2018 Vacancies At United Nations University

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training, and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its member states and peoples. It serves as a think tank for the United Nations system, contributes to capacity building particularly in developing countries, and serves as a platform for new and creative ideas and dialogue.

Job Description

Job Title: Research Fellow (Green Economy)

UNU Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA)

UNU-INRA is one of 14 research and training centres and programmes (RTC/Ps) established by UNU worldwide. The mission of UNU-INRA is to strengthen the capacity of Africa’s universities and research institutions to conduct research and produce well-trained, well-equipped, and motivated individuals, capable of developing, adapting, and disseminating technologies that advance food security and promote conservation and efficient use of the continent’s natural resources for sustainable development.

We are looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and the potential to bring a significant contribution to the activities of the institute, and contribute to the enablement of a transition towards a green economy that is widely perceived as the solution towards environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and a pathway towards greater resource efficiency.

Both Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 place a great deal of emphasis on the importance of enhancing the capacity of Member States to formulate, design, and foster green policies  in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. Opportunities abound in natural resource sectors that can enable Africa’s trajectory toward an inclusive green economy and the adoption of a transformational development agenda that will enable leap-frogging technologies and enable Africa to tap into low-carbon and resource-efficient technologies in agriculture, energy, forestry, waste, and mining industries. For more information please visit www.inra.unu.edu.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of UNU-INRA, the Research Fellow will:

• coordinate the UNU-INRA research project on the green economy
• produce policy-relevant research and analysis that will foster the adoption of a green economy in the context of low-carbon development and help realise optimal benefits from Africa’s natural resource endowments
• identify strategies that will result in a dynamic engagement between public and private sector to enable the transition towards green growth and adoption of green technologies resulting in resource efficiency
• produce relevant empirical based research in line with the promotion of consumption and production patterns that can foster a greener and more socially inclusive economy for African countries
• identify trade-offs and conduct cost benefit analyses to support African countries towards a transition towards green  and climate resilient economies and green infrastructure
• conduct empirical based research that will analyse the macro-economic policies and frameworks, social infrastructure and the supporting tools, and regulatory and financial instruments for promoting an inclusive green economy
• understand and analyse the institutional context that will trigger the relevant investments as well as the sectoral incentives that will generate the adoption of green technologies and the creation of green jobs
• conduct research on any of the programme areas of UNU-INRA
• create awareness, train national collaborators, and provide guidelines for effective implementation of policies to ensure sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, and maintenance of environmental quality
• supervise graduate students in their research work
• develop research and training proposals for funding
• plan, organise, and participate in national and sub-regional conferences/meetings/workshops
• prepare and publish research outputs in high quality publications, including peer-reviewed journals, extension, and policy briefs
• perform any other professional duties as may be required by the Director of UNU-INRA

Required qualifications

Required qualifications include:

• PhD or ABD in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Ecology, Resource Management, Forestry, Soil Sciences, or a related discipline
• at least six years of relevant work experience beyond the master’s level, preferably in an international environment
• good computer application and modelling skills and knowledge of the use of statistical and econometrical packages
• proven experience in gender analysis
• good writing, presentation, and communication skills; demonstrated experience in organising training workshops, conferences, and fundraising activities as well as forging partnerships with international agencies, national institutions, and NGOs
• good working knowledge of English and French is essential
• ability to work independently with little supervision and under tight deadlines
• proven interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with academic qualifications and experience.

Duration of contract

This is full time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-INRA, with the possibility for contract renewal subject to satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of appointments shall not exceed six (6) years.

This is a locally recruited post; no relocation expenses or allowances apply. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.