SayPro Research Associate – PSA3

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (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. For more information, please visit

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.

Vulnerability Assessment, Risk Management & Adaptive Planning (VARMAP) Section: The VARMAP section conducts policy-oriented research on vulnerabilities and risks to inform risk reduction and adaptation choices in the context of global change. Its vision is to provide actionable knowledge on systemic risks and pathways to sustainability. VARMAP develops and applies conceptual frameworks and scientific methods to assess socio-economic vulnerability and risk in the context of natural hazards, environmental change and societal transformation. The section explores opportunities to reduce risks and to evaluate competing adaptation options. In doing so, VARMAP examines ways to strengthen adaptive governance. VARMAP has a strong focus on urban areas and rural-urban linkages. Drawing on scenario techniques and dynamic assessment tools, it examines the trends in vulnerability and adaptive capacity as societies undergo wider cultural, economic, demographic and political transformation. VARMAP convenes an interdisciplinary team of researchers and has a wide network of scientific and practical partners. It draws on a mixed methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative tools for the analysis. The section combines a global focus with clusters of specific regional expertise, notably in Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, West Africa and Europe

Climate Academy Project

The Academy aims to include people’s perspectives in climate change policy making to facilitate climate action. The project fosters the action-policy-science interface by generating knowledge and solution-oriented pathways and feeding these into policy processes (crucially, in partnership with UNFCCC) and communities of practice (such as UNDRR and ICLEI). The project convenes the Climate Academy, with thematic foci energy-transition and digitalization and climate change induced mobility, planned for years 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Transformative Climate Action using Participatory data driven decision making platforms (T-CAP) Project

The main motivation for this project is our belief that the battle against climate change will be won at the local level. While digital means are increasingly used to assist in managing cities, an untapped potential lies in using these means to facilitate participatory local level policy making and implementation to catalyze transformative climate actions. This holds special significance in the small and medium cities from the Global South that face resource and capacity constraints. This project will assist urban local bodies in Visakhapatnam, India in working effectively with all stakeholders (particularly the civil society) to gather and analyze data needed for transformative climate action. It aims to showcase a science based participatory planning framework for data driven decision making that can inspire cities across the globe.

Responsibilities

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

1. Within the context of the Climate Academy project:

Thematic and organizational planning of yearly academies:

• Support the project manager in the implementation of the Climate Academy project, including with organizational planning, thematic white papers, policy briefs and outreach materials, and editing scientific outcome publications
• Support the annual climate academy planning including the selection of participants and logistics
• Support the preparation of policy interventions based on the outputs of the annual academies

Liaising with project partners and the community of practice

• Actively support the project manager of the Climate Academy in nurturing the dialogue with policy makers and communities of practices, e.g. through the development of submissions into key UNFCCC processes
• Support the drafting of annual reports of the Climate Academy and coordination with project partners
• Take up other duties related to the Climate Academy as required

2. Within the context of the T-CAP project:

Contextualizing climate knowledge and leading framework development

• Support the project lead in the preparation of the ‘participatory planning framework for data driven decision making’
• Collaborate with the stakeholders to assist in creating a participatory planning framework
• Identify global lighthouse cases and drawing lessons for the T-CAP project in collaboration with the project manager

Assist the capacity strengthening of urban local actors

• Support the identification of the target groups along with the project lead
• Support the capacity mapping and gap identification of key stakeholders and target groups
• Map desired digital tools and capacities to facilitate participatory climate action planning and monitoring
• Work with stakeholders to strengthen capacities under the guidance of the project lead

Support the project management and reporting of the T-CAP project

• Support the coordination with project partners as well as the funding agency and ensure timely reporting
• Support the preparation of annual project and financial reports and all other project related outputs
• Support the verification of project reports from implementation partners
• Preparation of scientific outputs from the project including publications in the leading peer reviewed journals
• Take up other duties related to the T-CAP as required

3. Beyond the T-CAP and Climate Academy projects:

• Support third party funding application related to the mission and vision of UNU-EHS
• Support the liaison with other UN agencies and partner institutions, in particular on the UNU-EHS themes
• Contribute to ongoing teaching and education activities at UNU-EHS
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality development and implementation of outputs from the T-CAP and Climate Academy projects
• Timely and quality delivery of policy as well as scientific outputs
• Quality and level of engagement with project partners
• UNU is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by 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

Education and certification:

• Completed Master’s degree in urban planning, urban development, geography, or another relevant field

Experience:

• At least one year of experience in the field of risk and resilience with particular focus on urban planning and governance, some of which preferably in an international setting
• Work experience in the domain of climate change vulnerability and risk with a focus of climate change adaptation in urban areas
• Knowledge of digitalization and its application in urban planning, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation is required
• Experience in drafting reports, policy briefs, communications, and presentations is an asset
• Experience with stakeholder consultation, participatory planning process and local level capacity building is a strong asset
• Sound communication skills including the ability to present the work across different scales and in front of different stakeholders is a strong asset
• Experience in conference organization as well as partnership management is desired
• Capability to publish peer reviewed papers is an asset
• Other Desirable Skills: Initiative taking, strong conceptual abilities, drafting ability

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Working knowledge of Hindi is an asset
• Knowledge of 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

This is a full-time employment on a twelve (12) months Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding 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

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); and
• 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.
• apply via the apply link apply link

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

Application Deadline: 30 September 2022

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

National PSA only: UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

PSA holders do no hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

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 organization. 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.

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