Under the authority of the Vice-Rector/Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Head of the EMIC section, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

Conduct quantitative, qualitative and policy-relevant research in the fields of Migration and Environment:

• Support the Section Head and team members to develop objectives, research questions, approaches and regional foci to address voluntary migration, displacement, planned relocation and immobility, decision-making, adaptation and loss and damage.
• Engage and track UNFCCC processes such as the COP and Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
• Support activities undertaken with other UNU-EHS Sections to exploit synergies in the EMIC section’s work.

Contribute to the successful implementation of two large EU-funded research projects - LOCOMOTION and RethinkAction:

• Work on a variety of project related tasks including research design, desk reviews, fieldwork, data analysis, attending project meetings, writing deliverable reports and dissemination.
• Undertake quantitative analysis of societal impacts of climate change to include impacts on migration, health and wellbeing.
• Conduct participatory research with stakeholders affected by climate change to understand their perspectives and needs related to land adaptation and mitigation solutions (LAMS) including fieldwork in Spain.

Support capacity building with focus on the below:

• Contribute to teaching on the Joint Masters on Environmental Risk with the University of Bonn.
• Contribute to Joint Masters theses supervision.
• Work with partners in developing countries in a bilateral manner to build knowledge and expertise.

Support communication, media and outreach activities:

• Contribute to publishing peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters in edited volumes and policy reports and briefs alone, with the Section and project consortium members.
• Attend or support presentations at academic and policy conferences, workshop and meetings to include UNFCCC processes and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD).
• Engage with social media to better explain the societal impacts of climate change and the links between migration and the environment to promote the research of the Section.

Contribute towards securing funding for the Section:

• Support Section members so to build relationships with potential partners to create consortia to seek funding.
• Support the Head of Section and senior team members to develop grant proposals for research projects (individual and in consortia).
• Support the EMIC team on consultancies and commissioned reports, if and when the work is of strategic use to the Section.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators:

• Intellectual contribution to the mission of the EMIC Section which is seen as a leader in its field.
• Successful and timely contribution to ongoing projects.
• Timely and quality delivery on teaching commitments, particularly those of the Joint Masters with the University of Bonn.
• Publications in journals and policy reports. Mentions of contributions in the media.
• Successful acquisition of long-term projects and short-term consultancies.

Experience:

• Relevant experience (1year desirable) in working on climate change or environmental mobility.
• Knowledge of quantitative (including modelling) and qualitative research methods.
• Experience in writing and presenting for academic and policy audiences.
• Experience in working on research projects
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Spanish will be an advantage
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.