West Africa: Environmental Security Advisor

Jan 5, 2021 | UN Environment Programme
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The United Nations Environment Programme is responsible for coordinating the UN's environmental activities and assisting developing countries in having environmentally sound policies and practices.

UNEP-led components of environmental security projects in West Africa are delivered to the satisfaction of partners and stakeholders, and according to their respective workplans.

The consultancy will have a duration of 12 months, covering the period from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022 (with a possibility of extension).

Duties and Responsibilities

An Advisor is required to support the coordination and delivery of UNEP-led processes and projects on environmental security in West Africa, in collaboration with partner organizations. The consultant will support the following three initiatives:

1. Côte d’Ivoire

• Provide substantive and operational support to the implementation of project activities assigned to UNEP within a PBF-funded project in Côte d’Ivoire, in collaboration with FAO and IOM, and drawing on in-house expertise and capacities as well as external implementing partners.
• Support the identification, selection and oversight of external implementing partners for the project, as well as individual experts and consultants, including contracting and legal agreements.
• Support monitoring, progress reporting and evaluation of results and impacts of UNEP project activities to the PBF, in collaboration with project partners.
• Support timely and accurate financial reporting, as well as financial oversight functions.
• Facilitate training and community-level dialogue.
• Participate in or lead field missions.
• Provide substantive support to consultative and other meeting with key stakeholders, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.

2. Mali

• Support the coordination of UNEP’s guidance to the integrated environmental assessment process in Mali, including by supporting project mobilization, participating in project team meetings and facilitating timely UNEP inputs to the process.
• Provide technical inputs to the assessment process, including through the review of the assessment report, and the drafting of policy recommendations based on the assessment findings;
• Facilitate inputs from external implementing partners, individual experts and consultants under UNEP’s purview, including by supporting contracting and legal agreements.
• Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings with key stakeholders, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Participate in field missions.
• Contribute to progress reporting and evaluation of results.
• Support timely and accurate financial reporting, as well as financial oversight functions.

3. Regional analysis of environment- and climate-related risks and response plans

• Work with UNEP and UN colleagues to inform the development of UN climate-related security risk assessments, management strategies, and environmental programming, drawing on the findings of UNEP work and partnerships in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in environmental science, sustainable development, rural development, agronomy or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with five (5) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in multi-partner project management and policy advice related to environment and sustainable development, rural development, or climate change adaptation is required.
• Direct experience with natural resource management projects is required.
• Experience in conflict prevention and peacebuilding projects, including projects supporting social cohesion, dialogue and trust-building considered a strong asset.
• Solid understanding and experience of challenges and best practice approaches to artisanal and small-scale mining (gold) considered a strong asset.
• Experience with leading, coordinating or conducting environmental assessments considered a strong asset.
• At least 3 years of relevant international work experience is required, with prior UN or IGO experience considered a strong asset.
• Language: • Fluency in spoken and written French is required, including the ability to draft written reports, develop and deliver presentations and contribute to communications materials.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Additional Information

Applications (cover letters and PHPs) will be accepted in English and in French.