Senior research fellow (P-5)

United Nations University; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 73,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Education grant

Removal expenses

Home leave

Joint Staff Pension

Job summary

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU‑WIDER) in Helsinki seeks a distinguished Senior Research Fellow to support its research and training programme. You will contribute to the programme, guide publications, and engage with international partners to advance development economics.

You will teach, supervise PhD students, represent UNU‑WIDER at events, and help secure research funding.

Qualifications

• PhD in Economics, Development Economics, Political Science, or a related Social Science field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively relevant professional work experience, including the management of research and training programmes.
• A strong background in applied research in an international environment with demonstrated quantitative skills of the highest international level, and a proven track record of high‑quality academic and policy publications.
• Excellent 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 in development.
• Considerable teaching and research supervision experience.
• Experience in managing research projects or programmes and seeking research funding from donors and international funding agencies.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Contribute substantially to the Institute’s research programme, assume intellectual leadership, and take responsibility for the formulation, implementation, publications, dissemination and evaluation of research programmes/projects with internal and external research teams.
• Coordinate and implement conference, communication 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.
• Represent the Institute in both local and international research, policy and outreach events, and prepare presentations and speeches for specialist and non‑specialist audiences.
• Support the fund‑raising activities of the Institute.
• Draft research and management reports.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Academic publishing

Communication

Teamwork

Education

PhD in Economics

Job description

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to support the research and training programme of the Institute.

United Nations University objectives

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 solutions to the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. 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 freely available original research.

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to support the research and training programme of the Institute. For more information on UNU-WIDER and its work programme, please visit www.wider.unu.edu .

Responsibilities

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

• Contribute substantially to the Institute’s research programme, assume intellectual leadership, and take responsibility for the formulation, implementation, publications, dissemination and evaluation of research programmes/projects with internal and external research teams;
• Coordinate and implement conference, communication 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;
• Represent the Institute in both local and international research, policy and outreach events, and prepare presentations and speeches for specialist and non‑specialist audiences;
• Support the fund‑raising activities of the Institute;
• Draft research and management reports;
• 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 ten (10) years of progressively relevant professional work experience, including the management of research and training programmes;
• A strong background in applied research in an international environment with demonstrated quantitative skills of the highest international level, and a proven track record of high‑quality academic and policy publications;
• Excellent 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 in development;
• Considerable teaching and research supervision experience;
• Experience in managing research projects or programmes and seeking research funding from donors and international funding agencies;
• 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-5 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 of UNU 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 with the possibility of renewal on a fixed‑term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of fixed‑term appointments not exceeding six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for 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.

Organizational unit

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

Reference number

2016/UNU/WIDER/FTA/SRF/16