STUDENT ASSISTANT at 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 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. For more information, please visit www.ehs.unu.edu.

Environmental Vulnerability & Ecosystem Services (EVES) Section:

EVES explores environmental deterioration processes such as water and land degradation. Particularly, the section looks at remedial measures, resources availability and robustness of ecosystem services, all within the context of socio-ecological systems affected by environmental hazards.

The GLASCA Project: “Water Availability in Central Asia – Societal Vulnerability to Changing Glacier and Snowmelt Runoff Contributions to Central Asian Rivers (GlaSCA)”aims at establishing an interdisciplinary research consortium uniting German and Central Asian scientists from different countries which will (1) address the quantification of the glacier and snowmelt contribution to river runoff in the region and (2) assess the societal vulnerability to changes in runoff amount and seasonal distribution. Focusing on a catchment of the Ala-Archa River located on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Range near Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) an interdisciplinary pilot study aiming at the quantification of the glacier melt, snowmelt, groundwater and rainfall contribution to river runoff and investigate their temporal and spatial variability will be carried out. This will be based on the characterization of the dependencies on water availability and its temporal variability, vulnerability of downstream communities, including different economic sectors and societal groups, to changes in water availability and in the variability of glacier and snowmelt contribution. Based on this knowledge, preliminary societal vulnerability indices will be derived, that can be applied for the assessment of global change impact on water resources in Central Asian countries.

Within the frame of the GLASCA project, UNU-EHS offers one position for a Student Assistant.

Responsibilities:

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the supervision and guidance of Head of the EVES Section, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

• Contribute to the development of a research design for an indicator-based vulnerability assessment;
• Conduct background literature searches in the context of vulnerability and risk assessment, critically review and compile the existing literature;
• Conduct field research in the study area and in the capital (expert interviews, workshop, household interviews)
• Compile and edit data (field data, household surveys etc.);
• Search for secondary data from various sources, data collection and mining;
• Work with spatial data and prepare maps;
• Prepare project reports, publications, where needed;
• Any other duties may be assigned or required.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Geography, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences with minor in Social Sciences (or equivalent);
• Very good command of oral and written English, very good command of Kyrgyz and/ or Russian;
• Proven knowledge on vulnerability assessment and indicator development;
• Experience with questionnaire design and workshops;
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Experience with field research in Central Asia is an asset;
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools would be desirable.

Remuneration:

800 EUR per month

Duration of Contract:

The successful candidate will be based at UNU-EHS in Bonn on a part-time (20 hour per week) basis under the Consultant Contract (CTC) category for a period of 12 months with the possibility of extension up to 20 months.

This is a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor is he/she 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 (preferably 01 May 2015)

HOW TO APPLY:

Application Procedure:

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 downloadable from the UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;

· an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2015/UNU/EHS/CTC/SA/27).