event 27 May 2021

Vacancy // Associate Academic Officer at the United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe, Bonn

The United Nations University – Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE), in Bonn, Germany is looking for an Associate Academic Officer: Water in context of Water-Energy-Food Nexus for the Pan African Cooperation and Educational Technologies (PACET) Program to start as soon as possible. Deadline: June 9, 2021.

UNU Vi E

About United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and capacity development, and the 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.

The UNU Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE), established in 2007, seeks to strengthen the presence of UNU in Europe and supports the worldwide institutional development of UNU by facilitating collaboration across UNU and the UN, and sharing knowledge and expertise through the development of joint activities and projects. In addition to its core mandate, it administers the central units providing service to both UNU-ViE and UNU-EHS.

About the Pan African Cooperation and Educational Technologies (PACET)

The PACET Program at UNU-ViE aims to strengthen research, educational, and institutional capacities of UNU-EHS in global South with a focus on Africa. PACET fosters cooperation between UNU and African institutions in higher education, research, policy, and practice to develop innovative methods and appropriated solutions to address challenges particularly within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Pairs Agreement, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

Water-Energy-Food (WEF) in context of Climate Change represents a main research pillar at PACET. Activities and projects on the topic aims at generating new scientific and policy-relevant knowledge to support sustainable socio-economic, environmentally-friendly transformation and increase resilience against climate change in Global South with a focus on Africa. Water in the context of WEF nexus addresses water-oriented research topics that enable the management of water in a sustainable and integrated manner. The research topics include strategic water use planning and efficiency, Page 2 of 3 reliable water supply for agriculture, transboundary water management, integration of intelligent and smart systems to monitor and collect real-time data on water demand and allocation. Despite overall progress on capacity-building related to climate action at the national level, countries in the global south continue to face institutional, technical and financial capacity gaps and needs. Institutional capacitybuilding and Cooperation with global South represent another important pillar of activities at PACET which are geared among other toward strengthening institutional and individual capacities in southern countries to ensure national ownership in the implementation of Paris agreement.

Required qualifications and experience

  • a PhD in environmental sciences, natural sciences, or geography
  • a minimum of two years of working experience in a relevant field, preferably in an international and multicultural environment
  • proven experience of successful project management in the context of development cooperation/science-policy interface and in coordinating with a broad range of actors
  • excellent skills in writing applications for research grants
  • experience in fundraising for research projects from German and international donors
  • ability to negotiate with partners and funding institutions
  • advanced statistical skills and experience with statistical software packages essential
  • previous experience in teaching at the MSc level, including the supervision of MSc and/or PhD theses
  • excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills with fluency in spoken and written English; additional languages such as German, French, Spanish or other UN languages are an asset
  • a track record of representing your organisation at international fora with a specific focus on presenting research results to interdisciplinary audiences
  • a strong network with institutions in research, policy, and education in the Global South, particularly in Africa
  • be a strong team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

This position entails a high degree of travel.

Remuneration

UNU Rector offers a competitive net salary (tax-exempted) at the P-2 level commensurate to the level of experience and allowances including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.

The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common System, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave.

More information about United Nations salary and entitlement/benefits here.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment and an internationally recruited post. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year with the possibility of renewal on a rolling fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of fixed-term appointments shall not exceed six years.

Application

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail and must include the following:

  • a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position
  • a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form
  • full contact information of three references
  • an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2021/UNU/ViE/FTA/AAO/PACET/00151526)

Download

Click here to download the complete vacancy announcement.

Related News and Articles

- Publication // A Review of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus Research in Africa

- Publication // Development of Water-Energy-Food Nexus Index and its Application to South Africa and the Southern African Development Community

- Publication // Climate change and the water–energy–food nexus: insights from policy and practice in Tanzania

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