Research Assistant - Waste Management, Dresden, Germany

• Organization: UNU - United Nations University
• Country: Germany
• Field location: Dresden, Germany
• Office: UNU-FLORES Dresden

Institute for Integrated Management of
Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
Ammonstrasse 74
01067 Dresden, Germany
Tel: +49 351 892193 70

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Closing date: Sunday, 8 November 2015

POSITION: Personnel Service Agreement
REFERENCE NO.: 2015/UNU/FLORES/PSA/RA/71
LOCATION: Dresden, Germany
Timezone: UTC +1
CLOSING DATE: 2015 11 08
Organizational Unit: UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
United Nations University objectives
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and 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 for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES): The mission of UNU-FLORES is to contribute, through research, capacity development, and dissemination of knowledge, to the resolution of pressing challenges in the area of sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources (water, soil and waste), particularly in developing and transitional countries. It aims to serve within the UN as the think-tank on resources management and be internationally recognized as major hub and intellectual focal point promoting integrated management strategies addressing in particular the needs of developing and emerging countries.
The Institute is located in Dresden, Federal Republic of Germany. For more information please visit http://flores.unu.edu.
Waste Management Unit
Waste Management at UNU-FLORES addresses the above issues, and in particular:

• Develops and coordinates the research programme of UNU-FLORES on waste management, considering the close inter-linkage with other resources (water, soil).
• Develops management strategies for the collection, processing, and recycling of waste.
• Develops strategies for rehabilitation of contaminated sites.
• Develops management strategies for safe waste-water use and waste-water processing.

Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and direct supervision of the Academic Officer - Waste Management, the successful candidate shall carry out the following tasks:

• Contribute to the research, academic, and capacity development activities in waste management aspects within the soil-water-waste nexus.
• Support the process of research/knowledge product development such as policy briefs, technical reports, and research articles, etc.
• Contribute to the ongoing research and capacity development work related to the multi-organizational project(s), such as the Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture (SUWA).
• Contribute to the activities in the frame of the UNU-FLORES Joint Research Initiative #3 in Africa on 'Sustainable Wastewater Management Options' in terms of literature review, meeting and workshop organization, and liaison with partners.
• Assist in fundraising activities for projects including project proposal development, contacting and maintaining dialogues with potential donors, and other work related to fundraising.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications and experience

• Master's degree in natural sciences or engineering in a field related to management of waste as a resource.
• Minimum one (1) year of work experience in research in sustainable waste-water management, solid waste management or composting.
• Candidates with a PhD degree would be desirable.
• Prior experience/knowledge in waste/resource management projects, preferably in developing countries and regions.
• Experience in drafting and publishing scientific papers.
• Experience with drafting project proposals is highly desirable.
• Strong motivation and ability to carry out research in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
• Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.
• Ability to work within agreed timelines and to communicate clearly and effectively.
• A good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration
Remuneration will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
Duration of contract
This is full-time employment (40 hours per week) for a fixed period of one (1) year (renewal will be subject to performance and funds availability) on a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) with UNU-FLORES. The combined duration of appointments shall not exceed six (6) years.
The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract based in Dresden, Germany, 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 woman candidates and those from developing countries are particularly encouraged.
Starting date
As soon as possible.