China: Research Fellows in Digital Peace

Jul 28, 2016 | United Nations University
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United Nations University – Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS) The United Nations University – Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS) is a new research institute at the intersections of information and communication technologies and international development. Located in Macau SAR, China, UNU-CS focuses on the key challenges faced by developing societies through high-impact innovations in computing and communication technologies. UNU-CS will

  • Lead in investigating and inventing human centered information and communication technologies addressing some of the priorities central to the United Nations and the world such as: sustainability, development, governance and peace and security.
  • Impact policymakers, within the UN system and beyond, through actionable knowledge and thought-leadership.
  • Nurture the next generation of inter-disciplinary computer scientists, social scientists and designers in developing countries.
  • Embrace the enormous dynamism of the city of Macau and Pearl River Delta region while still working globally.
For more information please visit http://cs.unu.edu. The United Nations University – Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS) is seeking to hire research staff for its emerging Digital Peace Lab. Successful candidates will work closely with the Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the United Nations in collaborative research between ICTD and UNU-CS. Candidates should possess skills, experience and passions in one (or both) of these two broad technical areas:
  • Radio telecommunications and networks including, for example, satellite and terrestrialsystems; innovative and emerging networking systems (e.g. rapidly deployable networks, mesh systems, software defined radio, community networking); system interoperability, usability, reliability and security.
  • Internet and computer systems for peacekeepers including, for example, systems for real-time collaboration; wellness, training and capacity building; usable system security; social media analysis, open source intelligence and early warning; situation monitoring, imaging and awareness. 
 Responsibilities:Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of UNU-CS, or other research staff members, successful candidates shall be closely involved in the planning and implementation of research programmes in the area of Digital Peace. Based upon the level of appointment, this will include the following tasks:
  • Contribute regularly to the research outputs of UNU-CS as agreed with the Director.
  • Conduct both desk and field research, and social and computing scientific scholarship, as appropriate to specific research tasks.
  • Identify, compile and undertake reviews of published and unpublished documents. 
  • Prepare drafts and final reports of research projects for publication; disseminate research publications locally and internationally in a variety of formats to be agreed with the Director.
  • Attend meetings and discussions with key people related to the research projects and activities.
  • Produce policy impact through dissemination of key scholarly findings to appropriate stakeholders, as agreed to with the Director.
  • Assist in organizing capacity building activities, workshops and conferences in the relevant research programmes of the Institute.
  • Undertake supervision of postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates and Research Assistants as required.
  • Assist the Director in liaising with potential donors and collaborators for the Institute.
  • Be proactive in seeking external funding for agreed research projects that fall within the scope of UNU-CS research programmes, as agreed with by the Director.
  • Collaborate on project planning and project administration abd assume responsibility for the administrative duties relating to the research activities undertaken, liaising as necessary with colleagues at the Institute and UNU Headquarters.Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by the Director.
 Required Qualifications and Competencies:
  • Minimum qualifications for Research Fellow positions: A new PhD degree or terminal advanceddegree or a master’s degree with at least three (3) years of relevant working experience and demonstrated research promise.
  • Minimum qualifications for Principal Research Fellow positions: A PhD degree or terminaladvanced degree with at least five (5) years of relevant research work experience. Sound record of scholarly publications, research and policy impact would be advantageous.
  • Proficiency with modern computer programming environments.
  • Skills in relevant social and/or computing scientific disciplines.
  • Familiarity with interdisciplinary research methodologies and conceptual frameworks.
  • Passion for the mission of the United Nations and UNU-CS.
  • Excellent communication and drafting skills, with proficiency in both oral and written English.
  • Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Willingness to work in a dynamic start-up environment and to help build a leading global research institute.
  • Willingness and ability to travel and work in challenging conditions including UN Peacekeeping Missions.
  • Reside full-time in Macau for the duration of the contract; some international travel may be required.
 Remuneration: Starting monthly remuneration of a Research Fellow is USD$3,907, while for Principal Research Fellow is at USD$5,641. Remuneration will also be commensurate with qualification and experience of the successful candidate. UN income is not subject to taxes in Macau. Duration of contract: This is a full time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements, satisfactory work performance and funding availability, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years. Research positions are contract positions falling outside of the United Nations Common System. Thesuccessful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” asdefined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. Starting date: As soon as possible. Application Procedure: Interested applicants should submit their applications by email to rf_cs@unu.edu, and must include the following:
  • A cover letter overviewing your relevant research skills and a description of how your work relates to the goals of the Peace Tech Lab and radio telecommunications and/or internet and computer systems;
  • A list of three (3) professional references;A curriculum vitae with lists of experiences and publications;
  • A completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) formdownloadable from the UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
  • An indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2016/UNU/CS/PSA/DPRF/48)
 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).