DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IMPLEMENTATION (DEPI) Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch JPO Job Description 1. General information Functional Title: Post: Unit: Project: Location: Duration: Division: Junior Professional Officer Associate Officer, P-2 (Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding) Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding Geneva Initially 2 years, renewable for one year subject to funding Division of Environmental Policy Implementation 2. Background UNEP s Medium Term Strategy (MTS) provides the vision and direction for all UNEP activities for the period 2014-2017. The MTS identifies six thematic priority areas that UNEP will focus its efforts in delivering on its mandate through exercising environmental leadership. These are Climate Change, Disasters and Conflicts, Ecosystem Management, Environmental Governance, Hazardous Substances and Resource Efficiency. The MTS seeks to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension and sustainable development within the UN System. Regarding the environmental dimensions of disasters and conflicts, the MTS seeks to enhance the capacity of Member States for environmental management in order to contribute to natural and man-made disaster risk reduction and conflict prevention. UNEP s Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding programme was established to specifically address challenges and risks linked to natural resources in fragile states and postconflict countries. The overall aim of the Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding project is to strengthen the capacity of fragile States, regional organizations, UN agencies and civil society to assess and formulate policies and programmes to address the conflict risks and peacebuilding opportunities presented by natural resources across the spectrum of peace and security strategies and programmes. This is to be achieved through five main outputs: 1. Field-level assessments on conflict risks and peacebuilding opportunities from natural resources in fragile States: 2. Joint programming and catalytic activities for addressing natural resource risks and opportunities in conflict prevention and peacebuilding plans: 3. Greening UN peace operations to increase resource-efficiency and minimize impacts on natural resources and the environment: 4. Environmental diplomacy and mediation support to reduce tensions and increase cooperation over natural resources: 5. Evidence-based policy reports, guidelines, knowledge products and training modules on natural resources, conflict prevention, peacebuilding and state-building: 1
3. Justification for Application for a JPO Through ECP Phases I and II, UNEP catalysed a number of policy reports, partnerships and programmes to address natural resources, conflict and peacebuilding challenges. A JPO is needed to assist in the implementation of these processes during Phase III of the ECP programme. In particular, the following activities: 1. UNDG-ECHA Guidance Note, Natural resource management in transition settings (2013). In an effort to ensure that the various knowledge products and guidance notes produced by UNEP/ECP and partners achieved visibility and global dissemination, a task team was established by UNEP within the framework of the Working Group on Transitions, co-chaired by the UN Development Group (UNDG) and the Executive Committee of Humanitarian Affairs (ECHA). The aim was to develop an overarching UN wide guidance note on natural resources in post-conflict peacebuilding. The guidance note would aim to help UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and UN Missions understand the negative and positive roles that natural resources can play in peace consolidation. It provides practical guidance to assist in thinking through how natural resource management principles and practices can feed into UN transitional analysis and planning frameworks. It also highlights the new resources and lessons learned available to UNCT s including the UNEP policy reports, books and the guidance notes from the EU-UN partnership. The UNDG-ECHA Guidance Note was released in January 2013 following endorsement by 38 different UN entities. It has been formally disseminated to country teams in countries in transition by UNDG and ECHA. 2. Global Research Programme on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding and Natural Resources: The Environmental Law Institute (ELI), UNEP/ECP and the Universities of Tokyo and McGill initiated a global research programme to collect lessons learned and good practices on managing natural resources during post-conflict peacebuilding. This four-year research project has yielded more than 150 peer-reviewed case studies and analyses by over 230 scholars, practitioners, and decision makers from 55 countries. These case studies and analyses have been assembled into a set of six edited books, each focusing on a specific aspect of post-conflict peacebuilding. In their diversity and number, the books represent the most significant collection to date of experiences, analyses, and lessons in managing natural resources to support post-conflict peacebuilding. 3. EU-UN Partnership on Land and Natural Resources Conflicts: Seven United Nations agencies and departments (UNEP, UNDP, UNHABITAT, PBSO, DPA, IOM and DESA), coordinated by the UN Framework Team for Preventive Action, have partnered with the European Union (EU) to help countries identify, prevent or transform tensions over natural resource as part of conflict prevention and peacebuilding programmes. The outcome of Phase I was a series of Guidance Notes and training manuals on Land and conflict, Extractive industries and conflict, Renewable resources and conflict, Strengthening capacity, and Conflict Prevention in Resource-Rich Economies. Phase II of the partnership focused on pilot testing the guidance notes at the field level and further refining the guidance and operational capacity. Phase III of the partnership focuses on building the capacity of civil society in the Great Lakes region to engage in resource governance and conflict prevention actions linked to natural resources. UNEP/ECP is one of the key founding agencies of the partnership and plays a key role in the implementation of all activities. 4. Five Year Technical Cooperation Framework on Greening the Blue Helmets: As a direct follow-up to Greening the Blue Helmets report, UNEP, DFS and DPKO have developed a five year technical cooperation framework aimed at assisting DFS/DPKO in the systematic and full implementation of their Environmental Policy by 2018. This goal is to be achieved through a series of projects grouped around the following key areas: a) technical support; b) pilot testing of equipment and practices; c) knowledge and training; d) monitoring and compliance; and e) communication and advocacy. The 2
