Vacancy: Research Associate, Caribbean Regional Institutions, Adaptation, & Insurance Project

8/7/2019 Vacancy: Research Associate, Caribbean Regional Institutions, Adaptation, & Insurance Project

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LOCAL RECRUITMENT

Bonn, Germany

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (part time)

(Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability and Adaptation Section)

Organizational Unit : United Nations University-Institute for Environment and HumanSecurity (UNU-EHS)

Reference Number : 2011/UNU/EHS/RAssoc/PSA/08

Applications to : Ms. Beatrice OReilly, Personnel Administration Manager([email protected] )

Closing date : 20 February 2011

Starting date : As soon as possible

UNU Mission:

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

UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS):

The UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY Institute for Environment and Human Security in Bonnhas been conceived and created to assess the vulnerability and coping capacity of societies facingnatural 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. For more informationabout UNU-EHS, please visit www.ehs.unu.edu .

Background on the Regional institutions, Adaptation, & Insurance Project

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report (2007) notedthat the projected impacts of global climate change on the Caribbean region are expected to bedevastating, and will be reinforced due to limited adaptive capacity of the Caribbean CommunitySecretariat (CARICOM) small island and low-lying coastal states. Tropical storms, heavyprecipitation events on the one side and disruptions in rainfall and freshwater supply on the otherare expected to escalate. Between 1995 and 2000, the region saw the highest level of hurricanes

on record, and losses over the past 30 years have been estimated to be in the region of US$3.3billion from extreme weather events alone. Accordingly to a regional adaption strategy byCCCCC, the very existence of the CARICOM countries is threatened by climate change.


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The aim of the project is to research a) barriers and possible solutions to manage middle-levelweather-related risks (return periods of 10-20 years) and facilitate public safety nets and public-private risk transfer solutions for vulnerable people; b) explore, in the context of CaribbeanIsland states, how these risk management solutions can be linked with risk reduction efforts forcatalytic adaptation benefits; and c) analyse the value of a regional facility for achieving theseaims.

Responsibilities:

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS / Vice-Rector in Europe, and the supervision of the Head of the Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability and Adaptation Section, thesuccessful candidate will carry out the following tasks:

Project Implementation and Monitoring Contribute to the implementation of project plans in the Caribbean; In collaboration with project partners, develop a set of monitoring indicators (qualitative

and where possible quantitative); Write quarterly monitoring reports and newsletters; Prepare any needed background information on monitoring and implementation for

regional workshop in Caribbean with Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM) anddecision makers and expert meetings on lessons learned;

In collaboration with project partners, support and coordinate data collection anddevelopment work by the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF).

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climatenegotiations

In collaboration with project partners, contribute to concept / messages for relevantUNFCCC side events;

Help develop concept / messages for policy workshop with UNFCCC delegates andGerman Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU);

Coordinate negotiation interface for practitioners and delegates (strategy, concept,participants, outcomes);

Help develop concept / messages for delegate dinners at UNFCCC climate negotiations(2011 2013);

Help develop appropriate UNFCCC submissions related to disaster risk management, risk transfer and adaptation;

Monitor UNFCCC climate negotiations for relevant documents, strategic developments

related to adaptation, risk management and risk transfer, loss and damage; Brief UNU-EHS and project partners about relevant developments in UNFCCC process

in preparation for UNFCCC sessions.

Research Further develop research profile in climate adaptation, risk management and risk transfer

through relevant reports and journal publications; Perform background literature searches that contribute to the elaboration of the projects

conceptual framework (in the first half of 2011); Support the framing of fieldwork design of the project; Contribute to the literature review of existing academic and policy literature about the

study sites with respect to climate change impacts, risk management, disaster risk reduction, and risk transfer;


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Support articulation of research questions, topics to be addressed (hazard and exposureprofile, vulnerability and adaptive capacity profile, risk exposure profile and local risk management capacity profile), types of information sought / actors to be interviewed (inthe first half of 2011);

Support the Section Head as necessary to write project proposals, develop researchprograms, and write scientific articles.

Required Qualifications and Competencies:

Upper class MSc (or equivalent) in Geography, Environmental Sciences or Social Scienceswith good knowledge of climate change impacts, disaster risk management, micro insuranceand other forms of risk transfer, and adaptation;

Familiarity with UNFCCC climate negotiations, familiarity with partner organizations andGerman Federal Ministry of Environment;

A strong network in disaster risk reduction and management, and climate sciences; Excellent command of oral and written English; A minimum of 2 years scientific working experience related to climate impacts and

adaptation, and / or risk management and risk transfer is essential. Proof of independentquantitative and/or qualitative research, convincingly demonstrated by applied research orsignificant field work in relevant subjects. Reports, monographs, and further publications asauthor, co-author or editor, e.g. in recognised journals, are valuable criteria for the selectionprocess; and proposal writing experience (e.g. EC calls);

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work flexibly and cooperatively,strong team spirit;

Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Remuneration:

Salary of 1,132 per month for part-time contract (50%).

Duration of Contract:

The successful candidate will be based at UNU-EHS in Bonn on a part-time (20 hours per week)basis, under the Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) category for an initial period of twelvemonths.

This is a locally recruited position; no relocation expenses or allowances apply. Suitablyqualified women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Starting date :

As soon as possible.

Application Procedure :

Interested applicants should submit their application, preferably by e-mail and must include thefollowing:

a cover letter setting out how their qualifications and experience match the requirements of theposition; a completed and signed UNU Personal History form (P.11) downloadable from UNU websiteat www.unu.edu/employment . Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United


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Nations organizations; the application must also indicate the reference number of the vacancy announcement.Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Documents

Vacancy: Research Associate, Caribbean Regional Institutions, Adaptation, & Insurance Project