United Nations University Job Vacancy: Gibika Project Manager - Bonn, Germany

POSITION: Personnel Service Agreement
REFERENCE NO: 2015/UNU/EHS/PSA/GPM/74
LOCATION: Bonn, Germany
TIMEZONE: UTC +1CLOSING DATE:2015•11•30

Organizational Unit: UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security

United Nations University objectives

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

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

UNU-EHS, established in December 2003, is part of the UNU system, a worldwide network of Research and Training Institutes. Its mission is to advance human security through knowledge-based approaches to reducing vulnerability and environmental risks.

The Gibika ProjectThis position is part of a joint research-to-action project undertaken by UNU-EHS and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), in partnership with the Munich Re Foundation (MRF), to expand knowledge and community-based action about social resilience and adaptation in the context of climate change and environmental stress. The project will account for community-level impacts (such as livelihoods, migration, risk management strategies, coping ability) and national-level policy implications of climatic variability (such as changing rain patterns causing increased flash flooding and river and coastal flooding), and long-term shifts in climate patterns.

ResponsibilitiesUnder the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the supervision and guidance of the Head of the Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability & Adaptation (EMSVA) section, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

• Implement a successful research-to-action programme together with the project partners ICCCAD and MRF. 
• Coordinate, supervise, and provide guidance to ICCCAD Gibika staff in all aspects of the community-based action research implementation, including literature review and desk study, preparation of fieldwork and data collection; post-fieldwork data cleaning, analysis, and reporting (including scientific articles); dissemination activities (including presentations and photo films); and facilitate through research findings to move towards action.
• Further develop research profile in climate adaptation and social resilience through relevant reports, journal publications, book chapters, policy briefs, social media, press and additional public visibility.
• Prepare, organise, and oversee fieldwork in the context of the Gibika project. Conduct a field team for a new round of Gibika fieldwork, including recruitment, any training needed and budget management, field plan, methodology, case study deliverables, reporting, supervision of data collection, data cleaning and analysis, as well as other post-reporting activities of field data, reporting, and elaboration of the conceptual framework of the Gibika project.
• Follow up on 2014 fieldwork activities, which includes returning to study sites to complete information and conduct additional field data.
• Correspond and coordinate the timely execution of deliverables among the responsible project partners, prepare the annual reporting, and share the report with project partners ICCCAD and MRF.
• Actively work to establish a network with potential local, national, and international partners, and ensure public visibility through project presentations, panels, keynote speeches, and networking at events, workshops, etc.
• Coordinate and organise, together with MRF the Resilience Academy once a year, including recruitment of participants, planning, and ensuring inputs and outputs.
• Coordinate, prepare, and present project-related publication packages, e.g., scientific papers, bulletins, field reports, UNU-reports, research methodology guidebook, etc., which report on and summarise the findings of the research conducted, including strategic summaries.
• Disseminate and actively develop a Gibika project communication strategy to ensure visibility of Gibika activities and its research findings among target stakeholder groups and the public through publications, press releases, update of the UNU-EHS website, media briefings, etc.
• Coordinate and participate in ongoing project evaluation activities together with ICCCAD and MRF as well as document and assess lessons learned from research and community-based adaptation activities of the project.

Required qualifications and experience:

• PhD (completed or enrolled in programme) in Social Sciences, Geography, Economics, Environmental Science, or other relevant field with an emphasis on Disaster Risk Management, Adaptation to Climate Change, Resilience; with minimum of two (2) years of internationally recognized scientific working experience related to climate impacts, adaptation and risk management. 
• Demonstrated skill in use of social science and other relevant scientific methods to research adaptation-related questions (mixed methods approaches). Experience using participatory research approaches, qualitative and quantitative research (mapping, surveys, in depth interviews, storytelling, data analysis and management).
• Excellent communication and writing skills with fluency in spoken and written English and in a second UN language (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, English, French or Russian), as well as minimum basic knowledge in German and Bengali.
• Strong ability to carry out work independently and in an international team.
• Proven background and strong skills in managing projects in multicultural surrounding, preferably related to climate change impacts, resilience, early warning systems for weather-related risks, flood risk management, community-based adaptation.
• Knowledge in networking and collaborative projects and research.
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Extensive working experience in photography and filmmaking including editing skills of photo, video and audio material and capability of handling relevant software such as Photoshop, Final Cut, Audacity, etc.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office, etc.).

Desirable experience and competencies:

• Familiarity with UNFCCC climate negotiations; civil-society and private-sector activities related to adaptation and resilience; partner organizations in the project countries and wider network in development cooperation, adaptation and insurance. 
• Familiarity and established network with ongoing global climate policy framework discussions and desired outcomes of current key events such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, the International Conference for Financing and Development, the UN General Assembly’s articulation of the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals and the yearly session of the Conference of the Parties to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Strong network in disaster risk reduction and management and climate sciences.
• Research experience in Bangladesh and other development countries with extensive local knowledge and well connected to relevant national and local organizations.

Remuneration:Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Duration of contract:This is a full-time employment on a two- (2) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with the possibility of renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of appointments shall not exceed six (6) years.

This is a locally recruited post; no relocation 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

Starting date: As soon as possible

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to hrbonn@vie.unu.edu), 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; please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations 
• An indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2015/UNU/EHS/PSA/GPM/74).

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