Research Fellow
Department: Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI)
Duty station: Khorog, Tajikistan
Deadline: 26 March 2017
UCA Background
The University of Central Asia (UCA) is a private (not for profit), secular University whose charter has been signed by the Presidents of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan, ratified by the parliaments of the founding states and registered with the United Nations. UCA is the first internationally chartered university in the world. UCA’s mission is to foster the socio-economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain societies, while helping the peoples of the region preserve and draw upon their rich cultural heritages as assets for the future.
Summary of Position and Key Responsibilities
Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI) is seeking an experienced and highly committed Research Fellow who will coordinate, support and help developing MSRI’s research activities in Tajikistan and the larger region in the field of sustainable land management (SLM), integrated watershed management (IWSM), natural resource governance (NRG), disaster risk reduction (DRR) and advancing the sustainable mountain development (SMD) agenda.
A major part of the position will consist of coordinating ongoing and starting research activities, such as a summer university course to be prepared and implemented jointly with partners Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) and University of Bern in August 2017 in Khorog.
The selected research fellow will work closely with other researchers at MSRI, UCA and beyond, but also with regional implementing partners / AKDN agencies, Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), AKAH, others and also support the implementation of MSRI’s ‘Research for Development’ approach in the region.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate the setup and opening of MSRI’s office(s) in Khorog (presumably in March 2017);
- Coordinate the planning process, preparation and implementation of the DRR Summer University 2017 in Khorog;
- Cooperate and communicate closely with AKAH (formerly FOCUS) and MSDSP colleagues involved in the summer university, as well as with academic partners (Universities of Bern, Vienna);
- Support the management of ongoing research projects with MSRI involvement in the region;
- Assist in developing new research projects, including the execution of work plans, activity schedules, budgets, and donor reports;
- Collaborate closely with MSRI Senior Research Scientist(s) and co-supervise junior researchers or research assistants as required by projects; and
- Help advancing and promoting the sustainable mountain development (SMD) agenda in the region.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- MSc in a relevant social or natural science discipline or interdisciplinary field of science;
- Demonstrated independent working ability and knowledge of development implementation programming;
- Knowledge of development and environmental issues relevant to mountain societies;
- Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from different backgrounds, including academicians, government personnel and people from other stakeholder groups;
- Sound language skills (written and oral) in English, Russian and Tajik;
- Flexibility and ability to work in a start-up environment of a new applied research institution.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to
[log in to unmask]g by 26 March 2017. As your application e-mail subject, please write: “Research Fellow Khorog”.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Review other job vacancies at: http://www.ucentralasia.org/About/CurrentVacancies