October 11, 2018     Accra

The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) is currently looking for an outstanding individual to fill the position of Research Fellow, Land and Water Resources.

 Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Director of UNU-INRA, the Research Fellow for Land and Water Resources will:

• Lead in the review and coordination of research activities of the institute in the thematic area of land and water resources
• Provide relevant empirical based research that will enable the understanding of climate and non- climate related stressors that are resulting in land degradation, loss of ecosystem and biodiversity and key threats to land restoration, sustainable land management and good environmental stewardship for Africa’s natural resource management
• Analyse current mega trends (climate change, population growth, rapid urbanization) that can impact on land and sustainable land management in Africa
• Produce and conduct relevant research on land and water that will support African governments in harnessing their resource endowments, unlock bottlenecks in market-oriented production systems, and enable better management of water and soil resources to diversify land-based livelihood activities
• Produce relevant research on land-based mitigation strategies that will address problems related to unsustainable management of croplands, land degradation, deforestation and inefficient use of water
• Conduct research on land and water resource problems and analyse related policies to enable the adoption of climate smart agricultural policies; effective food security strategies and transition towards land based mitigation activities in agriculture, bioenergy, water and forestry. Coordinate and support development of methodologies for the management of land and water resources
• Create awareness, train national collaborators, and provide guidelines for effective implementation of land and water resources with a view to ensuring sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and maintenance of environmental quality
• Supervise graduate students in their research work
• Develop research and training proposals for funding
• Plan, organize and participate in national and sub-regional conferences/meetings/workshops
• Prepare and publish research outputs in high quality publications, including peer-reviewed journals, extension and
• Perform any other professional duties as may be required by the Director of UNU-INRA.

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD degree in Agricultural Sciences (Agronomy, Crop Sciences, Soil Sciences or a related discipline)

• At least six years of relevant work experience in the bio-physical aspects of natural resource management and conservation problems, preferably in an international environment;

• Demonstrated competence in and knowledge of geographical information systems and remote sensing methods
• Good computer application skills and use of statistical packages
• Good writing, presentation and communication skills; and demonstrated experience in organizing training workshops, conferences, and fundraising activities, as well as forging partnerships with international agencies, national institutions and NGOs
• Good working knowledge of English is essential; knowledge of French would be an advantage
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and under tight deadlines, and
• Proven interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration:

The remuneration will commensurate with academic qualification and experience

Duration of contract:

This is a full time employment comprising on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-INRA, with the possibility for contract renewal subject to satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.

This is a locally recruited post; no relocation expenses or allowances apply. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.

Starting date: By January 2, 2019.

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants should submit their applications, preferably by e-mail (to recruit-inra@unu.edu ) or mail, and must include the following:

• a cover letter setting out how qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
• a full contact information of three referees, and the application must also indicate the reference number of the vacancy announcement 2018/UNU/INRA/PSA/RF(LWR)/81

The full call for application document is available at the related files tab.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted; unsuccessful applications can neither be acknowledged nor returned.