Research Fellow — Water Resources

Research Fellow — Water Resources

POSITION:Personnel Service Agreement
REFERENCE NO.:2015/UNU/FLORES/PSA/RF/47
LOCATION:Dresden, Germany
TIMEZONE:UTC +1
CLOSING DATE:2015•08•15

Organizational Unit: UNU International Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)

United Nations University objectives:

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training and the dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. The University functions 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 innovative ideas and dialogue.

UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)

The mission of UNU-FLORES is to contribute to the development of integrated and sustainable management strategies for the use of water, soil and waste resources in particular in developing and emerging countries in scientific, educational, managerial, technological and institutional terms. Potential issues of focus include urban water management, nutrient cycles and budgets, methods for reclamation and rehabilitation of degraded sites, site-specific river-basin scale water management, interaction of land use management and water inventory under differing climate conditions, and efficient site-adapted waste management strategies, among others. The Institute will develop innovative concepts for target- and region-specific knowledge transfer as well as appropriate methodologies and approaches for postgraduate and professional education.

The Institute is located in Dresden, Federal Republic of Germany. For more information please visithttp://flores.unu.edu.

Responsibilities:

Under the authority and supervision of the Director of UNU-FLORES, the successful candidate shall play an essential role in conducting water and water related water-soil-waste nexus research using the Nexus approach. He/she will be entrusted with the following tasks:

• Lead the research programme on water resources management considering close linkages with the other resources such as waste and soil.
• Initiate, develop and implement research projects in the field of water resources management; cooperate effectively with other academic officers/researchers on developing and implementing projects related to water-soil-waste nexus.
• Seek external funding support for research projects in the field of water resources management.
• Develop cooperative research programmes by networking with colleagues within and outside of the institute.
• Lead analytical studies and policy analysis in a wide range of issues relevant to water development; identify emerging issues on water resources development and management considering other resources of interest to the member states and articulate policies, strategies and approaches to address them.
• Produce and lead preparation of research outcomes in water resources management such as peer reviewed journal articles, books, reports, policy briefs; coordinate outreach activities (workshops, etc.) in the field of water resources management and cooperate with the Academic Officer for Capacity Development and Governance to promote integrated water resources management and its capacity building.
• Provide functional support to UN-Water initiatives and promote inter-agency collaboration in the field of water resources management.
• Supervise PhD students and interns in the covered areas.
• Collaborate in developing study programmes on integrated resources management.
• Perform other UNU-FLORES related tasks assigned by the Director.

Required qualifications and competencies:

• A PhD degree in the natural sciences or engineering related to water resources management, preferably with aspects on the interlinkages between other resources and/or socio-economic perspectives.
• A minimum of five years of progressively relevant work experience, including managing research programmes in academic, research or other institutions.
• Proven strong research background and publications in areas related to the issues of water resources management.
• Experience in managing and seeking research funding from donors and international funding agencies; proven skills in project management.
• Good knowledge of the international research agenda in water resources management, a focus on specific issues in developing and emerging countries would be an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; Knowledge of other official UN language would be an asset.
• Professional experience in teaching postgraduate programmes would be an asset.
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Highly self-motivated and organized.
• Detail oriented, with a professional and conscientious attitude.
• Ability to independently prioritize.
• Willingness to travel.

Remuneration:
We offer competitive remuneration which will be commensurate with qualifications and experience with consideration of the respective UN salary scale.

Duration of contract:

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

The successful candidate will be employed under a personnel service agreement and will not hold international civil service status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.

Starting date:
It is expected that the appointee will take up the position as soon as possible as early as by September 2015, subject to negotiation.

Interested applicants should submit their applications, preferably by email or mail, before the application closing date, and must include the following:

• a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position
• a list of publications and recent writing samples
• the application must also indicate the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2015/UNU/FLORES/PSA/RF/47)
• a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered.