria, South Africa

Sep 4, 2023 | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
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The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a dynamic & multi skilled Climate Security Specialist. This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa, and will be hosted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people.

The primary goal of this role is to contribute to state-of-the-art knowledge generation on matters concerning climate, conflict, displacement, inequality, gender, and peacebuilding within the Climate Resilience (ClimBer) and the Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM) research initiatives. For both initiatives, the research focus will primarily concentrate on:

  •  The impacts of climate risks on vulnerable populations and migrants, encompassing climate adaptation, resilience, and their interconnection with conflict.
  •  Gender, social equity, and climate-related insecurity (encompassing issues of unequal access, social cohesion, marginalization, and political economy across various scales).
  •  Local institutions and peace (cross-cutting considerations spanning the humanitarian, development, and peace sectors within fragile and intricate environments, with a programmatic emphasis).
  •  Grasping mobility and forced climate migration, the driving forces, and repercussions at both origin and destination, revealing the climate conflict migration nexus, and discerning the role of diaspora and remittances.

Drawing from findings derived from the research, the candidate will contribute to three crucial outcomes: influencing policies and practices, publishing in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, and seeking grants through fundraising efforts. With a foundation in development studies, alongside a robust background in peace and conflict studies, policy formulation, and pertinent qualitative analysis skills, the successful candidate will make contributions to the following four research domains:

  •  Evidence for Climate Security: Grasping the intricacies of climate and security to facilitate well-informed, gender-sensitive, and socially equitable decision-making. This research realm seeks to unravel the principal impact routes that connect climate, agriculture, and security in diverse geographical contexts, enriching the understanding of the intricate, context-specific, socially diverse, and dynamic paths through which climate influences conflict risk.
  •  Programming for Climate Security: Devising climate security-aware strategies within agricultural contexts. The primary aim of this segment is to create a global framework that informs the blueprint and execution of comprehensive strategies at regional, national, and subnational tiers. These strategies aim to enhance interventions, research, policies, and investments, with the aim of mitigating and preventing conflicts, minimizing disparities and vulnerabilities among populations, and enhancing resilience.
  •  Policy for Climate Security: Articulating the function of food systems in a climate crisis for the formulation of policies and frameworks. This research sphere aims to involve communities, civil society, and governing stakeholders across multiple levels of governance. The objective is to assess and enhance the consistency, integration, and efficacy of policies within the domains of climate-related concerns and security.
  •  Finance for Climate Security: Channeling finances by aligning objectives and incentives throughout the Humanitarian Development and Peace Nexus. This research category aims to identify and prioritize climate adaptation investments with significant peace potential, aligning the climate adaptation and peace and security objectives of governments and donors.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  •  Support the implementation of the Climate Resilience (ClimBer) and Fragility Conflict and Migration (FCM) research initiatives in Southern Africa.
  •  Assist in identifying, reaching out to, and engaging partners to ensure that the climate security agenda is embraced by local, subnational, and national agencies, platforms, and organizations in Southern Africa.
  •  Contribute to revising or enhancing national policies and plans by the Climate Security team to integrate climate security and gender considerations into national action plans.
  •  Contribute to the planning and execution of high-quality qualitative research on climate change, resilience, conflict, displacement, security, peacebuilding, and gender in Southern Africa.
  •  Aid in the development and publication of knowledge products (white papers, blog posts, peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, etc.) under the ClimBer and FCM initiatives.
  •  Disseminate research analyses, findings, and recommendations to diverse audiences.
  •  Participate in the development of research proposals for activities related to climate change, gender, inequality, peace, and security.
  •  Assist in expanding the reach of Climate Security research across the region by forging regional partnerships, overseeing and cultivating institutional relationships.
  •  Foster cross-collaboration within the flagship initiatives of the climate security nexus.
  •  Provide guidance and collaborate with junior researchers, research assistants, visiting researchers, and/or students.
  •  Aid in developing Climate Security innovations, such as refining guidelines to ensure that CGIAR's research and collaborative efforts are attuned to climate security concerns.
  •  Contribute to formulating a theoretical framework and associated methodology for evaluating the potential for peace within climate adaptation endeavors.
  •  Contribute to qualitative analyses concerning gender and displacement in climate security hotspots and corridors, with the aim of comprehending the drivers and consequences at destinations.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

  •  Master’s degree in sociology, anthropology, peace and conflict studies, gender studies, international relations, development economics, demography, or political science. A PhD will be an additional advantage.
  •  minimum of three years of experience as a researcher, involving the initiation and execution of independent research projects focused on climate-related security risks, as well as experience in supervising research assistants.
  •  Demonstrated experience in working within international, multicultural environments and engaging with researchers, policymakers, donors, and civil society across diverse contexts.
  •  Excellent track record of publications consistent with the duration of research experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  •  Substantial knowledge of subjects related to climate-related security risks, either broadly or in-depth within a specific sub-area (e.g., peace and conflict, development, migration, or organizational responses).
  •  Familiarity with gender studies, conflict and peace studies, gender and intersectional analysis, climate security, and specific areas of expertise connected to these domains.
  •  Sound understanding of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies.
  •  Understanding of the multilateral system, preferably including the United Nations, African Union, or the Regional Economic Communities within Africa.
  •  Proficiency in oral and written English, with additional language skills being advantageous.
  •  Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

BENEFITS

This is a nationally recruited position and only South African nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The successful candidate will be issued a contract by IWMI & the initial contract duration will be two years, with a probationary period of six (6) months. The contract may be renewed based on performance and the availability of funds.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. IWMI will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on September 07, 2023. Applications must include a cover letter illustrating suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, and skills, together with a detailed CV including three (3) references, which may be contacted if shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers its innovation, contributes to its excellence, and is critical for its mission. IWMI offers a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. IWMI is consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects its global character and its commitment to gender equity. It, therefore, encourages applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

On-site Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Closing date: September 07, 2023