RESEARCH FELLOW
Background
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an international independent non-profit research institute established in 1989 by the Swedish Government. SEI's mission is to support decision-making and induce change towards sustainable development around the world by providing integrative knowledge that bridges science and policy in the field of environment and development. SEI is a distributed institute, with centres in Bangkok (Thailand), Boston (USA), Oxford (UK), Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn (Estonia), York (UK) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The combined centres include approximately 180 research staff. Approximately 70 percent of the research programmes are in the developing world. Current SEI research programmes are: Atmospheric Environment; Climate and Energy; Future Sustainability; Policies and Institutions; Risk, Livelihoods and Vulnerability and Water Resources and Sanitation (see www.sei.se).
SEI Asia Centre in Bangkok, established on 1st January 2004, currently has more than twenty staff members and coordinates SEI activities in Asia. It cooperates with national and regional partners. The centre’s programme is structured principally along regional lines. Its pioneer programme, on which significant work had been done even before the establishment of the centre, is for the Mekong region, and integrated programmes are being developed for South Asia and ASEAN.
Currently, SEI is seeking a competent senior researcher who has an expertise in the area of either climate change adaptation or ecosystem services assessment to work as the Research Fellow in its Asia Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, under the direction of the SEI Asia Centre Director.
Overall responsibility and reporting:
The overall responsibilities of the Research Fellow are to undertake research activities related to ongoing projects and also to lead the development of new research projects, especially those related to either climate change adaptation or ecosystem services assessment. This will be done under the overall supervision of the SEI Asia Centre Director and under the immediate supervision of Research Programme Managers.
The ToR of the Research Fellow, which will be continuously revised under the guidance of the SEI Asia Centre Director, is described below.
A. Research duties and responsibilities
- Identify, formulate, develop, lead and implement research projects within the research themes that further the aims and objectives of SEI.
- Identify funding sources, lead or contribute to fundraising, and seek to secure funding for these projects and provide overall guidance for the junior members on research management, implementation and reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Ensure high quality of the research process and assist in seeing to that research publications and other information, including the web page, issued from concerned research projects are appropriately reviewed.
- Provide guidance and mentoring to junior research staff.
B. Centre development
- Participate in a Centre Advisory Committee and support the centre management.
- Provide guidance to junior research staff in research development and implementation, support professional and career development for junior research staff, and contribute to SEI’s staff development program.
- In collaboration with the SEI Communications Team and the Centre Communications Coordinator facilitate and support internal communications and outreach activities including e.g. presentations, speeches, dialogues and media articles.
- Contribute to strengthening the relationship between Asia Centre with the host country (Thai government) and partnership with the host institute (Chulalongkorn University)
C. Other duties and responsibilities
- Respect and implement all the Institute policies, including the Institute Code of Conducts, environment policy and the institute secondment policy if the position is filled in through SEI internal secondment.
- Report to the Centre Director.
Selection criteria:
- Master or higher degree (Ph.D. preferred) related to one or more of the following areas: Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Development
- Studies, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Ecology or Geography or other, with a strong interdisciplinary background.
- A minimum of 5 years research experience in the fields relating to either climate change adaptation or ecosystem services assessment, with adequate publications.
- Very good knowledge and understanding of the challenges of climate change (e.g. science, impact and adaptation) and/or ecosystem services as well as other development pressures and environmental issues in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, South-East and/or South Asia.
- Track records of and experience in dealing with governments and other institutions in Asia, and in networking with a wide range of stakeholders and working with partners at local, national, regional and international levels
- Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and a team approach
- Good fund-raising and proposal-writing skills
- Have good networks with related expertise that can be called upon for future partnership
- Good computer literacy
- Excellent English language writing and speaking ability. Knowledge of Asian languages will be an advantage.
- Strong commitment to protecting the natural environment and responsibility for society.
Employment duration:
18 months renewable contract with 3-month probation period
Duty station:
SEI Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
Starting date:
As soon as possible.
Conditions and Remuneration:
The Research Fellow will be contracted through the SEI Asia Centre. SEI will provide a competitive compensation package dependent on experience and qualifications, following the SEI Asia Centre’s salary structure. SEI reserves the right to appoint at a lower level if appropriate.
Application:
Please send your application and supporting documents to Ms. Papassara Pimanmas by 8 March 2011. We will need:
- A letter of application highlighting relevant qualifications with regard to each of the selection criteria (maximum 2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae with the details of concerned projects contributed and names and addresses of three referees (maximum 10 pages)
- Copies of not more than three selected publications with you as a lead author
- A research proposal related to an aspect of climate change adaptation or ecosystem services that interests you (maximum 2 pages)
- Current and expected salary
Applicants from other regions but have a good knowledge and experience in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, South-East and/or South Asia are eligible to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Colleagues from other SEI Centres or from the Stockholm Resilience Centre are encouraged to apply if qualified and have great interest in working with SEI Asia Centre.
Contact information:
Ms. Papassara Pimanmas
Office Manager
Stockholm Environment Institute - Asia
15th Fl., Witthyakit Bldg, 254, Chulalongkorn University,
Chulalongkorn Soi 64, Phyathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66(0) 2251 4415 to 8 ext: 100
Fax: +66(0) 2251 4419
Email your application to papassara.pimanmas@sei.se with a copy tonipa.laithong@sei.se .
