Research Associate – Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

SEI Asia, based in Bangkok, has a diverse team of multinational experts that integrates scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships, and influence policy for resilient development. It focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity and integrated water resources management, transitional agriculture, renewable energy and urbanization.

SEI Asia is an affiliate of Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand. SEI and CU have inked a long-term agreement to foster innovative scientific research combined with effective policy engagement on development and environmental challenges in Asia.

The role

The Research Associate will join the Climate Change, Disasters and Development (C2D2) cluster at SEI Asia to undertake social science research, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement on climate change adaptation, resilience and development issues in Asia. He/she/they will support the development and implementation of activities related to projects related to displacement, climate and disaster resilience, national adaptation planning and human rights. The Research Associate will also be expected to work with colleagues from other clusters at SEI Asia, including Gender, Urban, Water and Policy, as well as colleagues at other SEI centres as necessary.

The Research Associate will report directly to the C2D2 Cluster Lead, under the overall supervision of the SEI Asia Centre Director.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Work as part of teams to conduct social science research, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement on climate change adaptation, resilience and development issues in Asia
• Support cluster lead in developing and carrying out research using appropriate research techniques and methods, including desk-based and primary data collection, qualitative and quantitative approaches and analysis and interpretation of research results
• Participate in the design and implementation of new projects, including concept note development and proposal writing
• Identify new opportunities and support fundraising activities and potential future areas of work
• Disseminate research outcomes by publishing in peer-reviewed journals and prepare communications and outreach products such as discussion papers, policy briefs, blogs and op-eds
• Establish and maintain partnerships and networks with relevant actors in the region
• Contribute to organization of events and meetings, as well as represent SEI at external events and participate in networking with relevant institutions and organizations
• Build relationships and collaborate with colleagues, both within SEI Asia and across SEI centres.

Who you are

We are looking for an early career professional with a background in climate change adaptation, disaster or resilience research who intends to pursue a career in applied research on climate change adaptation and resilience, is passionate about bridging science to policy to achieve sustainable development and has excellent technical and proposal writing skills.

Formal qualifications and knowledge

• Master’s degree in relevant subject areas such as human geography, economics, sociology, development studies, political science, environmental science, anthropology and/or other interdisciplinary programmes or social science fields;
• Two to four years of experience working on climate change adaptation, disaster or resilience-related research
• Experience in conducting either qualitative or quantitative social science research on various aspects of climate change adaptation and resilience
• Demonstrated experience in carrying out fundamental research activities, including research design, literature reviews, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and data analysis
• Authored at least two recent publications
• Experience of working with different stakeholder groups such as researchers, decision makers, civil society organizations and community groups
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

Desirable qualifications

• Demonstrated desire to build a career in research or knowledge production in climate change adaptation and resilience research
• Strong interest in understanding the social and political aspects of climate change adaptation and resilience through sociological, anthropological or geographical research
• General understanding of gender inclusion and human rights-based approaches and passionate about inclusivity, equity and human rights in research and policy engagement
• Experience or research interests in the fields of human rights and climate change, disaster displacement and/or climate smart land use
• Familiarity and understanding of the global goal of adaptation in the Paris Agreement
• Demonstrated experience in proposal writing
• Working experience in Southeast Asia
• Ability to speak a Southeast Asian language.

Personal skills required

• Good interpersonal skills and team collaboration
• Good communication skills to effectively engage with different audiences
• Proactive and self-motivated working style
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team, as appropriate
• Good prioritization and time management skills in order to work on multiple projects and tasks at the same time and meet deadlines.

How to apply

SEI Asia is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants on the basis of qualifications and competencies regardless of and not limited to race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and marital status. We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organization and applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

With a team comprising over 17 nationalities, SEI welcomes global applicants for all posts and provides an internationally competitive level NGO salary and benefits package, with all employee contracts under Thai labour law. For this post, we expect entry-level candidates to apply.

We review applications on an ongoing basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than 24 September 2021, 23:59 Bangkok local time.

Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter.

As we only accept applications through our recruitment system, please apply online using the button below and include:

• Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience (maximum 1 page)
• Curriculum vitae (maximum 4 pages).