Job Description
Senior Climate Change Specialist, Addis Ababa
UNDP Ethiopia Country Office UN ECA Campus Africa Hall Building
Job Title
Senior Climate Change Specialist, P5
Department/ Office
Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station
ADDIS ABABA
Job Opening number
12-ECO-ECA-22119-R-ADDIS ABABA (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Under the overall guidance of the Director of Food Security and Sustainable Development Division (FSSDD) and the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), the incumbent performs the following duties;
Responsibilities
Provides effective leadership, functional and technical advice on climate science and climate change; Leads analytical studies and policy analysis in a wide range of issues relevant to climate science and climate change in Africa, including the development of climate data and information system, climate modeling and analysis and climate change scenarios and analysis; Leads the climate science and climate change projections with specific reference to Africa; Leads studies on the data and information needs to enhance coverage and estimates the costs; Leads the process of collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, packaging and disseminating data and information on climate science for effective utilization by end-users; Ensures that the climate science, projections and applications in Africa are in accordance with advancement in science through collaboration and synergizing efforts with pertinent cutting edge scientific institutions, global and regional organizations in climate science and climate change; Leads the production of reports, other publications and resources on climate change and science in Africa; Undertakes analytical studies on climate change relevant to climate change negotiations and advices African climate change negotiators and policy makers on the same; Builds on and develop climate science networks across Africa; Contributes to integrating climate change science perspectives into ACPC programmes, projects and activities; Contributes to the preparation of the analytical content of ACPC publications, reports and studies, in close collaboration with other ACPC discipline specialists; Works effectively with other ACPC discipline specialists and staff of ECA to assess the interactions between climate change and other sectors in order to mitigate negative interactions and harness synergies; Establishes communities of practice and promotes knowledge networking on climate change science; Identifies and disseminates best practices relevant to climate change science; Delivers training and capacity-building programmes for planners, policy makers and other stakeholders in climate science and change; Plans and co-ordinates seminars, workshops and expert meetings; Assists member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other regional organizations in building consensus and articulating common positions and strategies on climate change issues; Liaises and collaborates with other ECA Divisions, sub-regional offices, and external partners in addressing climate sciences; Fosters regional integration and harmonization of policies, laws, regulations, codes, standards and practices on climate sciences; Supports regional networks of institutions and experts and delivers advisory services to member States, African regional and sub-regional organizations and institutions, climate prediction center on climate science and climate change policy issues; Ensures that undertakings and interventions are in line with the general directions of UN-ECA, AUC and AMCEN provisions and programmes; and Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: In-depth knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, approaches and practices relevant to policy analysis and programme management as they relate to climate science; Familiarity with a wide range of climatic data sets, observational techniques and state-of-the-art climate models is essential; Good grasp of climate change and socio-economic, livelihood and ecosystem interactions; Strong analytical and modeling skills; Experienced in modeling climate; Demonstrated ability to prepare project documents and funding proposals ensuring that the quality of the project design and their implementation meets all partners' expectations; Practical experience in programme/project development, management, monitoring and evaluation; Excellent analytical skills and problem identification and solving skills; Ability and analytical capacity to translating global models to regional/local levels; Skills in inter linkages approaches for managing connectivity between climate science and climate change to various sectors for sustainable development are required. Familiarity with regional climate issues across Africa. Knowledge of regional institutions (e.g., ACMAD, AGRHYMET, DMC, etc.) and familiarity with the major activities of the WMO in Africa and the IPCC process and its reports. Proven ability to effectively communicate climate science research, findings, and reports to non-climate specialists.
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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
PLANNING AND 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.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
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 improvement; 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"
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in climate science such as atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, oceanography is required. A PhD is desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years progressively responsible experience in the climate sciences at regional or country level or highly reputable academic institutions in the context of Africa is required. Experience working in a multi-disciplinary, climate-related setting and/or directly with organizations, institutions, or specific climate-sensitive sectors (agriculture, water resources, health, etc.) that make use of climate information, seasonal forecasts, or climate projections (e.g., in crafting policy or decision-making) is required.
Languages
Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage
Assessment Method
Competency based interview and other assessment method.
Special Notice
- Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
- Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
No Fee
AJS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND AJS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
SOME EMPLOYERS MAY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR APPLICATION.
