Research Fellow - Multi-level Governance

About UN University

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About UNU-CRIS

The United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), established in 2001, is one of the research and training institutes of the United Nations University (UNU) network, based in Bruges, Belgium.

The specific mission of UNU-CRIS is to foster a better understanding of the processes of regional integration and cooperation and their implications in a changing world order. UNU-CRIS specialises in the comparative study of regional integration, monitoring and assessing regional integration worldwide and in the study of interactions between regional organisations and global institutions. As of October 2016, UNU-CRIS is cooperating with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ghent University.

The Role

UNU-CRIS is looking to recruit a Research Fellow to lead and help us advance the research, reputation, and impact of the Institute and, more specifically, lead our Regions and Cities Governance Lab (Re-LAB) - https://cris.unu.edu/clusters/relab

As a Research Fellow and Cluster Coordinator, you will be expected to (1) champion pioneering research on the institutional dynamics of regional governance that both furthers academic study and is policy-relevant in relation to the UN and UNU’s goals; (2) seek to acquire external research funding, through both responding to calls and seed funding, while building consortiums and partnerships and (3) manage the cluster, the responsibilities of which include: accompanying growth of research portfolio, managing cluster resources, leading a small research team, mentoring interns, quality control, and external communication.

Duties & Responsibilities

The core responsibilities of the Research Fellow are as follows:

• Supporting the Director in realising the Institute’s goals, strategic plan, and research agenda:

• Carrying out original and high-quality interdisciplinary research through contributing to existing projects and by pursuing your own research passions in the cluster topic.

• Coordinating and managing the cluster to ensure it effectively meets the outlined goals and aims.

• Develop the link between the Institute’s external partners in the public policy space and the cluster:

• Externally, the Research Fellow will build relationships with external stakeholders and will work with external partners to identify common areas of interest, to define the scope of research projects, to identify resources for projects, and to establish relevant timelines.

• Internally, the Research Fellow will shape the academic direction of the cluster, working with current cluster members and further expanding its personnel to produce rigorous policy-relevant research. 

• Participate in knowledge sharing and exchange activities. This may include:

• Representing the Institute at external conferences and events.

• Working with the Institute’s communications team to ensure that the clusters policy-relevant research is effectively promoted across various media channels.

• Working in close coordination with other members of the Institute and the cluster to maximise their influence on ongoing and developing policy debates.

• Working with the Policy Officer to develop capacity building and training programmes, aimed at both academia and policymakers. 

Required Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• A PhD in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy or another social science discipline that provides suitable theoretical and empirical foundations for conducting research in the Re-LAB group;

• At least five (5) years postdoctoral experience for the Research Fellow (P-4) position;

• Demonstrable interest in the institutional dynamics of regional governance, regional organizations, multilevel governance, interregionalism, and/or border studies, thereby adopting a global and/or comparative perspective;

• Demonstrable interest in policy-relevant work;

• Strong methodological skills;

• A strong track record of scientific publication, which may include journal articles, book chapters, and policy reports/white papers;

• Proven ability to communicate research and advocate policy at multiple levels and to diverse audiences;

• Ability to successfully collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment and to manage the delivery of projects;

• Professional-level proficiency in English;

• Willing to relocate to Belgium (once Covid-19 restrictions allow).

Desirable

• Previous experience in the United Nations system, and knowledge/understanding of the United Nations and its mission;

• Experience in a policy environment;

• Experience in setting up research collaborations involving multiple stakeholders, in grant proposal writing, and in attracting external research project funding;

• Experience managing people;

• Proficiency in other UN official languages.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. 

Remuneration & Contract

This full-time post is offered at the P4 scale within the United Nations Common System of Salaries, Allowances and Benefits, with a starting gross salary of US$90,970.  

Pursuant to the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the UNU Personnel Policy, academic staff are initially appointed for a fixed term of one year. Subsequent appointments are subject to satisfactory service and are limited to maximum periods of three years. The combined total of such fixed-term appointments (initial and renewal) normally shall not exceed six years.

Within-grade increments are awarded on the basis of satisfactory service, with the potential gross salary in the final year of a six year term being US$101,483.

The post carries the standard set of UN entitlements/benefits, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant for eligible children, removal expenses and home leave. For more information please visit:

http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html  

Relocation Expenses

In the case of new staff members who have been internationally recruited, UNU usually meets the costs of travel from the place of recruitment to the duty station for the staff member and their eligible dependants. It also usually meets the costs of shipping and insuring household effects. Assistance with visa formalities may be provided, and UNU can arrange initial hotel accommodation.

Starting Date 

1st March 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.