Job: Research Fellow,

Location: Barcelona, Spain
Deadline: Friday, 30 August 2013 

Description

Overview Applications procedure Related Files Contact

• POSITION:

  Personnel Service Agreement

  REFERENCE NO.:

  2013/UNU/GCM/PSA/RF/45

  LOCATION:

  Barcelona, Spain

  CLOSING DATE:

  August 30, 2013

  United Nations University objectives
  

  The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU 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.

  UNU Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility (UNU-GCM)

  The United Nations University Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility (UNU-GCM) in Barcelona is a research centre focusing on the key areas of globalization, culture and mobility. As such, it follows a structured research focus on globalization, culture and mobility through the implementation of key research programmes. These include a focus on the Western and Eastern Mediterranean on both shores, as well as on the global north and south. Research programmes underway and in the pipeline at UNU-GCM focus on migration, media and intercultural dialogue; statelessness and transcontinental migration; female agency, mobility and sociocultural change; the sociocultural impacts of the global economic crisis on migration. More information of research at UNU-GCM can be obtained from http://gcm.unu.edu.

   

  Research programmes are comprised of a series of inter-related research projects, undertaken by Research Fellows, each with specific outputs that aim to inform policy-making, to contribute to existing scholarship in the relevant areas, to act as a resource for the UN system and to work in partnership with wider academic and non-academic communities locally and globally. UNU-GCM actively supports the dissemination of knowledge and information through a variety of publications and visual means. Research Fellows engage actively in a range of projects to be agreed with the Director aimed at producing and disseminating cutting-edge knowledge, as well as at informing the formation of policy.

   

  UNU-GCM seeks applications for a Research Fellow in the areas specified above.
  

  Responsibilities

  Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of UNU-GCM, the successful candidate shall be entrusted with the following tasks:
  

  • Be closely involved in the planning and implementation of research programmes in one of the relevant thematic areas of UNU-GCM;
  • Attend meetings and discussions with key people related to the research projects and activities;
  • Plan, coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness of research workshops and other activities;
  • Contribute regularly to the research outputs of UNU-GCM as agreed with the Director;
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of research data;
  • Produce policy-related reports on related research projects;
  • Disseminate research publications locally and internationally thorough publications, participation in conferences and other means;
  • Collaborate on project planning and project administration;
  • Be closely involved in the various research activities of the Institute;
  • Be involved and assist in organizing capacity building activities, workshops and conferences in the relevant research programmes of the Institute;
  • Be proactive in seeking external funding for agreed research projects that fall within the scope of UNU-GCM's research programmes;
  • Undertake supervision of postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates in the Institute as required;
  • Reside full-time in Barcelona for the duration of the contract; some international travel may be required;
  • Assist the Director in liaising with potential donors and collaborators for the Institute; and
  • Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by the Director.

  Required qualifications and experience
  

  • A PhD degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences, such as Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Geography, Media and Communications, Economics, Law, Human Rights, or a related discipline on a topic that directly addresses questions of culture and mobility in the contemporary world;
  • At least two (2) to three (3) years of progressively responsible relevant postgraduate work experience;
  • Be familiar with interdisciplinary research methodologies and conceptual frameworks;
  • Have a sound record of scholarly publication of the above mentioned research areas;
  • Have experience of working in think thanks and writing policy reports;
  • Have experience in conference organization and maintaining relations with external organizations working in the areas of mobility and culture will be an advantage;
  • Some administrative experience is required, since the post includes responsibilities relating to the administration of the research projects;
  • Good knowledge and hands-on experience in the use of MS Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.);
  • Be proactive, imaginative and dynamic, willing to engage fully in the work of the Institute and to work in a team, being involved with all aspects of the Institute's work, as well as to produce research scholarship and policy reports of the highest level;
  • Excellent communication and drafting skills, with proficiency in both oral and written English, and working knowledge in Spanish are required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an asset;
  • Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
    

  Remuneration
  

  The position carries a salary of EUR 4,235 per month (this includes a basic salary and additional cover for the costs of their legal status in Spain). There are no other financial allowances of benefits.

   

  The successful candidate will be responsible for arranging their tax liabilities, taking into account the fact that the contract signed with UNU will categorize them as freelancers under Spanish Law. The salary on offer from UNU includes cover for the cost of this status.
  

  Duration of contract
  

  This is a full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-GCM, with the possibility of 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. UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

   

  Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.

  Starting date
  

  It is expected that the appointee will take up the position on 1 November 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter, subject to negotiation.

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