UNU-FLORES Doctoral Researcher: Resilience and Resource Nexus in Food Systems 2022

This project aims to research the impact of the Ukraine conflict on food security with a focus on East Africa. While Africa is yet to recover from the repercussions of COVID19, the Russia-Ukraine war has posed an additional challenge for most African countries to manage food supply chains, access fertilisers and protect food security. Currently, 15 countries, including 4 in East Africa, import more than half of their needs in wheat from Ukraine and Russia ( Benin, Somalia, Egypt, Congo, Namibia, Rwanda, DRC, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Tanzania, Sudan, Cabo Verde, Tunisia, Burundi, Libya), and they remain highly dependent on these imports for staple goods. Food prices have soared in these contexts, and social protection programmes are too weak to offset the impact on vulnerable groups, compounding hunger and undernourishment risk. The effect will be felt for years regarding the availability and pricing of food items. This project is funded by the Saxon State Ministry for energy, climate protection, environment and agriculture (SMEKUL) and conducted in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Coordination Office within the context of the design and operationalisation of the UN Sustainable Development project with a focus in Tanzania. Key Questions:

• What sort of policy transformation(s) are needed to optimise the resilience, productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems in countries that are heavily dependent on food imports as currently from Russia and Ukraine?
• How can a recovery strategy for food security be leveraged to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the Ukraine crisis has put at risk? What synergies, trade-offs and financing mechanisms are needed to design and implement the strategy through an SDG lens?
• How can climate mitigation and adaptation tools be integrated into planning and decision-making processes about recovery from the Ukraine crisis? What policy innovations are needed for food systems to incorporate and address climate risk?

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of supervisors at both UNU-FLORES and Technische Universitaet Dresden. Students will also collaborate with fellow doctoral students and senior scientists in research, event organisation and participation, publications where possible, and contribute to the Implementation Plan of UNU-FLORES and the mission of the United Nations. As a facet of the project, the students must consider the impact of their research on communities, and the potential for their research to be transferred upon completion of the doctorate.

About United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organisation headquartered in Japan. The mission of the UN University is to contribute, through collaborative research and education, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. In carrying out this mission, the UN University works with leading universities and research institutes in UN Member States, functioning as a bridge between the international academic community and the Un... read more

Doctoral Researcher: Resilience and Resource Nexus in Food Systems

Aim and Benefits of Doctoral Researcher: Resilience and Resource Nexus in Food Systems

UNU-FLORES will provide a monthly salary of EUR 1,566 for the duration of the Doctoral Research (up to a maximum of 3 years). Funding is provided by the Saxon State Ministry for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture (SMEKUL). This stipend is expected to cover relocation, living and education expenses. While the Doctoral programme is tuition-free, semester fees of approximately EUR 250-300 will need to be paid directly to TU Dresden for enrollment. For additional information on the programme and the admission procedure, please visit our website.

Requirements for Doctoral Researcher: Resilience and Resource Nexus in Food Systems Qualification

• An excellent academic profile including a Master’s degree at least grade 2.5 or equivalent according to the German system in Political Science, Economics, Agro-economy, Governance, Systems Analysis, Environmental Policy or other relevant disciplines with an emphasis on food system transformation;
• Relevant professional experience of at least one year, predominantly in time and preferably in an East African regional setting;
• Experience with the agricultural-based economic development of Tanzania is an asset;
• Knowledge and concepts of food system resilience research;
• A strong methodological skillset for qualitative and quantitative analyses is required;
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise complex information, regulations and policies and translate them into impactful communications and publications;
• Excellent writing and communication skills (academic and non-academic) are required;
• A team player with strong interpersonal skills, Initiative seeker; Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, strong ability to carry out work independently; interest in interdisciplinary and multicultural, multi-ethnic work environments;
• Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes;
• Demonstrated proficiency in English is required; 
• Proficiency in Swahili is required; Knowledge of German and/or another UN official working language is an asset.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Doctoral Researcher: Resilience and Resource Nexus in Food Systems

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply line
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form);
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position; and
• Please submit the following documents as one PDF file (on the apply page where it requests the P11 form):

1. fill out the UNU P11 form (please do not use similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
2. A completed and signed Doctoral Programme application form
3. A short research proposal (max two pages) describing how you would approach the research topic;
4. Copies of ALL university transcripts, including the German equivalent grade;
5. Copy of TOEFL/IELTS or evidence proving that English was the language of instruction for at least one of the previously completed degree programmes, in the form of a letter issued by the relevant university authority
6. Abstract of MSc thesis (or equivalent);
7. Two reference letters;

For more details, visit UNU website.