Research Associate

Job Title: Research Associate (KlimaKonform)

Organization: United Nations University (UNU)

Duty Station: Dresden, Sachsen, Germany

Salary: €3,187 per month

Job description

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.
United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)

UNU-FLORES is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources that concern the United Nations and its Member States – particularly in developing and emerging economies. Based in Dresden, Germany, the Institute engages in research, capacity development, postgraduate teaching, advanced training, and knowledge dissemination to advance the Resource Nexus. For more information, please visit https://flores.unu.edu/.

Project Description - Climate adaptation

German low mountain regions face particularly great challenges due to the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme events such as flash floods, droughts and storms. Municipalities in these regions need to develop strategies to adapt to climate change.

In the joint project KlimaKonform, UNU-FLORES aims to develop an innovative approach to determine the adaptation capacities to climate change for low mountain regions together with districts, selected sample municipalities, and practice partners. The focus of the work is the development of a management module for organisations. At the strategic level, internal strengths and weaknesses of the organisations are recorded and analysed. In addition, the external organisational environment in the form of local stakeholders is considered and DIN SPEC 35810 (stakeholder analysis) is further developed. At the operational level, the cost-benefit analysis is supported at the municipal or district level, where on the one hand the costs and benefits of action are compared with the costs and benefits of inaction and on the other hand barriers are identified. The results are integrated into organisational management.

Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and direct supervision of the Adjunct Researcher, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Conduct research on climate adaptation

• Support the Institute’s research projects related to advancing the resource nexus; including support for data analysis, and data collection;
• Manage day-to-day research activities from planning to implementation;
• Perform literature reviews and assist in the evaluation and examination of research; and
• Design and analysis of questionnaires and case studies.

2. Capacity Development

• Support with capacity development and outreach activities to relevant stakeholders; and
• Support with organising activities such as workshops related to the Research Programme.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

• Provide timely updates and responses to partner organisations, organise and contribute to meetings with key stakeholders;
• Draft project deliverables and reports, and contribute to dissemination; and
• Contribute to publications and publish in peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and policy briefs.

4. Educational Development

• Mentor, supervise, and/or provide junior team members and interns as well as provide guidance to PhD and master’s students; and
• Contribute to the Institute’s teaching activities, especially e-learning and capacity development.

5. Institutional Development

• Support with the development of concepts for fundraising activities; and
• Actively contribute to ideas for Institutional development.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Director. 

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality development and implementation of the assigned performance goals
• A high level of academic excellence, including co-authoring publications
• Quality and proactive level of engagement with UNU-FLORES partners (research partners, government, donors)
• Contribution to the positive reputation of UNU-FLORES as a reliable and trustworthy partner among research partners, governments, donors, and civil society

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

Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, or another relevant field; a Master's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, or another relevant field with at least five (5) years of post-graduate research experience.

• Knowledge/experience of and sensitivity to the challenges faced by organisations operationally and strategically confronted with climate change developments;
• Excellent communications, writing, and analytical skills with experience in drafting reports, communications, and presentations is required;
• Experience and extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office; 
• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently;
• Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes;
• An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, as demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Previous experience of environmental issues of the global south, regional experience and familiarity of the world’s complexities is beneficial;
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, outreach, and event organisation is an asset; and
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising would be desirable.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package, including a monthly net salary of EUR 3,187, 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

This is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU. The duration of the initial contract is ca. 6 months, depending on the starting date of the selected candidate. The duration of the PSA contract is aligned with the duration of the third-party funded project that is scheduled to expire on 30 June 2024. Please note that in general, the combined duration of a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Starting date

as soon as possible

How to Apply: 

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you: 

• Apply via the apply link; 
• fill out the UNU P11 form (please do not use similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations); 
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and 
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 12 October 2023

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.

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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