United Nations University Associate Academic Officer (P-2)

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

Reference Number    :    2012/UNU/EHS/FTA/AAO/31

Applications to    :    hrbonn@vie.unu.edu

Closing Date    :    7 December 2012

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.

West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) Project:
With climate change being one of the most severe challenges to rural Africa in the 21st century, West Africa is facing an urgent need to develop effective adaptation and mitigation measures. WASCAL is a large-scale research-focused program initiated to address these challenges. Its overall objective is to enhance the resilience of social-ecological systems to the impacts of climate change and increased climate variability. For more information about WASCAL, please visit www.wascal.org.
 
Responsibilities:
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS /Vice-Rector in Europe and the supervision of the Head of the Environmental Vulnerability and Ecosystem Services Section, the successful candidate shall be entrusted with thefollowing tasks:

• Coordinate the scientific and administrative tasks undertaken by UNU-EHS under the WASCAL project;
• Provide technical and scientific advice to two PhD students and various MSc students working on vulnerability, resilience and risk assessment within the project;
• Initiate and develop research activities within the WASCAL project leading to publications in peer-reviewed journals; topics should be related to cascading effects of hazards/hazard impacts, resilience threshold identification and characterization, and/or institutional dimensions of vulnerability and risk;
• Contribute to data collection in the field on the topics above;
• Contribute to the organization of workshops and seminars organized by UNU-EHS within WASCAL;
• Publish research results, together with other researchers at UNU-EHS and elsewhere in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters;
• Represent UNU-EHS at major conferences addressing the issue of climate change, vulnerability and risk assessment;
• Contribute teaching modules in the upcoming joint MSc programme of UNU-EHS and tutor students in this programme;
• Provide scientific, technical and logistical support for the wider activities of the Environmental Vulnerability and Ecosystem Services section of UNU-EHS.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• PhD in Agronomy, Agriculture, Geography or a relevant field;
• at least two (2) years of professional experience in research and academia, some of which preferably in Africa;
• Experience in field data collection (preferably in Africa), household interviews, focus group discussions, or other participatory methods;
• Strong skills in statistical methods;
• Strong understanding of vulnerability, resilience and risk concepts, particularly in the context of rural areas facing multiple hazards;
• Good publication background in the areas related to UNU-EHS’ interest;
• Good didactic skills;
• Fluency in both oral and written English;
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Desirable Experience and Competencies:

• Experience in supervising PhD and MSc students;
• Experience in organizing seminars, workshops, conferences;
• Excellent leadership and team spirit;
• Knowledge of German and/or another United Nations official language would be an asset.

Remuneration:
We offer a competitive net salary (tax-exempted) at P-2 level commensurate to level of experience and allowances including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.

The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common Systems, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave. For more information please visit: www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm.

Duration of Contract:
This is a full time fixed-term appointment. The period of initial appointment will be for a period of two (2) years with the possibility of renewal on a rolling fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of project funds. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 62 years.

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector 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.

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

Starting Date: As soon as possible.

Application Procedure:  Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (tohrbonn@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 completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from United Nations University website at http://unu.edu/about/hr. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
• full contact information of three (3) referees; and
• an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2012/UNU/EHS/FTA/AAO/31).