Duration: Permanent position, with a 6-month probation period
Start date: April/May 2014 – exact date is negotiable
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Application deadline: March 23, 2013
Open to: Both external and internal candidates
Salary: Competitive, based on the Swedish market
Profile:
We are now recruiting a Head of Unit to the Stockholm Centre. The position presents an opportunity to join a leading research institute and contribute to the management of a growing dynamic research environment. Reporting to the Centre Director, the Head of Unit will manage a team of researchers and project managers and be part of the Management Team of the Stockholm Centre. The position will also provide the opportunity to formulate, develop, lead, manage and implement one or more externally funded research activities. We are seeking an academic entrepreneur.
As Senior Researcher we expect that the selected candidate will:
- Develop and lead a strong, visible and lasting research portfolio involving several SEI research staff;
- Interact with high-level policymakers and other stakeholders, and represent SEI at key events;
- Raise funds from a variety of Swedish and international funding agencies including the private sector;
- Undertake research and advisory services in the Stockholm Centre where our strengths span from local, national, regional to global issues in the area of e.g. political economy and regional analysis, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water-energy-food nexus, sustainable consumption and production, management of rural landscapes to innovative technologies for improved health and well-being in developing countries.
As Head of Unit, key responsibilities include:
- Act as research staff’s immediate manager, represent the employer in all matters concerning work, including work-environment, health and staff well-being;
- Provide overall and ongoing guidance to the unit members, their management, implementation and reporting, and monitoring and evaluation of projects;
- Be responsible for the professional development of the staff members in the group;
- Contribute to the social atmosphere and sense of belonging among staff;
- Be responsible for resource planning and time reports to achieve a balanced work load for individual staff members, and across the group;
- Stimulate research group members in identifying and developing research projects within the overall SEI research themes, in collaboration with SEI Theme Leaders and relevant staff across the Institute;
- Support project leaders in project coordination, quality assurance, staff time allocation, implementation arrangements for projects, and project delivery.
Requirements:
The applicant should possess outstanding research, leadership, management, organizational, interpersonal, and networking abilities. She/he should have proven interdisciplinary research experience and the ability to work with various stakeholders. The applicant should demonstrate an understanding of both development and environment in line with the SEI mission and be able to conduct independent analysis and reflect critically on conventional economic reasoning and debate.
Key qualifications:
- Outstanding leadership, management, organizational, communication, interpersonal, cross-cultural and networking skills, including a minimum of 5 years of managment experience in a knowledge-based organization;
- Strong interest and capacity to support research staff in their development process, both as individuals and as a group;
- Strong research experience, including a Ph.D. or equivalent in an area relevant to SEI, and a strong international reputation with active engagement in scientific and professional networks in at least one area of research central to SEI’s strategy;
- Experience of integrated knowledge generation and science-policy bridging initiatives;
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills for both technical and public audiences;
- A strong record of research project design and management, securing external funding, and publications;
- Experience in working in international, multi-disiplinary research teams in policy environments, and with international partners;
- Proven ability to engage in knowledge production towards high-level policy making;
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Established network within governments, multilateral organizations, research institutes and non-profit organizations;
- Knowledge about international development;
- Written and spoken Swedish skills;
- Other language skills.
Applications:
Applications should be submitted in PDF format and should consist of a CV and a cover letter that includes the names and contact details of three references. Applications should be written in English and arrive at SEI as soon as possible but no later than March 23, 2014. They should be sent by e-mail to vacancies@sei-international.org. Use as the subject line in the email: ‘HoU - [Applicant’s Last Name] - [Applicant’s First Name]’.
Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to Magnus Bucht, Human Resources Director; magnus.bucht@sei-international.org or Dr. Jakob Granit, Deputy Director and Centre Director; jakob.granit@sei-international.org or the union at SEI Stockholm which is represented in this recruitment process by kim.andersson@sei-international.org
The selected candidate will be employed by SEI in Stockholm, following Swedish labor laws. Salary will be competitive based on the Swedish market and will be subject to Swedish income tax.
