Associate Academic Officer , United Nations University

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

Reference Number : 2014/UNU/EHS/PSA/AAO/06

Applications to : hrbonn@vie.unu.edu

Closing Date : 28 February 2014

United Nations University Objectives:

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and 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 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.

Advancing Research on Climate-Related Loss and Damage:

At the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP-19), the Warsaw International Mechanism for loss and damage associated with climate change impacts was established to promote “implementation of approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change (…) in a comprehensive, integrated and coherent manner”. The outcome is a notable step forward because it creates a legitimate policy space to discuss and address the negative consequences of climate change if society´s efforts to mitigate and adapt are not sufficient. What values are at risk—like food and livelihood security, culture, habitable territory—and what changes could society undergo when those values are threatened and when adaptation limits are approached or crossed? What can be done to help vulnerable people who are already feeling the negative consequences of climate change?

In 2012-2013 the United Nations University Institute of Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) has been involved in the first-ever multi-country study of loss and damage from climate change in vulnerable countries (www.lossanddamage.net). This study was part of the Loss and Damage in Vulnerable Countries Initiative (LDVCI), funded by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN). The role of UNU-EHS in LDVCI was primarily to coordinate nine local case studies to assess loss and damage in vulnerable communities. Fieldwork was conducted in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Micronesia, Nepal, The Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique Ethiopia and Burkina Faso (the last three in partnership with the Africa Climate Policy Centre, ACPC), and the results were published in reports (seewww.lossanddamage.net) and a special issue of the International Journal of Global Warming. Several project publications were launched at COP-18 in Doha and COP-19 in Warsaw.
UNU-EHS seeks an excellent researcher who is familiar with the topic of loss and damage and adaptation limits/constraints to consolidate and strengthen our position in this emerging field of research.

Objectives:

At COP-22 in 2016, the Warsaw International Mechanism for loss and damage will be reviewed. In the runup to COP-22, UNU-EHS aims to play a leading role in advancing knowledge and document evidence of the losses and damages that communities in developing countries are already incurring as a result of increasingly severe climatic stressors, underlying vulnerabilities and insufficient support for adaptation. It will do so by:

• Advancing methods to assess loss and damage in vulnerable communties;
• Publishing results for academic as well as non-academic audiences;
• Collaborating with international partners and building strategic partnerships;
• Building capacity to assess and address loss and damage, especially in developing countries.

Responsibilities:

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and guidance of the Head of the Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability & Adaptation (EMSVA) section, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

1. Research

• Develop a methods toolbox for assessing loss and damage in vulnerable communities;
• Work with partners in developing countries to prepare fieldwork aimed at testing the methods toolbox (site selection, desk study, fieldwork training);
• Support fieldwork activities in developing countries;
• Support partners in developing countries with data cleaning, analysis, and reporting of study findings;
• Further develop research profile in loss and damage and adaptation limits/constraints through relevant reports and journal publications;
• Write scientific papers of research findings (peer review quality);
• Present research findings and metholodgical/conceptual progress on loss and damage in international conferences and meetings;
• Support the EMSVA Section Head to write related reports, additional scientific articles, and proposals;
• Support other EMSVA colleagues working mostly on migration-environment linkages, when the need arises.

2. Capacity Building

• Work closely with researchers, policy makers, negotiators and practitioners in developing countries to increase their capacity to assess and address loss and damage.

3. Project Management

• Coordinate work of UNU-EHS, including research–related work, fieldwork logistics, case study deliverables, reporting, activities in case study countries, any training needed, and budget management;
• Coordinate with partners in developing countries on the recruitment of field staff, planning, and ensuring timely deliverables;
• Ensure dissemination of joint research findings (analysis and messaging);
• Provide technical support on international and national level advocacy (analysis and messaging);
• Coordinate and co-organize research-related meetings, workshops and events;
• Coordinate and support fieldwork implementation and related activities;
• Coordinate project-related publications, dissemination and communication strategy;
• Document and evaluate lessons learned from research activities;
• Process, report on and summarize the findings of the research conducted including strategic summaries;
• Contribute content to project websites.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• PhD degree in a Social Sciences field, preferably Human Geography, Anthropology or Development Studies with an emphasis on adaptation to climate change, livelihood, vulnerability and/or resilience, and a focus on developing countries;
• Minimum five (5) years of internationally recognized scientific working experience related to climate impacts, adaptation, and/or risk management;
• Minimum five (5) years of experience working in developing countries, especially in research/fieldwork;
• In-depth knowledge of current debates on loss and damage and adaptation limits/constraints;
• Strong record of publications in loss and damage and adaptation limits/constraints;
• Proven experience with methods development and reporting (e.g. guidebook, toolbox);
• Willingness and ability to work under harsh circumstances in remote and underdeveloped regions if the need arises (e.g. for fieldwork);
• Demonstrated experience with social science methods and strong ability to use insights from the natural sciences (e.g. on climatic changes and physical impacts) as input to the research activities;
• Proven experience with quantitative, qualitative and participatory research approaches (e.g. questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, life histories, mapping, surveys);
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in oral and written English and advanced knowledge of French and/or Spanish;
• Strong ability to carry out work independently and in an international team;
• Proven background and strong skills in managing projects in multicultural surrounding, preferably related to climate change impacts and adaptation;
• Strong professional network;
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills;
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office, statistical packages (e.g. SPSS) and GIS).

Desirable Experience and Competencies:

• Familiarity with UNFCCC climate negotiations;
• Proven ability to attract funding for research projects (proposal writing);
• Experience with website design / maintenance;
• Experience with use of video;
• Knowledge of German and other languages would be an asset.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Duration of Contract:

This is a full-time employment on a two- (2) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with the possibility of renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.

This is a locally recruited post; no relocation expenses or allowances apply. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.

Starting Date: 1 April 2014.

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to hrbonn@vie.unu.edu), and must include the following:

• a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from the UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
• an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2014/UNU/EHS/PSA/AAO/06).