Job: Green Growth Knowledge Platform Research Officer

Location: Geneva
Closing Date: Friday, 29 November 2013

Organization: Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

Location: Geneva - GGKP Secretariat

Assignment: Fulltime Employment

Position Number: GGGI-HR_13-202

Closing Date: 29 November 2013

INTRODUCTION

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is an international organization dedicated to green growth. Headquartered in Seoul, it is a new, hybrid international organization – interdisciplinary, multistakeholder and driven by the priorities of emerging and developing economies – established by an initial group of eighteen governments pursuant to a treaty signed at the United Nations Rio+20 Conference in June 2012.

GGGI is dedicated to helping governments and industry pioneer and diffuse a new model of economic growth, green growth, that integrates ambitions for strong economic and environmental performance to achieve poverty reduction, job creation and social inclusion, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, addressing biodiversity loss and resource security. GGGI's approach is particularly suited to developing countries as we believe growth is an essential ingredient in economic and human development.

GGGI's theory of change leads it to focus on three major outcomes: (1) adoption and implementation of rigorous green growth plans based on strong analytics that form the core of national and provincial economic development strategies in emerging and developing economies; (2) research which builds a strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers; and (3) public-private partnerships that enable the scaling of resource-efficient investment, innovation and practice in key industry sectors as well as the engagement of companies in the implementation of national and subnational green growth plans.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

The Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) was launched in January 2012 and as a ground breaking partnership between 18 leading international organizations, research institutions and think tanks focused on promoting collaborative research and knowledge sharing on green growth theory and practice. Its founding members, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank comprise GGKP's Governing Council, and provide strategic direction and oversight for the initiative.

The GGKP focuses on knowledge generation, knowledge management and knowledge sharing, specifically around the following three overarching objectives:

1. Collaboratively identify knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice;
2. Catalyze knowledge generation to address these gaps; and
3. Share and disseminate green growth knowledge.

Working to achieve these overarching objectives, the Research Officer will have overall responsibility for leading the Knowledge Generation activities of the GGKP, primarily through the formation and management of GGKP research committees and the commissioning of research stemming from these committees. The GGKP research committees are comprised of thematic experts from GGKP partner institutions, members of the GGKP Advisory Committee, or elsewhere. Research committees are responsible for two deliverables.

First, each committee is expected to deliver a scoping study that identifies and prioritizes gaps in knowledge on the committee's theme and identifies the means and group of actors (e.g. research institutes; academics, international institutions) required to address these gaps. Delivery of the study will include developing the terms of reference for commissioning the study and providing quality assurance for the study. The actual commissioning of the study will be managed by the GGKP Secretariat.

The second deliverable is the process of engagement and collaboration between GGKP partners and experts in developing the scoping studies and the process of working within the committee to identify a collaborative and coordinated response.

Depending on the nature of the response and the interest in the committee to continue their efforts, a number of other deliverables could be envisioned to respond to the identified gaps, including: a) working papers; b) policy tools; and c) data generation.

The GGKP Research Officer will be expected to manage the research committees from inception through to the final deliverables.

The Research Officer should keep abreast of the latest developments in Green Growth research and provide guidance to the Secretariat on appropriate research committee themes and experts.

In addition, the Research Officer will have a key role to play through the GGKP Web Platform, assisting the knowledge manager in the gathering and curation of new research and producing thought pieces, or syntheses, of important papers and developments. The Research Officer will manage the web content on pages specifically dedicated to the GGKP Research Committees.

The Research Officer will be based in Geneva with the GGKP Secretariat Manager.

Principal duties will include:

• Lead the development and implementation of the GGKP Secretariat's Research work program, including providing strategic advice to the Secretariat and Council.
• Manage GGKP Research Committees:
  • Oversee the nomination and selection of co- chairs and research committee members, including obtaining GGKP Council approval for the selections.
  • Facilitate and support the work of the Research Committees- ensure that key milestones and deadlines are met by the committees and preparing background materials and meeting summaries as needed by the co-chairs.
  • Work with the GGKP Secretariat Administrative Assistant to set up Research Committee calls and meetings as required.
• Commission research based on the outputs from the Research Committees.
• Identify possible research funding institutions and facilitate their engagement with GGKP Research Committees.
• Lead the production, including planning, coordinating or commissioning of a yearly set of research papers around the GGKP's Annual Conference theme. This work should be undertaken in close cooperation with the GGKP Research Committees, Secretariat and Partners.
• Produce high-quality and timely thought pieces and syntheses of major Green Growth research for the GGKP Web Platform and for dissemination via the GGKP newsletter.
• Manage the Research Committee sections of the GGKP Web Platform. Ensure that these sections are comprehensive and up to date.
• Work with the Knowledge Manager to identify new relevant research on green growth and in particular to select and summarise 'featured' research.
• Represent GGKP where necessary at external conferences and workshops.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Postgraduate degree in relevant subject. (Economics, Environment, Public Policy or related field). Experience: 7-12 years experience in a relevant field. Languages: Fluent English required additional languages an advantage.

Background and skills:

Essential

1. Experience in empirical research, data analysis and writing evidence-based reports and policy materials with practical recommendations.
2. Experience in Green Growth research and analysis and strong sense of remaining questions and research gaps around green growth.
3. Experience in working on projects with colleagues across different organizations, including experience in jointly drafting reports.
4. Solid understanding of organizations and research institutions producing research on green growth internationally.
5. Exceptional communication and presentation skills both written and verbal.
6. Strong project management skills and ability to deliver ideally across multiple international stakeholders;
7. Proven track record of building successful collaborative relationships.

Preferred

1. Strong existing network in the green growth / green economy field.
2. Proven ability to work in a 'virtual' team across multiple locations.
3. Experience in organizing conferences, events and workshops

HOW TO APPLY

• Interested candidates should apply to: recruiting@gggi.org
• Please submit CV and Cover Letter in English. (should be merged into one file) including the position number in subject line.
• GGGI will contact only candidates with whom GGGI will have further discussions.
• For more information on GGGI, please visit our website at www.gggi.org.

More Info and Application