Country: Germany
Closing date: 01 Aug 2016
United Nations University’s Mission: 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. For more information, please visit www.unu.edu.
UNU-EHS, established in December 2003, addresses the risk and vulnerability aspects of human security and the consequences of complex environmental hazards for sustainable development. The work of UNU‐EHS helps to improve the in‐depth understanding of the cause effect relationships to find ways to reduce risks and vulnerabilities. The Institute supports policymakers and decision makers with evidence‐based research and information.
EVES section explores environmental deterioration processes such as water and land degradation. Particularly, the section looks at remedial measures, resources availability and robustness of ecosystem services, all within the context of socio ecological systems affected by environmental hazards.
Project context: Catalyzing action towards sustainability of deltaic systems with an integrated modelling framework for risk assessment (DELTAS)
The project aims to develop a versatile modeling framework to evaluate the unique functioning, critical stressors, and vulnerability of the deltas globally. The framework will consider social, economic, physical and ecosystem data into an open-access repository and will allow planners to model and deliver optimized, viable solutions for their specific regions. The framework will initially be applied to three case-study deltas for which local and regional partnerships are already in place, namely the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM), Mekong, and Amazon deltas. Within the international consortium, UNU-EHS is responsible for the development of Global Delta Vulnerability Indices (Delta-GDVI).
Responsibilities:
Contribute to the indicator development and data acquisition with following tasks:
• Contribute to the literature review on vulnerability indicators published in the context of the Amazon Delta in English AND Portuguese language;
• Search for suitable secondary sub-national data for identified vulnerability indicators from various sources (geoportals, databases, statistical publications, policy documents etc.; mostly in Portuguese language);
• Collect and store the data;
• Conduct data entry when the data is not available in an excel-spreadsheet;
• Conduct data cleaning and validation, including conversion of data in Geographic Information System (GIS)-ready formats;
• Support the correspondence with partners, organizations and authorities in Brazil (in English and Portuguese) to find missing data and validate data;
• Contribute to the development and application of indicator-based spatial multi-hazard vulnerability assessments (mainly focused on the Amazon delta);
• Any other duties as may be assigned or required.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Field of Study: Geography, Geoinformatics, Social Sciences, Environmental sciences with social sciences minors, or a related field.
Essential Skills and attributes:
• Excellent command of English and Portuguese
• Experience in data collection and management
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Proven record of computer proficiency (particularly strong skills in excel),
• Willingness to learn new technology skills and methods
Desired Skills:
• Background in vulnerability assessments and indicator development is an asset
• Ability to work independently
• An interest in scientific research and science-policy-interaction
• Willingness to work in a culturally diverse environment
Teaching/learning objectives:
• Work with the concepts of vulnerability and ecosystem services;
• Apply an indicator-based spatial approach to assess vulnerability;
• Improve ability to search, collect, store and manage large amounts of data;
• Acquire knowledge and gain hands-on experience related to international governmental organization processes;
• Understanding of the project work and related activities of UNU and the UN System;
• Gain work experience within UN international working environment.
Duration:
The successful candidate will be based at UNU-EHS in Bonn on a full-time basis (40 hours per week) for a contractual period ranging between 3-6 months. The internship is not remunerated.
Starting Date: As soon as possible
How to apply:
Application Procedure: By email to: internship-applications@ehs.unu.edu
STAGE 1 (Application Submission)
Interested Applicants must submit by email to internship-applications@ehs.unu.edu :
• A completed internship application form
• Résumé/CV in English
• Motivation/Cover letter: outlining your motivations, possible contributions to the programme and future career goals
• Two letters of recommendation
• If applying to a specific internship posting, please quote the reference number in the email subject line
Only digital versions sent via email will be accepted. We do not accept applications sent via post.
If applying to a specific internship posting with a clearly stated deadline, application packets must be received by the date of deadline at 23:59 CET (Central European Time).
STAGE 2 (Interviews)
If your background matches the needs of the section, you will be shortlisted for the position. Shortlisted candidates will receive an email notification from UNU-EHS/ViE to schedule a date and time for the interview, which will be conducted via Skype or telephone.
In some cases, when a specific skill is required for a position, shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide additional materials so that this skill may be assessed. For example, testing translation skills.
STAGE 3 (Acceptance)
After interviews have been conducted, all those candidates who were interviewed will receive an email notification regarding their application status. Successful candidates will be offered an internship position and contract for the duration of 3 to 6 months.
For more information about the UNU-EHS internship programme, please visit the website: ehs.unu.edu/about/internship
Workforce diversity is essential to UNU. Suitably qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds including minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Unsuccessful applications will not be acknowledged nor returned.
If you have any questions, please contact us at internship-applications@ehs.unu.edu.