total cost of the framework is USD 5 million, to be raised in a joint effort by DFS/DPKO and UNEP. The framework, which builds on over eight years of cooperation, has been agreed at the working level and has received full support from the Under-Secretary- Generals of UNEP, DFS and DPKO at a meeting in New York on 20 September 2012. The framework is yet to become fully operational, subject to funding and official approval by the UN Office of Legal Affairs. Once operational, the framework promises to yield significant cost savings, potentially in excess of its operational cost, through implementation of energy, fuel and water efficiency measures. 5. Partnership on the Good Governance of Natural Resources in Fragile States: Since September 2012, UNEP and the World Bank have been discussing opportunities to establish a new partnership focusing on good governance of natural resources in fragile states. Two concrete measures were taken by the organizations to advance such a partnership during the reporting period. First, the World Bank s Global Center on Conflict, Security and Development (CCSD) and UNEP/ECP held a joint public seminar on 31 January 2013 at UNEP HQ in Nairobi to share lessons learned and present the latest knowledge and practice on conflict mitigation linked to natural resources in fragile states. Second, UNEP/ECP and WB/CCSD agreed to partner in a pilot project to map high value natural resources in 10 fragile states as part of joint support to the G7+ group of fragile states. UNEP would like to assess the feasibility of the mapping platform in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. 6. Partnership on Women and Natural Resources in Peacebuilding: The partnership between UNEP/ECP, UN Women, the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and UNDP aims to analyze the relationship between women and natural resources in the context of conflict and peacebuilding. This partnership, which was formulated to raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and advance the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325, culminated in a joint policy report exploring how natural resource can provide an entrypoint for enhancing women s participation and economic empowerment while increasing their protection during resource use. The joint report was launched in November 2013, and a Phase II of the partnership is now under consideration. 7. Joint Initiative on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Natural Resource Management (NRM): UNEP/ECP and UNDP/BCPR established a joint initiative on DDR and NRM that aims to clarify linkages between reintegration and natural resources and to identify opportunities that could contribute to more sustainable and effective DDR programmes. Based on the partnership, a joint policy report has been drafted, the UN Integrated DDR standards have been updated with a natural resource module and an Operational Guidance module. In addition, field level cooperation opportunities have been identified. In particular, UNDP-UNEP are exploring opportunities to cooperate in Sudan based on the outcomes of a joint field mission in March 2013. 8. Environmental diplomacy and mediation support: UNEP has partnered with the UN Department of Political Affairs to document lessons learned in the mediation and resolution of natural resources conflicts. The joint publication Mediating Natural Resource Conflicts provides concrete guidance on conflict mediation and resolution approaches for the extractive industries, land and water. UNEP also offers impartial environmental diplomacy and mediation support to address conflict risks and cooperation opportunities linked to trans-boundary natural resources as well as contested high value resources at the sight specific level. In 2014 and 2015, additional work will be required to operationalize this partnership and to disseminate the guidance note. 3
4. Supervision Under the overall guidance of the Chief of UNEP s Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch (PCDMB), the Head of Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding (ECP) programme will provide the day-to-day supervision of the incumbent. To further guide the JPO, a performance appraisal system will be developed with concrete goals and actions. The Head of the ECP Programme will conduct an induction which includes a formal brief on the organization, the staff in the Division and the functions of and Programme of UNEP ECP. During the first 3 months the JPO will: (1) be given reading materials to acquaint him/herself of UNEP s ECP activities together with those of PCDMB; (ii) collect information on natural resources, conflict and peacebuilding from literature and internet sources; (iii) visit other UNEP programmes located in Geneva such as Green Economy; and (iv) be involved in the development and implementation of existing ECP programmes. The JPO will be guided in the planning, development and implementation of project proposals linked to ECP. The JPO will consult on policy and related issues when the need arises. Title Supervisor: Unit Supervisor: Head of Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding David Jensen 1 st Approving Officer: David Jensen 2 nd Approving Officer: Henrik Slotte Chief, Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch 5. Duties, Responsibilities and output expectation Under the general supervision of the Director/Deputy Director, DEPI and the day to day supervision of the Head of ECP, the incumbent will perform the following duties: 5.1 Technical Support (40%) a) Develop a series of policy briefs, powerpoint presentations and training materials based on the case studies generated by the UNEP/ELI Global Research Programme on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding and Natural Resources; b) Contribute to the implementation of Phase III of the EU-UN Partnership on Land and Natural Resources Conflicts in the Great Lakes Region. Assist in the design of Phase IV of the partnership; c) Assist in the coordination and development of the Geo-mapping of resource concession boundaries in fragile States as part of the UNEP-World Bank Partnership on Natural Resources in Fragile States; d) Participate in field missions as required to fragile states to support senior experts and be responsible for the management of field data and reporting; e) Provide support to the implementation of joint training programmes and joint policy reports, both internally within UNEP as well as externally through strategic partnerships, such as the EU-UN Partnership on Land and Natural Resource Conflicts, UNITAR, the UN Staff College, DPA, UNDP, UN-WOMEN, Habitat, and the World Bank; f) Assist in the conceptual development of new programmes offered by PCDMB to fragile states (e.g. environmental safeguards for the oil and gas sector, sustainable energy, conflict resolution, etc) 4
