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Project Officer – Freshwater Ecosystems Programme

POSITION:
Personnel Service Agreement
REFERENCE NO.:
2012/UNU/INWEH/PSA/PO/FW/21
LOCATION:
Hamilton, Ontario
CLOSING DATE:
2012•08•10

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 furtherance of 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.

United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)

UNU-INWEH is a unit of the United Nations University based in Canada. It was created in 1996 with its core funding provided by the Government of Canada, and is hosted at the McMaster University, Hamilton. Its core concern is the global water crisis. It aims to contribute, through capacity development and directed research, to efforts to resolve pressing global water problems that are of concern to the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States.

UNU-INWEH’s programme structure represents a proactive, selective and longer-term strategy to programme development. Its three core functions are: (a) capacity development through the strengthening of scientific, managerial, educational and institutional capacity in developing countries; (b) enhancing and mobilizing knowledge to address policy issues and to fill critical knowledge gaps; and (c) directed science and policy bridging – achieved through application of research and focused on water policy and governance innovations. These core functions are applied to four thematic areas, each representing a critical aspect of the global water challenge:

  • Freshwater Ecosystems
  • Coastal Ecosystems
  • Dryland Ecosystems
  • Water-Health Nexus

We are looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment to serving developing countries and the potential to bring a significant contribution to the worldwide expansion of UNU’s operations. For moreinformation on UNU-INWEH please visit www.inweh.unu.edu.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Assistant Director (Freshwater Programme and IT) and working closely with colleagues across all UNU-INWEH programmes, the main duties and responsibilities of the Project Officer- Freshwater include the following:

  • Formulating, developing and implementing new initiatives and proposals to further enhance the effectiveness and impact of UNU-INWEH’s activities, with a particular focus on applied science, knowledge management and capacity building in developing countries;
  • Interacting with partners, such as UN and international agencies and/or organizations dealing with various aspects of ongoing projects in the Freshwater Programme;
  • Providing support across all UNU-INWEH programmes in successful completion of tasks related to implementation of projects;
  • Communicating and liaising with project partners;
  • Facilitating information management; and
  • Any other duties as may be assigned or required.

Required Qualifications and Experience

  • Minimum master’s degree in a water-related area in Science, Environmental Sciences, International Studies, or Environmental Engineering;
  • At least four (4) years of relevant working experience in handling project management, financial and administrative work. Preference will be given to those with experience in financial and/or project management in an international environment;
  • Experience with databases, word processing and spreadsheet programmes is essential;
  • Fluency in both oral and written English is required; knowledge of any other United Nations official languages is an asset;
  • Result-oriented and self-motivated, with the ability to prioritize work and multi-task;
  • Proven interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration

Remuneration will commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position carries a salary in the range of CAD $50,000 to $60,000 per annum. The salary is exempted from Canadian income taxes.

Duration of Contract

This is a full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNUINWEH, with the possibility for renewal for one (1) year subject to excellent work performance and availability of funds.

This is an internationally recruited PSA position, and a fixed relocation allowance is available to out of town appointees. If necessary for the successful candidate, an economy class air ticket will be provided by UNUINWEH for relocation to Hamilton, Canada.

This position will not hold international civil servant status.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates and those from developing countries are particularly encouraged.

Starting Date

It is expected that the appointee will take up the position by 10 September 2012 or soon thereafter.

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

    • a cover letter setting out how your qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
    • a completed and signed UNU Personal History form (P.11) Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations. Do not submit your curriculum vitae;
    • full contact information of three (3) referees (including e-mail addresses);
    • an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2012/UNU/INWEH/PSA/PO/FW/21).

    The application package should be prepared preferably as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file(s) and attached to an e-mail. Incomplete applications that do not include all of the requested information will not be considered.

United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health

175 Longwood Road South, Suite 204
Hamilton Ontario L8P 0A1
Canada

Tel: +1 (905) 667-5511
Fax: +1 (905) 667-5510

contact.inweh@unu.edu