The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
UNU-EHS is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.
The United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. The institute conducts research work focusing on advancing human security and well-being by addressing present and future risks arising from environmental hazards and climate change. Its main areas of work are risk & adaptation and transformation. In addition to its research work, UNU-EHS offers education opportunities at the master’s level and hosts a number of international PhD projects and capacity-development courses on global issues of environmental risks and sustainable development. More information about UNU-EHS can be found here: https://unu.edu/ehs.
Environmental Vulnerability & Ecosystem Services (EVES) Division
The EVES division of UNU-EHS conducts policy-oriented research on the role of ecosystems and their contributions to people for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). Its mission is to integrate the well-being of nature and people to develop science-based solutions that better address multiple global challenges simultaneously. The EVES team has a strong track record in illustrating how ecosystems are impacted by climate-related hazards and explores the connection between ecosystem losses and damages and their ability to contribute to DRR and CCA. The research of EVES generates scientific evidence that advances our understanding of diverse and multiple values of ecosystems relevant not only for disaster risk and climate change adaptation approaches, but also for progressing biodiversity and sustainable development goals. They also support implementation of ecosystem-based approaches by conceptualizing and developing methods for more integrated design and evaluation in different contexts with a focus on the Global South.
The advertised position seeks for a Research Manager to coordinate and lead research of UNU-EHS for the following projects:
GreenAdapt2Extremes project
The aim of GreenAdapt2Extremes project (Green adaptation pathways for resilient basin futures under increasing extreme floods and droughts, financed under the 2022 JPI ‘Water4All’ initiative by the European Commission and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)) is to co-create green adaptation pathways with diverse stakeholder groups for safeguarding water security for all, strengthening resilience and nature conservation in European river catchments in light of increasing extreme flood and drought events. The project will co-create visions for resilient basin futures, assess the root causes, drivers, dynamics and interconnections of current and future multi-risks for ecosystems, economic sectors and people linked to floods and droughts and identify adaptation options and co-create ‘green adaptation pathways’ at the catchment scale with a particular focus on Nature-based Solutions. GreenAdapt2Extremes works closely with relevant stakeholders in three highly flood- and drought-prone river basins: the Dora Baltea basin (Italy), the Erft basin (Germany) and the Geul basin (Netherlands).
Regreening for the Future project
The aim of Regreening for the Future project (Regreening for the Future: integrating climate change adaptation pathways into community-led regreening in East Africa, financed by the Australian Governments Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)) is to learn how the integration of adaptation pathways within a community-led regreening model could enhance the capacity of communities in Kenya and the East Africa region. Land degradation, driven by inappropriate management of agricultural lands and climate change are contributing to food inequality, reduced crop and livestock productivity, reduced quantity and quality of freshwater, increased occurrence and severity of natural hazards and loss of cultural values among other impacts. The community-led regreening model to be developed in this project will focus on how the combination of landscape restoration with associated climate-smart agriculture and livelihood improvements can be integrated together through the co-creation of pathways. The pathways will take into consideration both present and future climate risks, with the outcome of supporting communities to continuously adapt to climate change long into the future, improving livelihoods and climate resilience.
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Head of the EVES division, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
Coordinate the GreenAdapt2Extremes project
· Lead the day-to-day management of the GreenAdapt2Extremes project, including distributing tasks among the project team, and organization of project meetings;
· Coordinate work package between UNU EHS and external partners and liaise with the principal investigator to ensure timely delivery of milestones and donor deliverables;
· Oversee the implementation of UNU-EHS work packages in the project, including stakeholder engagement and co-creation activities, multi-risk analysis, green adaptation pathways focusing on Nature-based Solutions, evaluation of adaptation pathways and multi-level governance research;
· Lead the work package on co-creation of ‘green adaptation pathways’ at the catchment scale with a particular focus on Nature-based Solutions in at least one case study;
· Lead the recruitment of project support staff;
· Facilitate knowledge-exchange and cooperation activities across international consortia
· Lead peer reviewed publications for the project.
2. Lead the UNU-EHS contribution in the Regreening for the Future project
· Lead the day-to-day management of the Regreening for the Future project, including distributing tasks among the project team, and organization of project meetings;
· Coordinate work packages between UNU‑EHS and external consortium organizations, and managing deadlines and deliverables to the donor;
· Oversee the implementation of UNU-EHS led activities in the project, including research on monitoring, evaluation and learning, adaptive capacity strengthening and climate-ready regreening pathways;
· Develop and pilot a novel framework for adaptation pathway co-creation within community regreening contexts in Kenya;
· Lead fieldwork in Kenya on workshop design, community stakeholder engagement for pathways development, co-production of knowledge and monitoring, evaluation and learning;
· Represent UNU-EHS in the project consortiums management committee which is responsible for communication with the donor and the projects national advisory committee;
· Contribute to drafting project deliverables, synthesis documents, and capacity-building materials for partners;
· Lead peer reviewed publications for the project.
3. Support the strategic research and workplan of the EVES division
· Contribute to the development of strategic research and workplans on assessing the opportunities and limitations of ecosystem‑based approaches, including multi-goal-oriented planning and the implementation of adaptation pathways.
· Lead the development of research proposals for project acquisition targeting national or international donors that support EVES and UNU-EHS vision and mission.
4. Contribute to UNU-EHS’s teaching and supervision activities
· Contribute to teaching activities within UNU-EHS joint Master programme and guest lectures as required;
· Provide supervision and mentoring to Research Associates, Interns and Student Assistants contributing to project activities;
· Supervise Master’s students with Thesis work aligned with the EVES and UNU-EHS’ vision and mission.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Key Performance Indicators
· Timely, effective and inclusive coordination and quality implementation of research in GreenAdapt2Extremes and Regreening for the Future projects;
· Timely and quality delivery of milestones and deliverables as outlined in the project proposals;
· High quality engagement with project team and implementation partners;
· Delivery of high-quality scientific publications and engagement with students;
Contribution to EVES mission objectives through defined outputs and initiatives.
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
1) Education and certification
Completed Master’s degree with high academic standing in Environmental Science, Geography, Sustainability Science, Ecology, Planning or other related disciplines.
2) Experience·
· At least one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in research and academia, some of which preferably in an international setting including experience in project coordination and management.
· Demonstrated knowledge of disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, vulnerability and ecosystem-based approaches;
· Sound understanding and experience in the field of adaptation pathways and IPBES concept on nature’s contribution to people considered a strong asset;
· Experience with interdisciplinary research and strong methodological skills, particularly in qualitative empirical research;
· Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and workshop facilitation and coordination;
· Excellent written and oral communication for academic and non-academic audiences;
· Experience in overseas field work;
· Demonstrated research track-record relevant to the project thematic areas.
Other Desirable Skills:
· Two (2) years of relevant work experience considered an asset;
· Strong analytical, conceptual and drafting skills;
Sound judgement and decision-making ability.
3) Language Requirements:
· Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
· Knowledge of German, Dutch and Italian is an asset.
· Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
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.
The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed 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.
Submissions must be received by 00:00 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
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);
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; and
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
apply via the apply link.
Submissions must be received by 00:00 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.
PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. 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 organisation. 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. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.
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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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