Research Manager – Scientific support to the Deputy Director (PSA-5) [Re-advertised]

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.

The UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. It contributes to the overall mandate of UNU, and the UN, by advancing human security and well-being through reducing current and future risks from environmental hazards and climate change. UNU-EHS’s research is clustered in two main areas: “Risk and Adaptation” and “Transformation”.

Department “Risk and Adaptation”

The department Risk and Adaptation focuses on understanding and addressing interconnected risks and the adverse impacts of climate change in science and policy based on a variety of different, yet complementary work streams. These include, inter alia, (i) understanding and assessing systemic risk, (ii) developing pathways to sustainability, (iii) supporting the international regime to respond to climate impacts, (iv) fostering governance and the uptake of climate and disaster finance, (v) understanding human mobility and immobility in context of climate change, (vi) assessing and developing ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and adaptation, (vii) understanding and assessing loss and damage, and (vii) enhancing climate risks analytics and forecasting, with a focus on regions which are strongly exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change and disaster risk, such as cities, mountains, river basins and the low-lying coasts.

Interconnected Disaster Risk report

Interconnected Disaster Risks is an annual science-based report designed to be accessible for the general public. It is published by the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security, and was first released in 2021. The idea for the report was developed based on the recognition that disasters are occurring at an ever-faster rate and, despite progress being made in how we prepare and respond to them, we are continuously being caught out by new extremes and new emerging threats. The report is based on thorough scientific analysis and includes technical background reports for each of the cases. For more information, please visit https://interconnectedrisks.org/

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

1. Provide scientific support to the Deputy Director in the area of Risk and Adaptation

• Co-shape relevant and emerging research streams;
• Lead scientific reviews and background searches; synthetize information;
• Scope new opportunities in the field of risk and adaptation;
• Author or co-author scientific papers, policy briefs in areas of risk and adaptation;
• Develop content for teaching in the fields of Risk and Adaptation.

2.  Provide scientific support to the Department Risk and Adaptation

• Prepare content and follow-up on deliverables for regular “Risk and Adaptation” department meetings in relation to their scientific content;
• Coordinate inputs from and for internal stakeholders on risk and adaptation;

3. Contribute to the development of the annual Interconnected Disaster Risk report

• Co-shape research content of the annually changing theme of the report in the realm of interconnected disasters risks;
• Identify and develop possible interventions and ways of systemic change in the context of changing risks;
• Synthetize research results and identify patterns across different cases;
• Lead technical background papers as first author or co-author;
• Manage references and databases;
• Respond to editorial comments, revise the documents as needed.

4. Contribute to the outreach of the Deputy Director and the Interconnected Disaster Risk report

• Prepare scientific presentations and scientific inputs to relevant processes;
• Prepare background briefing documents;
• Shape the scientific input to the visualization and the development of communication products;
• Co-develop the communication materials related to the body of academic work by providing input, fact checking and liaising closely with the UNU-EHS communication section;
• Serve as one of the spokespersons for the communication of the results of the Interconnected Disaster Risk report.

5.Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality collection, synthesis and generation of scientific information
• Timely and quality delivery of reports, presentation and communication products
• High quality engagement with project team and implementation partners
• Contribution to project, institute and UNU mission.

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 with high academic standing in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Science, or other relevant discipline

2) Required skills and experience

• At least 1 year work experience in the field of systemic risk research, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation is required;
• Strong methodological skillset for quantitative or qualitative empirical research in the above areas of work is required;
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information, and to translate into impactful communication products such as publications/reports/presentations for scientific and general audiences is required;
• Strong interpersonal skills to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity is required;
• Strong ability to carry out work independently by meeting deadlines is required;
• Proficient user knowledge of reference management programs (e.g. Citavi or similar) is required;
• Experience with project managements software (e.g. Asana or similar) is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in working as a member of a science and communication project team, high awareness of the various needs of different target audiences is an asset;
• Experience with media interviews is an asset.

3) Language Requirements:

• Excellent spoken and written English is required;
• Fluency in another UN official working language 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.  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.

Starting date: As soon as possible

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;
  
• provide a sample scientific publication;
• 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: 12 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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