Functional Title: Research Fellow on Agriculture and Climate Change
Deadline: 18 September 2012
Division: Food Security and Sustainable Development Division
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration: 1 year
Estimated Starting Date: As soon as possible
Possibility of Extension: Yes
Open to External Candidates?: Yes

CONDITIONS

• Fellowship is open only to nationals of ECA member states
• Fellows will receive a lump-sum payment of USD 3,000 per month and a round trip air ticket to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Fellows cannot be employed by ECA or any other UN organization within six months of completion of a fellowship period.
• Fellows will agree to a work programme defined mutually with the receiving section of the Food Security and Sustainable Development Division (FSSDD).

GENERAL INFORMATION

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is the regional arm of the United Nations in Africa. Its mandate is to promote the social and economic development of Africa and enhance regional integration and international cooperation. As part of its programme to support member States, ECA is soliciting applications from qualified young African Professionals to the “ECA Fellowships for Young African Professionals”, programme. The fellowship programme targets young African professionals who have completed their Masters Degree program in order to provide tangible support to member States. The programme seeks to familiarize the Young Professionals with the Commission’s broad programmes and services to member States and sub-regional bodies in addressing various dimensions of Africa’s development challenges.

Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates applying for the position must be below 40 years of age when entering the programme. The programme aims to provide practical, on-the- job experience to the professionals as they build and develop their professional career at African development institutions, teaching and research think tanks or member States’ government institutions. The Fellowship programme will also familiarize them with the Commission’s broad programmes and services to member States and sub-regional bodies in addressing the challenges climate change poses to Africa’s development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Fellows will contribute to the work programme in agriculture and climate change, which includes a significant work with the member states and with particular emphasis on the following:

• Exploring the agriculture and climate change linkages with a focus on adaptation and resilience;
• Analysis of the effects of climate change and climate variability on agriculture;
• Review and analysis of agricultural sector policies and production of policy recommendations to promote the sectors resilience to climate change and climate variability
• Climate and agricultural data management.

Assignments within the respective area of focus may include, but are not limited to, collecting, evaluating, interpreting, and analyzing climate, social, environmental and economics data. The Fellows will also contribute to reports, briefing notes, and assist in the organization and servicing of expert group meetings, workshops, and seminars; and fulfill various other administrative tasks for the final delivery of ACPC’s services.

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Demonstrated knowledge in agriculture and climate change linkage, adaptation and resilience concepts; adequate understanding in the field of agricultural economics, agronomy, crop science and related fields; experience in land use, land cover and watershed dynamics; clear evidence of publication record.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) agriculture, agricultural economics, agro-meteorology, agronomy, crop/plant science, agricultural systems, agro-ecology or a closely related field is required. A PhD is desirable.

Work Experience: Experience in research/analytical work in a climate-related area. Experience with working with African institutions at national and regional level is an advantage.
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is an advantage.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

1. Cover Letter
2. Personal History Profile (PHP)

ALL SUBMISSIONS TO BE SENT TO:

Contact: Human Resources Services Section
Email Address: RecruitmentPPost@uneca.org
Subject line: Research Fellow, ACPC
Please quote this line on the subject.

Note: Kindly indicate in the application which of the Division’s focus areas you are interested in.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations- Chapter 3, article 8).

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAININT OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED