Research Manager – Scientific support to the Deputy Director

The department Risk and Adaptation focuses on understanding and addressing interconnected risks and the adverse impacts of climate change in science and policy based on a variety of different, yet complementary work streams. These include, inter alia, (i) understanding and assessing systemic risk, (ii) developing pathways to sustainability, (iii) supporting the international regime to respond to climate impacts, (iv) fostering governance and the uptake of climate and disaster finance, (v) understanding human mobility and immobility in context of climate change, (vi) assessing and developing ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and adaptation, (vii) understanding and assessing loss and damage, and (vii) enhancing climate risks analytics and forecasting, with a focus on regions which are strongly exposed to the adverse impacts of climate change and disaster risk, such as cities, mountains, river basins and the low-lying coasts.

Interconnected Disaster Risk report

• Interconnected Disaster Risks is an annual science-based report designed to be accessible for the general public. It is published by the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security, and was first released in 2021. The idea for the report was developed based on the recognition that disasters are occurring at an ever-faster rate and, despite progress being made in how we prepare and respond to them, we are continuously being caught out by new extremes and new emerging threats. The report is based on thorough scientific analysis and includes technical background reports for each of the cases. For more information

Responsibilities

• Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

Provide scientific support to the Deputy Director in the area of Risk and Adaptation

• Co-shape relevant and emerging research streams;
• Lead scientific reviews and background searches; synthetize information;
• Scope new opportunities in the field of risk and adaptation;
• Author or co-author scientific papers, policy briefs in areas of risk and adaptation;
• Develop content for teaching in the fields of Risk and Adaptation.

Provide scientific support to the Department Risk and Adaptation

• Prepare content and follow-up on deliverables for regular “Risk and Adaptation” department meetings in relation to their scientific content;
• Coordinate inputs from and for internal stakeholders on risk and adaptation;

Contribute to the development of the annual Interconnected Disaster Risk report

• Co-shape research content of the annually changing theme of the report in the realm of interconnected disasters risks;
• Identify and develop possible interventions and ways of systemic change in the context of changing risks;
• Synthetize research results and identify patterns across different cases;
• Lead technical background papers as first author or co-author;
• Manage references and databases;
• Respond to editorial comments, revise the documents as needed.

Contribute to the outreach of the Deputy Director and the Interconnected Disaster Risk report

• Prepare scientific presentations and scientific inputs to relevant processes;
• Prepare background briefing documents;
• Shape the scientific input to the visualization and the development of communication products;
• Co-develop the communication materials related to the body of academic work by providing input, fact checking and liaising closely with the UNU-EHS communication section;
• Serve as one of the spokespersons for the communication of the results of the Interconnected Disaster Risk report.

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality collection, synthesis and generation of scientific information
• Timely and quality delivery of reports, presentation and communication products
• High quality engagement with project team and implementation partners
• Contribution to project, institute and UNU mission.

Qualifications

Education and certification

• Completed Master’s degree with high academic standing in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Science, or other relevant discipline

Required skills and experience

• At least 1 year work experience in the field of systemic risk research, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation is required;
• Strong methodological skillset for quantitative or qualitative empirical research in the above areas of work is required;
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information, and to translate into impactful communication products such as publications/reports/presentations for scientific and general audiences is required;
• Strong interpersonal skills to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity is required;
• Strong ability to carry out work independently by meeting deadlines is required;
• Proficient user knowledge of reference management programs (e.g. Citavi or similar) is required;
• Experience with project managements software (e.g. Asana or similar) is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in working as a member of a science and communication project team, high awareness of the various needs of different target audiences is an asset;
• Experience with media interviews is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent spoken and written English is required;
• Fluency in another UN official working language is an asset.

Source: https://careers.unu.edu//o/research-manager-scientific-support-to-the-deputy-director-psa5