Associate Academic Officer – Wellbeing, Indigenous knowledge, Sustainability and Equity Transformation Initiative (WISE) - PSA6

United Nations University (UNU)

UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, 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 the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, 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.

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.

Well-being, Indigenous knowledge, Sustainability and Equity (WISE):

Within UNU-EHS the “Well-being, Indigenous knowledge, Sustainability and Equity (WISE)” Division is a pioneering science-to-policy research area. WISE aspires towards a holistic, beyond-GDP assessment of the preconditions for well-being, sustainability and equity, leveraging on indigenous knowledge. To transform towards a WISE society, this emerging initiative intends to bring together a broad range of interdisciplinary scientific expertise and indigenous knowledge necessary to understand the interface between well-being, sustainability and equity.

Responsibilities

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

Contribute to the conceptualization and implementation of WISE Initiative

• Literature review in the areas of beyond GDP approach, concept of wellbeing and equity;
• Developing holistic data and policy models to weigh all dimensions of wellbeing, sustainability and equity for decision makers;
• Identifying indigenous and other non-rationalistic knowledge systems which contribute to the advancement of sustainability and fostering the inclusion of such knowledge systems in the current transformation debates and discussions, especially through the lens of decolonization;
• Leveraging indigenous and other non-rationalistic knowledge systems to enrich the current mainstream schools of thought in the areas of wellbeing, sustainability and equity and to enable cultural and mindset change towards sustainable and equitable societies focusing on wellbeing;
• Developing a compelling narrative for the holistic WISE framework through data, creative methods and story-telling; together with the Director;
• Contributing to the debate about and input into the post-2030 agenda based on WISE research; together with the Director.

Development of methodology

• Lead the development of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
• Lead the development of creative methodologies for innovative action research;
• Steer collaboration with other divisions to co-develop and intertwine methodologies as a basis for joint research and projects;

Contribute to project conception and fund raisin

• Conceptualization of research projects related to WISE;
• Identifying funding opportunities and proposal writing for Third Party funding;
• Support the Director with coordination with project partners together with other staff in the WISE team.
• Engage with other divisions including in risk and adaptation department to identify joint research topics.
• Co-supervise junior staff and student assistants as needed.

Contribute to training, teaching and outreach activities at UNU-EHS

• Contribute to different dialogue formats and organizing programme-related events and planning processes;
• Contribute to feeding project outputs into high-impact communication campaigns;
• Contribute to network building with wellbeing focused research groups and organisations.
• Feed WISE methodologies and research outcomes into teaching in the Joint Master of UNU-EHS

(Co-)Author research reports, policy briefs, factsheets, and presentations

• (Co-)author scientific articles and present results at scientific conferences;
• Contribute to reporting;

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

Timely and quality achievement of project indicators and submission of deliverables

Quality engagement with international and local project implementation partners

High level of academic excellence demonstrated by the timely and high quality of literature review, research design, publication of research outputs and teaching portfolio.Continuous increase in sustainable funding from diversified resources

Competencies

Values:

Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.

Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.

Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.

Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Qualifications

1) Education and certification

Ph.D. with high academic standing in social/environmental/psychology, behavioral science, cognitive studies, environmental education, education for sustainable development or another relevant field, with an emphasis on transformation theory, social-ecological change, indigenous knowledge and climate protection.

2) Required skills and experience

Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience, some of which preferably in an international setting is essential;

Strong methodological skillset for empirical research is essential;

Experience in working on transformation topics is an asset;

Proven experience in mixed-method research approaches is an asset;

Familiarity with concepts and methods in transformation research, climate change and human-nature relationship is an asset;

Excellent communication and writing skills (academic and non-academic);

Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, strong conceptual and drafting ability, interest in interdisciplinary and international work; Strong analytical skills

Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.