Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the DSRSG-D/RC/HC, within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), duty station Geneva. The incumbent will report directly to the Principal Coordination Officer. The Climate, Peace and Security Advisor (CPSA) will support UNAMA leadership, particularly the DSRSG-D/RC/HC, and the Climate, Peace and Security Unit within the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)’s Policy and Mediation Division, in responding to emerging priorities and vulnerabilities related to climate change, environmental shocks, and natural resource management and impacts on peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

Responsibilities

Provide up-to-date analysis to UNAMA leadership and relevant UN offices on the interlinkages between climate change, peace, and security in Afghanistan and the region and their implications for the strategic objectives of UNAMA and relevant UN offices.

Promote coherence and integration among the Mission and relevant UN entities on climate, peace and security issues, assisting leadership in developing a common vision, objectives, and evidence-based programming.
Lead on the mainstreaming of climate-related peace and security risks into the policies, strategies, planning, and activities of UNAMA and relevant UN offices.
Enhance engagement and confidence-building measures on climate, peace and security with all relevant Afghan stakeholders, including the de facto authorities (DFA), civil society, regional actors, and the broader international community.
Support the Resident Coordinator’s Office on the integration of climate, peace and security issues into aid coordination efforts, particularly related to the work of the UNCT, the Climate, Water and Environment Task Force and the Afghanistan Water Platform.
In collaboration with relevant UN entities, identify funding gaps related to climate, environment, peace, and security issues in Afghanistan and the region and support the development of proposals for programming.
Collaborate with entities from across the UN system and other partners to identify opportunities for climate finance to support peacemaking and peacebuilding activities in Afghanistan and the region, as appropriate.
Engage relevant environmental non-governmental organizations, civil society, as well as Afghan, regional, and international stakeholders, to promote regional dialogue, technical cooperation, capacity building, and advocacy on climate, peace and security issues.
Serve as UNAMA’s focal point on climate, peace, and security, including by enhancing early warning of related risks, collecting and sharing good practices, and strengthening collaboration with the UNCT, UNRCCA, Climate Security Mechanism, regional Resident Coordinator’s Offices, and others.
Contribute to preparing strategies, reports and other research activities related to climate, peace and security in Afghanistan and the region, including Central Asia and South Asia.
Support DPPA PMD’s Climate Security Unit and the Climate Security Mechanisms with climate, peace and security efforts in Central and South Asia, as required and in coordination with UNRCCA and relevant Resident Coordinator’s Offices.
Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to political problems in specific areas and/or countries. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
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.
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.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree, or equivalent) in climate, environment, peace and conflict studies, security, political science, international relations, political economy, or related fields is required. A first-level degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of climate, peace and security, climate change, environmental governance, political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, law, conflict prevention and peacebuilding,, peace and security, conflict resolution, development, or related areas is required. Extensive analytical and reporting experience on the interplay between political, security, economic, and environmental issues is required. Experience working in the areas of climate, peace and security is required. At least three years of experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization on political and climate issues in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Experience drafting analytical reports for senior leadership under time constraints and in crisis settings is required. Experience in or on Afghanistan or the region is required. Experience conducting research in a field setting is desired. Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy, and inter-governmental experience and track record of engagement with senior officials in the UN, government, and external partners is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER/Climate, Peace and Security Advisor