Research Associate (PSA-3)

UN University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability; Bonn; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A global research institute in Bonn is seeking a candidate for a position focused on urban sustainability transformation. The role involves contributing to research, conducting statistical analyses, and supporting project outcomes. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree and has experience in risk assessment, data management, and effective communication. This position offers competitive benefits including an attractive compensation package.

Leistungen

30 days annual leave

Health insurance scheme

Qualifikationen

• Completed Master’s degree with high academic standing.
• Minimum one year of experience in risk assessment.
• Strong methodological skills in statistical analysis.

Aufgaben

• Contribute to transformation research and policy development.
• Support urban sustainability transformation research frameworks.
• Conduct data collection and statistical analysis.

Kenntnisse

Statistical analysis

Data management

Interdisciplinary research

Communication skills

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management

Tools

Statistical software

Jobbeschreibung

United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy‑relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy‑relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)

UNU-EHS is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. The United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. The institute conducts research work focusing on advancing human security and well‑being by addressing present and future risks arising from environmental hazards and climate change. Its main areas of work are risk & adaptation and transformation. In addition to its research work, UNU‑EHS offers education opportunities at the master’s level and hosts a number of international PhD projects and capacity‑development courses on global issues of environmental risks and sustainable development. More information about UNU‑EHS can be found here: https://unu.edu/ehs.

Urban Futures and Sustainability Transformation (FAST) division

The FAST division researches systemic transformation toward sustainability to inform and enhance policy. The division seeks to understand complex realities by researching social, environmental and technological sub‑systems, such as infrastructure provision, social security mechanisms and related good governance approaches, with a focus on their inter‑linkages and dependencies. Thereby the division aims to advance system understanding and identify key leverage points for triggering change. The work is rooted in the understanding that sustainable futures require technological conversion coupled with social and environmental justice. This includes research into what lifestyles are desirable, affordable and just in a changing global environment, which in turn advances conceptual approaches to future well‑being. The core focus is on urban areas, which already see the effects of global change and are among its key drivers at the same time. Based on its own primary and transformative research, FAST will provide science‑based advice for inclusive urban policy action. The diverse project portfolio includes research in multiple cities and continents, including the Transformative Urban Coalitions (TUC) project, where new models of coalition building and governance are established and tested in Urban Labs. The division also engages in cross‑division projects such as the SAFER‑BiH project, which aims to provide risk‑informed, actionable knowledge to advance flood and earthquake risk governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly the Herzegovina‑Neretva Canton.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to transformation research, theory and policy development
• Support the development of UNU‑EHS and FAST’s strategic approach to urban sustainability transformation, and related research frameworks, with a focus on quantitative and statistical analysis methods;
• Contribute to theory and policy development by linking urban transformation research to other conceptual and empirical approaches, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, risk reduction and resilience building;
• Conduct desk reviews and analyses, including data collection from scientific and grey literature.
• Contribute to the SAFER‑BiH project on providing actionable knowledge to advance transformative risk governance
• Support the co‑creation of risk knowledge and the development of a spatial risk index for floods and earthquakes under the SAFER‑BiH Project on Risk‑Informed Planning in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including conceptual framework design, co‑creation of conceptual risk models, risk indicator development, and risk index creation;
• Assist in data collection from diverse sources, conduct basic statistical analysis and report data gaps to senior staff;
• Support in the development of assessments to capture risk driver interlinkages and spatial risk variation, under the guidance of senior staff;
• Contribute to capacity building and training activities within the project;
• Collaborate with the project lead to draw conclusions on the role of risk knowledge and perception for transformation behavior, as a basis for future proposals.
• Co‑author project outputs and contribute to outreach activities
• Assist in the preparation of scientific and policy publications under the guidance of senior staff;
• Support the preparation of materials for presenting project results at scientific and policy‑relevant conferences;
• Assist in the development of capacity building materials tailored to diverse audiences;
• Support the scaling of project results, particularly methodological approaches, to regional and global scales;
• Contribute to the organization of project‑related events, including workshops and conference sessions.
• Contribute to proposal writing and strategic engagement
• Provide administrative and logistical support to senior staff in identifying and pursuing funding opportunities from diverse sources, including various government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funding organizations; stay up to date with the latest funding trends and opportunities;
• Contribute to the preparation of writing funding proposals for various donors and partners, including UN agencies;
• Support proposal development, including partner and donor liaison, drafting and revisions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality collection and analysis of relevant primary and secondary data
• Timely and quality achievement of project objectives and submission of deliverables
• Meaningful contribution to project objectives, institute priorities and UNU mission
• Strengthened recognition of UNU as a reliable and trustworthy partner among research partners, governments, donors, and civil society

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

Education and certification

Completed Master’s degree with high academic standing in Geography, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, or other relevant fields.

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in risk assessment, including index‑based approaches and conceptual risk models;
• Strong methodological skill‑set in statistical analysis, data management and quantitative analysis is required; experience with indicator frameworks and indexes is an asset;
• Proven and strong experience in interdisciplinary and mixed‑method research is essential; experience in transdisciplinary projects is an asset;
• Experience in project proposal development is an asset;
• Knowledge of transformation/transition research, climate adaptation and mitigation and/or resilience framework is desirable;
• Excellent communication and writing skills for both academic and non‑academic audiences;

Other Desirable Skills

• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, initiative seeker, strong conceptual and drafting ability, interest in interdisciplinary and international work.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and German is required;
• Working level knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is desirable;
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years. This post is open to applicants from all countries and UNU will aid the successful applicant in securing a work visa for Germany, as necessary. It is, however, a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station will be Bonn, Germany.

Starting date

As soon as possible.

How To Apply

• Fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• Provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form);
• Provide a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• Answer a few questions that are tailored to the position;
• Apply via the apply link.

Application Deadline

25 November 2025. Submissions must be received by 00:00 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency‑based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero‑tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information About UNU Rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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