Research assistant (UNU-EHS) (PSA)

Reference number: 2011/UNU/EHS/RA/PSA/MRF/26

UNU Mission

The UNU is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate training and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

The UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) in Bonn has been conceived and created to assess the vulnerability and coping capacity of societies facing natural and human-induced hazards in a changing environment. Within the scope of this mandate, UNU-EHS is engaged in policy relevant research and capacity building.

Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability & Adaptation Section (EMSVA)

EMSVA undertakes empirical research on environmentally induced migration and social vulnerability. The section also addresses climate change adaptation including a range of activities such as disaster risk reduction and insurance-related approaches to help vulnerable countries and communities.

The Munich Re Foundation (MRF) Chair on Social Vulnerability

The Munich Re Foundation (MRF) was established in 2005 on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Munich Re Corporation. Within its programme “From Knowledge to Action” MRF supports UNU by providing operational funding for seven years—from 2005 to 2012—for the Chair on Social Vulnerability. Each year, one internationally renowned professor assumes the chair and for the remaining years serves in a collaborative role with the chair network. In total, seven Chairs have been appointed. The first six MRF Chairs on Social Vulnerability have completed their tenure. One Chair will serve as academic leader in 2012. For this time period, an academic officer is being recruited to support the MRF Chair network.

The MRF Chair is established to enhance the involvement of leading scientists in the work of UNU in this area. Therefore chair-holders will be appointed for one year on a rotational basis. It is expected that they will collaborate with UNU-EHS both prior to and following their tenure.

Vulnerability as a social feature is influenced by cultural, institutional and governance settings along with technological competencies, knowledge and economic options available for affected communities. The Chair explores in particular the cultural and economic dimensions of vulnerability with special attention on indigenous perceptions, participatory approaches, and community-based coping practices to detect and reduce vulnerability.

The Chair is supported by an Associate Academic Officer at UNU-EHS.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the supervision of the Head of the (EMSVA) section and Munich Re Foundation (MRF) Project Manager, the successful candidate shall be entrusted with the following tasks:

- Conduct library and internet research, especially relating to social vulnerability;
- Provide literature reviews for topics such as climate resilient pathways, adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development, disaster risk mitigation, social vulnerability and resilience, food and livelihood security, and environmental migration;
- Process, report on and summarise the findings of research conducted;
- Support ongoing project research activities in the EMSVA section;
- Any other duties as may be assigned or required.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

- Minimum Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Social Science, Environmental Science, or other relevant field;
- Proven background in adaptation, climate resilience, social vulnerability and resilience, sustainable development and/or economics;
- Experience in an international organization would be an asset;
- Experience in developing countries would be an asset;
- Knowledge in networking and collaborative research, including project acquisition;
- Excellent command of oral and written English, additional UN languages would be an asset;
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment;
- Excellent communication and organizational skills;
- Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment.