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 Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS):
UNU-EHS, established in December 2003, is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system and 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.
Environmental Vulnerability & Ecosystem Services (EVES) Division
The EVES division conducts policy-oriented research on the role of ecosystems and their contributions to people for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). Its mission is to integrate the well-being of nature and people to develop science-based solutions that better address multiple global challenges. The EVES team has a strong track record in illustrating how ecosystems are impacted by climate-related hazards and explores the connection between ecosystem losses and damages and their ability to contribute to DRR and CCA. The research of EVES generates scientific evidence that advances our understanding of diverse and multiple values of ecosystems relevant not only for disaster risk and climate change adaptation approaches, but also for progressing biodiversity and sustainable development goals. They also support implementation of ecosystem-based approaches by conceptualizing and developing methods for more integrated design and evaluation in different contexts such as south and south-east Asia, West Africa and Europe.
The advertised position is planned to contribute to two envisaged projects, which both await the final confirmation of funding from the respective donors.
WetlandHealth4UNgoals
To reverse the ongoing trend of wetland degradation, the project aims to dynamically monitor and assess the condition of wetlands in Kenya and Uganda to support targeted and sustainable management. This will be done using innovative earth observation techniques looking at vegetation stress. Knowledge on the wetland health is linked to the wetlands’ contribution to people for the efficient implementation of policies for the protection and sustainable management of wetlands at national level. UNU-EHS will support defining wetland health and be responsible for understanding the diverse values of the wetlands and establishing the link between wetland health and Nature’s Contributions to People following the concept and methods of the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
EbA4UNgoals
Capitalizing on the current political will to restore degraded ecosystems and increase resilience of nature and people to climate change in Togo, the project looks into strategic afforestation targeting multiple goals. It advances the knowledge base on how, where and what species to grow strategically in reforestation activities to address multiple global challenges ranging from climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, achieving land degradation neutrality, disaster risk reduction, while enhancing capacities of local and national institutions in strategic forest restoration activities. UNU-EHS is project coordinator and responsible for defining a multi-goal-oriented forest restoration strategy.
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Head of the EVES division, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
1. Support WetlandHealth4UNgoals project:
- Derive criteria to characterize wetland health, also in relation to earth observation-obtained information on vegetation stress;
- Contribute to a structured literature review on wetland health and the provision of Nature’s Contribution to People.
- Support a field survey on Nature’s Contribution to People related to wetlands in the study area
2. Support EbA4UNgoals project:
- Review planning, assessment and policy documents in the field of disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and achieving land degradation neutrality in Togo;
- Derive criteria for planning and evaluation of strategic forest restoration activities.
- Lead the spatial explicit mapping of criteria and derive locations for strategic forest restoration activities.
- Contribute to the guidance on strategic forest restoration to address multiple goals
3. Engage with experts and stakeholders of both projects
- Conceptualize and organize stakeholder workshops;
- Travel to undertake field research to both Kenia and Togo;
- Develop and conduct expert interviews
4. Support overall project management:
- Support in project management related tasks (attending meetings, report writing, preparation of presentations, documentation, etc.);
- Present project results at scientific and policy-relevant conferences;
- Contribute to the organization of project-related events;
- (Co-)author scientific articles.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Key Performance Indicators
- Timely and quality collection and analysis of relevant primary and secondary data
- Timely and quality achievement of project indicators and submission of deliverables
- High quality engagement with project team and implementation partners
- Contribution to the mission of EVES, the institute and UNU.
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
1) Education and certification
Completed Master’s degree with high academic standing in Geography, Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Social Science or other relevant disciplines;
2) Required skills and experience
- Relevant work experience in the field of social-ecological research (1 year desirable);
- Familiarity with concepts of ecosystem services, disaster risk, climate change adaptation, vulnerability and ecosystem-based approaches is required;
- A good understanding of the IPBES concept on nature’s contribution to people is a strong asset;
- Familiarity with interdisciplinary research and strong methodological skillset, particularly for qualitative empirical research, is required;
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and workshop organization is required;
- Excellent communication and writing skills (academic and non-academic) is required;
- Experience in working with remote sensing and other spatial data is a strong asset;
- Experience with overseas field work is desirable;
3) Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required;
- Working knowledge of French is a strong 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 short CV(maximum of 2 pages);
- provide a document which you think is the most relevant for this position;
- answer a few questions that are tailored to the position; andYou may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
- apply via the apply link.
Application Deadline: 7 August 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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