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INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT Hamilton, Canada
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT PROJECT OFFICER (Personnel Service Agreement – PSA) Organizational Unit
Reference Number Applications to Closing Date
: United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU‐INWEH) : 2016/UNU/INWEH/PSA/PO/84 :
[email protected] : 9 December 2016 Only short‐listed candidates will be notified.
United Nations University: The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and capacity development and 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. For more information please visit http://unu.edu. United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU‐INWEH): The UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (http://inweh.unu.edu/) is a member of the United Nations University family of organizations. It is a UN think tank on water. Its vision is a world free of water problems where sustainable human development and environmental health and security are assured for all. Its mission is to help resolve pressing water challenges of concern to the UN Member States. UNU‐ INWEH is supported by the Government of Canada and hosted by McMaster University. The three core functions of UNU‐INWEH are: (a) knowledge‐based synthesis – derived from applied research and existing bodies of scientific discovery and achieved through research networks and engagement with communities of practice; (b) research‐policy bridging – identifying holistic solutions to water‐related challenges and emerging policy issues at national to international scales; and (c) application and implementation of on‐the‐ground, scalable solutions to enhance the capacity of institutions and individuals in developing countries to better understand and manage their water‐related challenges. UNU‐INWEH works on two broadly defined, interconnected areas ‐ water and ecosystems, and water and human development – and operates through a set of projects that address specific water‐related global or Page 1 of 3
regional issues. From 2017 onwards, UNU‐INWEH intends to put more emphasis on innovative ways to manage freshwater resources variability at large and water‐related disasters‐ in particular ‐ through ecosystem‐focused solutions, under current and changing climates. This research will aim to help alleviate water‐related tension and conflicts, and contribute to enhanced water security of nations. This new direction will complement the current work on safeguarding and sustaining water availability, contributing to improved food security and while safeguarding ecosystem services, and accelerating the achievement of water‐related sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030. Responsibilities: We are looking for an outstanding individual committed to policy‐relevant research, international capacity development and with extensive international networks – to help develop this new dimension of UNU‐ INWEH programme. Under the authority of the Director of UNU‐INWEH, the Project Officer will develop the above dimension and will also provide strong support to other UNU‐INWEH projects – across the programme. The incumbent will take responsibility for the following: Serve as an integral member of the UNU‐INWEH team; Contribute to the development of a dynamic portfolio of projects and initiatives that address water variability as the major impediment for development and as a contributor to increasing global water scarcity, while considering climate change impacts in the broadest sense; Explore innovative and ecosystem‐focused ways of managing water‐related disasters – in particular floods and droughts as extremes of water variability; Lead the fundraising efforts in the above arears and contribute to overall fundraising activities at UNU‐INWEH; Communicate research findings and project accomplishments at scientific meetings and international fora; Publish research results in a variety of outlets ranging from peer‐reviewed journals to synthesis and donor reports, blogs and policy briefs; Coordinate and organize meetings, workshops and conferences; Supervise interns and students involved in UNU‐INWEH projects; and Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director of UNU‐INWEH. Qualifications and Requirements: A Ph.D. in the field of Hydrology, Water Resources; or a related discipline; At least five (5) years post‐Ph.D. work experience in water resources research in the context of managing water resources variability and extremes, climate change impacts on water resources, water security and water conflict resolution. Preference will be given to those with relevant working experience in handling project management, financial and administrative work in an international environment; Ability to identify important emerging trends in the water sector and to carry out analytical research utilizing the variety of data and information sources to distill policy‐relevant messages; A high‐quality publication record on the above and related topics to raise resources. Ability to produce a range of quality written products – from peer‐reviewed papers to provocative op‐eds and blog posts is an added advantage; Strong public outreach record and ability to present research outputs to a variety of national and international audiences; A record of successful fundraising for international projects and good understanding of various donor priorities and operation. Excellent networking skills, and ability to mobilize support for UNU‐INWEH; Page 2 of 3
Experience of working in developing countries and commitment to capacity development; Knowledge of one of more of the following areas is an advantage: i) remote sensing and GIS methods and tools; ii) international water law; Ability to understand the issues of other disciplines, beyond the core set of skills, and to work across disciplines, is an added advantage; Familiarity with Results Based Management is considered an advantage; Result‐oriented and self‐motivated with the ability to prioritize work and multi‐task; Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi‐cultural and multi‐ ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; and Fluent in oral and written English; knowledge of any other UN official languages is an advantage.
Remuneration: Remuneration will commensurate with qualification and experience of the successful candidate. The salary is exempt from Canadian income taxes. Duration of the Contract: This is a full time employment on a two (2) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU‐ INWEH, with the possibility for renewal subject to fund availability and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of this appointment shall not exceed six (6) years, as per the UNU Personnel Policy. The successful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. Starting Date: April 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter Application Procedure: Interested applicants should submit their applications by e‐mail in the form of an Adobe Acrobat PDF file to
[email protected]. Applications must include the following: A separate cover letter setting out how the applicant’s qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position; A completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from UNU website. Do not use similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations and do not submit your curriculum vitae; An indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2016/UNU/INWEH/PSA/PO/84)
Applications that do not include all of the requested information will not be considered. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations ‐ Chapter 3, article 8).
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