5.2 Research and Reporting (30%) a) Conduct desk based research on risks and opportunities from natural resources in fragile states. This can include: a) assessing the legal, institutional and governance requirements needed for good resource governance across the resource value chain; b) identify the legal and political reforms to support equitable resource management and benefit sharing for government, private sector and communities; c) determine capacity needs of all major stakeholders (Government, investor and communities); d) identify opportunities for southsouth cooperation and alignment to global good governance norms, including EITI, FLEGT, Kimberly Process and the Natural resources charter; b) Keep updated on new research publications and policy reports addressing natural resources, conflict and peacebuilding. Also continue to follow political and research developments linked to climate change and security; c) Ensure timely reporting on ECP activities (both internally and to donors) by assisting in the coordination of inputs, preparation, coordination and revision of the components of relevant reports and ensuring verification of consistency, accuracy, and currency; d) Develop and/or review training modules, methodology, tools and learning support materials on ECP themes; e) Provide research support on an on-going basis to various policy and interagency processes as requested, including the Security Council, General Assembly, Busan New Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals. 5.3 Communications and outreach (20%) a) Develop project proposals in line with the UNEP ECP strategy and work programme for further refinement and resource mobilization; b) Liaise with partner institutions in implementing joint events and reports; c) Provide support to inter-agency consultations, joint training programmes both internally within UNEP and externally with partners; d) Maintain roster of ECP experts globally; e) Manage the technical content of the ECP website and ensure ECP outputs are embedded within the websites of partners. f) Support the development of the Knowledge Platform and Community of Practice on Environmental Peacebuilding (www.environmentpeacebuilding.org) 5.4 Routine Management and Administration (10%) a) Assist the head of ECP in the day to day implementation of the work programme; b) Take weekly minutes of PCDMB staff meetings, and other meetings as requested; c) Any other tasks as requested by the Chief of PCDMB or head of ECP. 6. Training and Learning Elements Within the budget of the post the JPO will draw up an appropriate professional development programme in consultation with the supervisors at the beginning of the assignment. The JPO is expected to attend at least one such training per year. This programme will be revised on 5
regular basis as need arises to supplement knowledge and skills for the effective performance of the duties and responsibilities within the budget of the post. By the end of one year the JPO should have obtained a good understanding of the programme planning cycle, project formulation and reporting as evidenced by ability to draft annual programme of work and project concepts in the areas of ECP focus; and an understanding of the UN and UNEP format of drafting and reporting documents By the end of two years the JPO should be able to: a) Independently design, develop and deliver a desk study on risks and opportunities from natural resources in fragile states, including the design of a field verification mission b) Independently design, develop and deliver policy briefs for decision makings on thematic topics addressed by ECP c) Conduct inter-agency consultations on joint training programmes and policy reports d) Support the delivery of training programmes to international experts on the good governance of natural resources in fragile states e) Support senior experts in the implementation of field missions f) Draft project concepts that can support the mobilization of financial resources By the end of three years the incumbent should be able to independently function as a professional in the field of addressing the good governance of natural resources in fragile states and be ready for similar appointments in the UN system and other organizations of international repute. 7. Qualification of the Candidate and competences The candidate should have: a) A post graduate degree in the social or environmental sciences, preferably with exposure to resource governance, resource economics, or peace and conflict; b) At least 2 years post-graduation experience, preferably at the field level. Experience in fragile states or peacebuilding will be an added advantage; c) Good knowledge and understanding of the risks and opportunities from natural resources, and principles for good resource governance; d) Good IT background with knowledge of computer packages including internet and instructional software; e) Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to technical cooperation projects; f) Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; g) Familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources; h) Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; i) Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field; j) Excellent communications (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style. Experience in the delivery of training programmes will be an added advantage. k) Teamwork Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity 6
l) Ability to identify and address relevant gender perspectives in substantive work m) Fluency in English language. Knowledge of French will be added advantage. 7