United Nations – UN-Secretariat

Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-1-03

TERMS OF REFERENCE

I. General Information

Title: JPO in Climate, Peace and Security

Sector of Assignment: Political Affairs

Organization/Office: United Nations / Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) / United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)

Country and Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree).

II. Supervision

Direct Supervision by:

Head of Research, Analysis and Planning (RAP)Unit/Senior Political Affairs Officer at UNOWAS.

Content and methodology of supervision:

Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will receive briefings from other sections and work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor.

Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the JPO’s performance.

The JPO will receive an introduction to the Mission’s work on climate, peace and security as well as the work of the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) . This will include an orientation on the overall work of the mission he/she is deployed in and of CSM activities and priorities.

The JPO will regularly discuss and evaluate her/his performance with the supervisor in light of a previously established e-performance document. This will include guidance on the development of a workplan and learning objectives, assessment of accomplishments, and discussion of job-satisfaction. Guidance and feedback will be provided by the supervisor on a regular basis. The incumbent is expected to carry out the duties under general supervision and to consult with the supervisor on issues of policy or other sensitive matters.

III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations

Under the overall supervision of the Climate, Peace and Security Advisor, the JPO in Climate, Peace and Security will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contribute to the analysis and advice to the mission, entity, and other partners on the interlinkages between climate, peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel and the integration of climate considerations in prevention, peacemaking, and/or peacebuilding strategies, while also ensuring that peace and security dimensions are effectively incorporated into climate policies.
   
• Collaborate with climate-security practitioners and researchers examining the intersection of peace and security with climate and other environmental factors, including implications for the work of the UN system.
   
• Facilitate the planning and delivery of capacity building and awareness raising events for UN staff and other partners on climate, peace and security.
   
• Contribute to the CPS-related missions to countries, regions and organizations within assigned area of responsibility and assist in the preparation of report and mission summary.
   
• Promote the integration of a gender- and youth- responsive lens across different climate, peace and security initiatives.
   
• Assist in preparing background material, briefings and analytical notes, talking points, code cables, confidential official communications and other correspondence.
   
• Support the resource mobilization efforts of the mission in relation to CPS activities.
   
• Contribute to developing and strengthening national and regional partnerships around CPS.
   
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Climate, Peace and Security Advisor.

IV. Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in international relations, political science, anthropology, development, environment and area studies or related fields. A keen interest in the work of the United Nations in general and of climate change issues in particular, and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.

Work experience:

A minimum of 2 years at the international level (or at least 4 years at the national level) in peace, security and climate change or related fields is required. Prior experience at the international level and familiarity with development, environmental programming and/or fragility, conflict prevention and peacebuilding work within the broader peace and security agenda is an advantage.

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an

UN competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: 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.

COMMUNICATION: 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 the 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.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; Shows willingness to learn from others; Seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Workforce Diversity

The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds, to apply.

V. Learning Elements

On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to…

• Develop integrated approaches to analyze and assess climate-related security risks and understand their implications for the work of the Climate Security Mechanism and the broader UN system.
   
• Provide technical support to field missions, CPS Advisors, Peace and Development Advisers and other partners in the development and implementation of risk prevention and management strategies.
   
• Draft reports, briefing materials, project documents and correspondence according to standards required by the Climate Security Mechanism and consistent with UN style format and protocol.
   

On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have an:

• Improved research, drafting, and coordination skills;
   
• Increased understanding of multi-stakeholder processes and high-level engagements;
   
• Ability to assess the impact and implications of climate-related issues on regional, national and local political and security developments;
   
• In-depth understanding of climate-sensitive conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding resolution.

VI. Background Information

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) is the lead entity supporting the Secretary- General in the UN’s efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts. It monitors and assesses global political developments with an eye to detecting potential crises before they erupt and devising effective responses. In recent years, the linkages between climate change, prevention and sustaining peace have become a key consideration for DPPA. This is reflected in the Department’s strategic plan 2023-2026 and in growing efforts to support special political missions. Its support to deployed UN Climate, Peace and Security Advisors, Peace and Development Advisers and other field actors in this area.

In 2018, DPPA, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) jointly formed the “Climate Security Mechanism” (CSM). The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) joined in 2021. The Mechanism currently consists of one professional staff each in DPPA, UNDP, DPO and UNEP, a small secretariat, and a select number of JPOs. The CSM seeks to strengthen UN capacity to address the linkages between climate change, peace and security through better risk assessments, the development of risk prevention and management strategies, advocacy and knowledge management, and targeted capacity building. In practice, this contains a range of activities at the policy and operational levels, carried out in collaboration and coordination with experts from across and beyond the UN system. This includes the deployment and backstopping of Climate, Peace and Security Advisors and Experts, provision of technical advice to UN field missions and Peace and Development Advisors and efforts to integrate climate analysis into mandated reporting to UN bodies. The CSM developed a toolbox and conceptual approach for climate- related security risk assessments that are being rolled out for field implementation in select regions and countries. Given the complexities of the climate, peace and security agenda and its cross-cutting nature, partnerships are critical for the CSM. The CSM works closely with entities from across the UN system, regional organizations, researchers and civil society to exchange good practices and share experiences. As demand for technical support and partnerships is growing, the CSM is expanding its capacity to analyze and address climate-related security risks around the world.

Bitte senden Sie Ihre JPO-Bewerbung direkt an das Büro Führungskräfte zu Internationalen Organisationen (BFIO) unter Angabe der Chiffre Nr. 2026-1-03 auf dem Bewerbungsbogen

Alle Informationen finden Sie unter www.bfio.de