ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DESERTIFICATION CONTROL

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa's rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a New Partnership Worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve the above objectives, the African Union seeks to fill the vacant position of the Climate Change and Desertification Unit in the Directorate of Rural Economy and Agriculture to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Climate change is having adverse effects in Africa ranging from declining water resources, reduced agricultural productivity, spread of vector-borne diseases to new areas, drop in fish population and increased flooding and heavier rainfall among others. Climate variability lies behind much prevailing poverty, food insecurity, and weak economic growth in Africa. The official goals of the climate change convention

“are to stabilize the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous man-made climate changes. Climate Change and Development was the sub – theme of the January 2007 Summit held in Addis Ababa. Following the Summit deliberations, the Commission became increasingly involved in the global climate change talks and negotiations considering the vital stakes Africa has in these dialogues; the Commission continues to steer efforts of AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities as well as other stakeholders in dealing with multiple challenges including climate change by engaging both regional and global partners in promoting and defending the continent’s interest.

A landmark Summit Decision was adopted in January 2009, which mandated the AU Commission among other things to facilitate the building of a common Africa Position in preparations for the Fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP15) in Denmark, Copenhagen in December 2009. Subsequently, the July 2009 Summit in Sirte, Libya adopted the recommendation of the decision of thee Executive Committee EX.CL/Dec.500 (XV) Rev. 1 on the establishment of the Climate Change and Desertification Control Unit in the Directorate of Rural Economy and Agriculture.

1.            Post

Post title:        Environmental  Economist,  Climate  Change  and

Desertification Control

Post level:   P2

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2.            Major duties and responsibilities

Specifically, the Job holder shall perform the following tasks:

  

·         Assist in generating economics-based analysis to address climate change and desertification challenges through sustainable management of natural resources;

·         Provide economic analysis and natural resource policy advise in areas such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, desertification, forestry and water;

·         Support the formulation of strategic policy design on valuation of natural resources and their contribution to sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation;

·         Assist in the preparation of presentations to communicate economic and environmental cost benefit analysis to inform natural resource policies and strategies;

·         Assist in developing systems for collecting, analyzing and interpreting environmental and economic data for Natural Resource Accounting;

·         Support the development of programmes or policy to promote sustainability and sustainable development.

·         Assist in preparation of reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit, in consultation with the Coordinator of the Unit;

·         Assist in formulation of appropriate strategies, policies and plans of action related to climate change in Africa;

·         Build awareness on climate change and desertification control issues in Africa and support project implementation on adaptation and mitigation actions;

·         Promote and support the development of African common positions on climate change;

·         Liaises with Member States, RECs, and relevant Stakeholders including International Organizations, Development Partners on issues of climate change and desertification control;

·         Ensure Policy harmonization on climate change and desertification control and various positions on key issues under negotiations in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) processes;

·         Assist in the coordination of various efforts on climate change and desertification, ensuring linkages and synergies with complementarities of different initiatives, sectors and collaborations;

·         Ensure better coordination and implementation at continental and regional levels;

·         Promote the publication of simplified guidelines and fact sheets on the scientific political and economic aspects of climate change on Africa;

·         Organise and service workshops, meetings, conferences, seminars on climate change and desertification etc.

·         Support production and submission of periodic reports of activities of the Unit;

·         Support the Commission in its coordination efforts of global climate change talks and negotiations; and

·         Undertake any other duties assigned on climate change and desertification control.

3.            Educational Qualifications:

·         Candidates  must  have  at  least  a  Master’s  degree  in  Environmental

Economics, or Natural Resource Economics, or Master’s Degree in Economics with a thesis on natural resource economics

·         A qualification in project management and negotiation skills (recognised diploma or certificate) would be an added advantage.

4.            Work Experience:

·         Candidates must have at least five (5) years of appropriate experience and knowledge of environmental policy within climate change, desertification and natural resources

·         The ideal candidate will have a research and policy background in the field of economics and its application to a wide range of environmental areas such as natural resource management,

·         Qualitative and analytical skills in the use of environmental valuation techniques

·         Experience with international, regional and national policy processes related to environment, climate change and desertification or land degradation.

·         Knowledge of the regional and global climate change, desertification and disaster risk reduction processes would be an asset with a track record of diplomatic negotiations.

5.            Other relevant skills

·         Strong experience in public sector with related experience dealing with private sector and civil society bodies.

·         Familiarity with international and regional policy processes related to climate change and desertification.

·         Computer literacy.

·         Working knowledge of policy analysis and development and programme/project management, implementation and monitoring.

·         Management experience, excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment.

·         Excellent drafting and reporting skills.

·         Good planning and organizational skills.

·         Conscientious and efficient in observing deadlines and achieving results.

·         Takes accountability for goals and challenges.

·         Effective and distinct communication ability with excellent written and verbal communications skills.

·         Ability to defend, explain with tact and diplomacy difficult positions addressing key policy issues.

·         Ability to work under pressure and collaboratively with and to establish and

maintain   effective   working   relationships   with   colleagues   of   different

nationalities and culture backgrounds, in order to achieve organizational goals.

·         Track record of excellent time management and ability to meet tight deadlines.

6.  LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

7. AGE REQUIREMENT:

Candidates must preferably be between 25 and 35 years old.

8. TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of One (1) years, of which the first twelve months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a annually subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability.

9.            REMUNERATION: The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 72,033.93 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and

US$ 60,430.34 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website  http://www.aucareers.org not later than 1^st July 2013.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management

African Union Commission

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)