Posting Title: CLIMATE-SECURITY CONSULTANT
Department/Office: SRSG for West Africa/United Nations Office in West Africa
Duty Station: DAKAR
Posting Period: 20 January 2021 - 29 January 2021
Job Opening Number: 21-United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel-148574-Consultant
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Result of Service
Expected outputs
Specific outputs will be determined jointly by the consultant, UNOWAS, the DPPA-DPO
Western Africa Division and the CSM within two months of commencing the consultancy.
Work Location
Dakar
Expected duration
12 months
Duties and
Responsibilities
The consultant will provide in-depth technical, advisory and partnership-building support for the implementation of UNOWAS' mandated activities on climate security and the mission's new Climate Security Project.
Given the constraints of COVID-19, including travel and movement restrictions in the mission area (Dakar, Senegal) and region of operation (West Africa/Sahel), the first stage of the consultancy (until December 2020) will likely focus on desk research and analysis and activities to support knowledge management. The expectation is that during the second stage of the consultancy (from January 2021), constraints and restrictions relating to COVID-19 will be reduced in Senegal and throughout the region, allowing for physical consultations with key partners and in-country missions and assessments.
Key tasks include: Knowledge management
Partnerships
Capacity building
Qualifications/special skills
Competency: Communication
Excellent report writing, editing and communication skills. 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; tailor's language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Professionalism
Demonstrates ability to complete studies on climate changes and propose solutions, provide technical support on the impact of climate change on security from a regional conflict prevention perspective, Shows good analytical skills. 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.
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.
Academic Qualifications: Advanced degree in environment, climate change, ecology-related studies or a related field.
Experience: Required:
Desirable:
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the post advertised, fluency in both languages, (both oral and written) is required
Additional Information
This consultancy is located in the Political Affairs Section of the United Nations Office for
West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), based in Dakar, Senegal. UNOWAS is a regional
Special Political Mission (SPM) with a mandate from the Security Council. As such, it works
to enhance the contribution of the United Nations in preventing conflict and sustaining peace
in West Africa and the Sahel, promoting an integrated regional approach to addressing the
impact and root causes of stability and conflict in the region. The consultant will support the
mission's efforts to analyze and address climate-related security risks in the sub-region, in
collaboration with the DPPA-DPO Western Africa Division and the Climate Security
Mechanism (CSM) at UN HQ in New York and other partners from across and beyond the
UN. The CSM is a joint initiative by DPPA, UNDP and UNEP and the work of UNOWAS on
climate security will feed into the global CSM portfolio.
On 31 January 2020, in renewing UNOWAS' mandate for three years until 31 January 2023
(S/2019/1009 and S/2020/85), the Council requested UNOWAS to "take into consideration
the adverse implication of climate change, energy poverty, ecological changes, and natural
disasters, among other factors, including by assisting the governments of the region and the
United Nations system in undertaking risk assessments and risk management strategies
relating to these factors." Yet, already in 2019, in response to requests from the Security
Council (S/PRST/2018/3; S/PRST/2018/16; S/PRST/2019/7), UNOWAS had begun to
address the impact of climate change on security in the region by conducting research and risk
assessments with a few UN Country Teams in the region. A partnership was also established
with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and consultations were
carried out with the World Bank, civil society and think tanks.
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a risk multiplier in the region. Extreme weather
events such as severe droughts, sandstorms, erratic rainfall and higher temperatures have
rendered populations more vulnerable. This is especially worrisome as over 70 percent of the
populations in West Africa and the Sahel depend on rain-fed agriculture and livestock rearing
for their livelihoods. The impact of climate change on their lives means greater food and
water insecurity, forced migration and loss of traditional income-generating activities, among
other challenges. The adverse effects of climate change therefore lead to greater competition
over natural resources. This can create tensions between ethnic groups and reinforce intercommunity
conflicts. In places that are already afflicted by instability and conflict, such as the
Sahel region, climate change is exacerbating conflict and violence. The spike in deadly
clashes between farmers and herders reflects this trend. Climate change also has a distinct
impact on women and gender inequality in settings that are affected by violent conflicts and
political instability, such as in West Africa and the Sahel.
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.
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This vacancy is archived.