Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – (PSA3/4)

United Nations University

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS):

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS):

UNU-EHS, established in December 2003, is part of the UNU system, a worldwide network of Research and Training Institutes. Its mission is to advance human security through knowledge-based approaches to reducing vulnerability and environmental risks. For more information, please visit www.ehs.unu.edu.

Eurac Research is located in the hearts of the Alps in the multilingual region of South Tyrol, Italy. Eurac has been established as a private, non-profit, interdisciplinary research center in Bolzano in 1992. With 16 centres and institutes, Eurac Research provides expertise and develops practical solutions in the fields of environment, migration, minority rights, medicine, energy, and innovative technologies. Eurac contributes to healthy societies, fosters the development particularly of mountain regions as well as the livelihood of their communities, and supports the management of social, cultural and ecological diversity.

UNU-EHS and Eurac Research initiated a joint research programme that started in 2019. The GLOBAL MOUNTAIN SAFEGUARD RESEARCH (GLOMOS) programme combines the scientific profiles and capacities of both institutions involved and envisions the enhancement of disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), emergency response preparedness (ERP), and sustainable development in global mountain regions. GLOMOS seeks to increase the resilience of mountain communities towards natural and man-made hazards and disaster risks, to protect the wealth of biological and cultural diversity, and to support the sustainable development of these highly sensitive social-ecological systems. The GLOMOS mission is to turn science into action by strengthening solution-oriented and innovative management of disaster risks in mountains through an integrative approach fostering transdisciplinary research and technology transfer. The GLOMOS programme bridges between science and global conventions: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), the Paris Climate Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS / Vice-Rector in Europe and the supervision of the Head of the GLOMOS Bonn office, the successful candidate will be entrusted with predominantly academic/scientific tasks, including some administrative activities as following:

1. Research & Project acquisition:

  • Independent design and implementation of scientific projects and research activities within the scope of the GLOMOS programme and with support of the GLOMOS team;
  • Provision of strategic and scientific support to further develop the GLOMOS research profile together with the GLOMOS team;
  • Support to ongoing GLOMOS research activities, in particular in southern Africa;
  • Publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals**, scientific books, practice/policy-oriented knowledge products etc., together with GLOMOS staff and other researchers at UNU-EHS and beyond;**
  • Co-leading project acquisition activities for the GLOMOS programme;
  • Support the communication and dissemination of GLOMOS activities and project results including the provision of web-content;

2. Programme support and networking:

  • Support the planning, organization and documentation of GLOMOS events, conferences, and strategic meetings;
  • Promote, strengthen and further develop networking activities to establish scientific partnerships with relevant institutions at all levels; maintain and further develop existing cooperation with UN agencies, international mountain research networks, the University of Bonn, and other external partners;
  • Support the continuous monitoring of GLOMOS activities and preparation of annual reports for both institutions (Eurac and UNU-EHS);
  • Support the input and processing of travel requests in close collaboration with the GLOMOS office in Bolzano and the finance and administration unit at UNU-EHS.

3. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

  • The TOR above is primarily for Senior Research Associate. Incase the position was offered as Research Associate, the TOR will be slightly revised.

Key performance indicators

  • Timeliness and quality of the design and implementation of scientific projects.
  • Successful resource mobilization for GLOMOS research activities.
  • Quality and level of engagement with research partners, related networks and collaboration partners worldwide.
  • Timeliness and quality of inputs to scientific publications as well as to annual reports for Eurac and UNU-EHS.
  • Level of contribution to the reputation UNU-EHS received as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.

Competencies

Values:

  • Inclusion — Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
  • Integrity — Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
  • Humility — Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
  • Humanity — Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

  • Connect and collaborate — Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
  • Analyse and plan — Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
  • Deliver results with positive impact — Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
  • Learn and develop — Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
  • Adapt and innovate — Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Qualifications

Education and certification:

  • Completed Master’s degree in a relevant academic discipline, such as geography, economics, social sciences, environmental sciences or other relevant field, preferably with a focus in the area of natural sciences, is required;

Experience:

  • For Research Associate, its recommended to have 1 year experience while for Senior Research Associate level, at least three (three) years of progressively responsible professional experience in research and academia (including field work) related to concepts and methods related to vulnerability and risk assessment and management, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation is required;
  • Advanced knowledge of Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), Anticipatory Action (AA), Emergency Response Preparedness and Humanitarian Relief, preferably in mountainous environments is desirable;
  • Advanced knowledge of data integration and analysis, remote sensing and GIS applications, preferably in global southern countries is desirable;
  • For Senior Research Associate level, at least 2 (two) year experience in project management and project implementation, including planning, organization and documentation of events, conferences, and strategic meetings is required;
  • Good communication and writing skills with respect to scientific as well as non-scientific texts is required;
  • Strong publication profile in the research areas related to the GLOMOS program is required;
  • Experience of successful scientific fund-raising activities is required;
  • Experience in research and scientific project management preferably in an international and multi-cultural environment is desirable;
  • Familiarity with mountain environments and with existing international mountain research networks and related scientific institutions is desirable;
  • Knowledge and experience of processes and procedures of United Nations agencies or international organizations is desirable;
  • Other desirable skills: excellent networking and communication skills, initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, reflexive team player with high interest to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, excellent team spirit.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required;
  • Fluency in German and/or Italian is desirable; knowledge in any additional language, especially French, Spanish, or Portuguese, is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time employment on a twelve (12) months Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

This post is open to applicants from all countries and UNU will aid the successful applicant in securing a work visa for Germany, as necessary. It is, however, a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station will be Bonn, Germany.

Starting date: As soon as possible

How to apply

How to Apply:

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

  • Fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
  • provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
  • provide a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
  • answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
  • apply via the apply link apply link

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 30 September 2022

Assessment

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

Special notice

National PSA only: UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

PSA holders do no hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

Scam warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.


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