Research Fellow (P-4) Climate Change

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission 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, United Nations University (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, 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 World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

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. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available at www.wider.unu.edu.

Responsibilities 

1. Establish, develop, and lead a research programme and associated projects on the links between climate change, just transition and distributional outcomes in developing countries, with a specific focus on environmental taxation

• Design a research programme in line with the Institute’s work programme 2024-2028 and conduct research activities to advance the programme in collaboration with UNU-WIDER’s Research Unit.
• Design, implement and manage research projects, commission research papers and build collaborative networks to advance the overall aim of the research programme.
• Identify and contribute to emerging issues in the field of just transition and distributional outcomes in developing countries that are of interest to key stakeholders, including the United Nations, member states, and national and international policymakers, and subsequently articulate policies, strategies, and approaches to address them; and
• Line manage staff within this research team, setting and monitoring team objectives, including identifying training and/or development requirements and performance management issues as appropriate.

2. Institutional Development

• Support the Director and Deputy Director with the shaping and implementation of the Institute’s strategic and implementation plans, especially in relation to the theme of just transition.
• Act as a Certifying Officer on behalf of the Director of UNU-WIDER.
• Actively contribute to an inclusive and diverse international work environment.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

• Oversee the development of and managing of strategic partners and collaborators within the theme of just transition.
• Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journal articles, books, reports, and policy briefs and actively represent the Institute by presenting research findings and policy recommendations when appropriate.
• Lead and collaborate with the Partnerships and Programme Unit to establish contacts with the national, and international scientific community, and open new opportunities for the Institute in the area of just transition.

4. Capacity Development

• Support the advancement of the Institute’s capacity development programmes, including the visiting PhD and visiting scholars programmes.
• Conduct policy analysis and advise on policy issues relevant to the relationship between climate change, just transition and distributional outcomes in developing countries.
• Manage the design and implementation of capacity development activities to advance the research programme and associated projects such as organising workshops, meetings, symposiums, and field activities; and
• Engage in international policy processes and agendas of relevance based on the research programme.

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Development and implementation of a high-quality research programme for UNU-WIDER on the relationship between climate change, just transition, environmental taxation, and distributional outcomes in developing countries, including the delivery of research outputs, policy advice and capacity development.
• A high level of academic excellence as seen by the publication of research outputs.
• Successful recruitment to and management of the theme on just transition.
• Contribution to the positive reputation of UNU-WIDER 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