Research Associate/Senior Research Associate – applied research on risks in mountains (PSA-3/4)

United Nations University (UNU)

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.

UNU-EHS

UNU-EHS is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

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

Eurac is a private, non-profit, interdisciplinary research center in Northern Italy established in 1992. With 11 research institutes, 6 cross-cutting centers and 700+ staff , 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, fostering in particular the development of mountain regions as well as the livelihood of their communities, and supports the management of social, cultural and ecological diversity. The Eurac premises are located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in the heart of the Alps and close to the Dolomites.

Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) Division

In 2019 UNU-EHS and Eurac Research initiated a new joint research programme. The Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) programme combines the scientific profiles and capacities of both institutions. It 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 provides a bridge 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. GLOMOS activities comprise research for and in mountain regions worldwide – from the global to the local level – as well as the campaigning work for a larger recognition of mountain issues in global policies, initiatives and finance schemes. The GLOMOS programme has two offices, one at UNU-EHS at the UN Campus in Bonn / Germany and one in the premises of Eurac Research in Bolzano Italy. The duty station for the here announced position is the latter one.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Vice-Rector/Director of UNU-EHS and the direct co-supervision of the Head of the GLOMOS Bolzano office, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

1. Science and research

• Develop and design research questions for the scientific work in GLOMOS
• Sharpen the scientific profile of the GLOMOS programme
• Conduct research activities within the fields of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and the sustainable development and management of social-ecological systems in mountain regions
• Develop and publish scientific papers in international journals

2. Project acquisition and management

• Identify funding sources for research projects
• Carry out project acquisition activities for the GLOMOS programme
• Assist in monitoring financial and project budgetary status of projects and provide officers responsible with information as required
• Supporting ongoing scientific project activities in management tasks

3. GLOMOS programme development

• Support the planning, organization and documentation of GLOMOS events, conferences, and strategic meetings
• Engage with the development of GLOMOS work in the two mountain regions of the Andes and the Maloti Drakensberge in Southern Africa – leading one and supporting the other

4. GLOMOS visibility

• Support the communication and dissemination of GLOMOS activities and project results
• Support the establishment, maintenance and documentation of networks and relationships with other international actors and institutions active in the area of mountain research

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality delivery of research results and respective publications
• Quality of innovative research design for the acquisition of GLOMOS scientific projects
• Timely and quality support for reporting and management of the GLOMOS Bolzano office
• Quality and level of engagement with project team, consortium partners and stakeholders

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

1) Education and certification

Completed Master’s degree or its equivalent in a scientific discipline relevant for the thematic areas of GLOMOS

2) Required skills and experience

• For the Research Associate position, it is recommended to have at least 1 (one) year of professional experience related to scientific project/programme support or implementation, preferably in an international environment;
• For the Senior Research Associate position, it is mandatory to have at least 1 (one) year of professional experience related to scientific project/programme support or implementation, preferably in an international environment;
• Familiarity with a diverse range of scientific methods and associated software relevant for scientific activities in mountain regions;
• Excellent communication and writing skills with respect to scientific as well as non-scientific texts;
• Self-reflective team player with strong networking and interpersonal skills, and experience in working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

    Desired qualifications and experience

• More than one year of professional experience related to scientific project/programme support or implementation;
• Experience in (scientific) project management and in project reporting;
• Experience in the planning, organization and documentation of events, conferences, and strategic meetings;
• Public speaking/presentation as well as training and moderation skills;
• Familiarity with mountain environments and with existing international mountain research networks and related scientific institutions;
• Knowledge and experience of processes and procedures of United Nations agencies or international organizations;
• Willingness and capability of travelling and working in mountainous, higher altitude regions;

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Good knowledge of Italian and German is a strong asset
• Good knowledge in any additional language, especially French or Spanish, 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

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. It is a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station will be Bolzano, Italy.

Starting date: 15 June 2024

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);
  
• 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.

Application Deadline: 2 May 2024

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

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

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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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