Vacancies
Research Fellow P-4

About UN University

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 SDGs, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information please visit www.unu.edu.

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as original research that is ‘open access’. More information on UNU-WIDER’s current work programme, is available on the institute's website.

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to support the 2019–23 research programme as well as the training programme and communication activities of the Institute. Further information on the 2019–23 work programme is provided below.

The 2019–23 Work Programme

Current plans for the 2019–23 UNU-WIDER research programme centre on three key development challenges: (i) Transforming Economies; (ii) Transforming States, and (iii) Transforming Societies, with three cross-cutting concerns: (a) Fragility and Risk; (b) Empowerment, and (c) Knowledge and Capacity. Specific sub-topics to be covered in the work programme include: informality; productive job creation; public expenditure and tax incidence; the causes and consequences of state ineffectiveness; market failures and ways to correct or compensate for them; the management of natural resource wealth; women’s economic and social empowerment; social mobility, migration, and environment, energy and climate.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of the Institute, the Research Fellow will:

• Contribute effectively to the Institute’s research programme, and the publication of high-quality research outputs in the UNU-WIDER publication series.
• Manage research projects under the UNU-WIDER programme with internal and external research teams.
• Organize, and participate in, local and international research, policy and outreach events.
• Assist in preparing and implementing conference, communications and meeting activities vis-à-vis UNU-WIDER’s target audiences: researchers, international development agencies, and national decision makers.
• Carry out teaching, training, and supervision within the capacity-building programme of the Institute, including guidance of junior researchers and PhD students.
• Draft research and project management reports.
• Prepare presentations and speeches for specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in Economics, Development Economics, Political Science, or a related Social Science field.
• A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively relevant professional work experience, including the management of research and training programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out and manage development research activities in an international environment.
• A proven track record of academic and policy publications.
• Good knowledge of the international research and policy agenda in areas related to the Institute’s research programme — including, in particular, the analysis of inequality and gender issues in development.
• Teaching and research supervision experience.
• Excellent communications and drafting skills, with fluency in both oral and written English. Knowledge of other official UN languages would be an asset.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration

We offer a competitive net salary (tax exempted) at P-4 level and allowances including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.

The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common Systems, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave. For more information, please visit http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm.

The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for a period of one (1) year, which can be extended subject to conditions established in the UNU guidelines, with the combined duration of fixed-term appointments not exceeding six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for newly recruited United Nations staff is 65 years.

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Application procedure

Interested applicants should submit their applications online using the 'Apply here' link on the left side column and must upload the following:

• A cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position.
• A completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) downloadable from UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations.
• A list of publications.
• An up-to-date CV.
• A copy of highest educational degree obtained.

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).