Join our international non-profit research organization and help create a sustainable, prosperous future for all. Stockholm Environment Institute is a dynamic, expanding work place that employs around 90 people from 28 different nationalities in an activity-based office in central Stockholm (Garnisonen), and with an additional 140 employees in centres around the world.

The role

SEI is recruiting a highly motivated early career colleague (Research Associate) with a strong research background in the intersection between climate change and sustainable development. Research Associates works within ongoing projects and operate with close and explicit guidance from overseeing colleagues. Research Associates support research and project work, project proposals, and the communication of project findings. Moreover, the Research Associate supports the project leaders by fulfilling their duties within projects, and report progress to the project leader and line-manager, respectively. Sh/e/they takes full responsibility for personal leadership as well as in supporting and facilitating the work of other colleagues.

The successful candidate will be based at SEI in Stockholm and will contribute to developing and executing research on connections between climate change and the 2030 Agenda. The successful candidate has good knowledge of the climate change negotiations process as well as that relating to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of the Climate, Energy and Society Unit, and work directly with project managers for specific research activities.

Main responsibilities

• Contribute to SEI’s current portfolio of research projects, for example through reviewing literature, carrying out interviews and other data collection, data analysis, reporting and administration activities
• Support stakeholder engagement and co-development processes, including organizing workshops and dialogues
• Support writing new project proposals
• Participate in research publications, international workshops and other outreach activities
• Help to communicate insights from SEI’s work to a range of audiences, with support from SEI’s communications team

Who you are

We are looking for a person with an advanced university degree in economics, political science, sociology or a related field. You are interested in contributing to applied sustainability research in an international context.

As a person, you are driven and possess good communication and writing skills, including the ability to make public presentations and communicate within multi-cultural settings. To succeed in this role, you can work both in teams and independently in a highly flexible and exciting research environment. You are able to combine theoretical knowledge with practical, people-based skills. You see problems and solutions at a systemic level and like to incorporate the interconnections between places, actors and topics in your work. Previous experience in stakeholder interactions such as organizing workshops or dialogues is a merit. You are fluent in English.

Qualifications and experience

• MSc or MA in economics, political science, sociology or a related field
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Proven track record of making public presentations
• Previous experience in stakeholder interactions such as organizing workshops or dialogues is a merit
• Relevant work experience is a merit

How to apply

We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so please submit your application as soon as possible, however no later than 30 January, 2019 23:59 Stockholm local time.

Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter (maximum 1 page).

As we only accept applications through our recruitment system, please apply online using the button below and include:

• Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience
• Curriculum vitae.

Questions?

Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to Adis Dzebo, Research Fellow (adis.dzebo@sei.org) or My Persson, Recruitment and Competence Specialist (my.persson@sei.org).

About the project

National implementation of global goals: Coherence between Nationally Determined Contributions and the Sustainable Development Goals

Several studies have pointed at potential goal conflicts between the Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement (NDCs) and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus far, connections made at a rhetorical level have not translated into strategies and practices of strong policy coherence, which can be seen as a hallmark of truly ambitious climate action.

Our aim is to enhance effectiveness of policy coherence efforts by countries in their NDC and SDG work. Building on our existing analysis of NDC and SDG interaction, including a visualisation tool used by the UN, this project takes a next step in policy coherence research by using a robust framework for comparative analysis of in-depth country cases representing different levels of vulnerability and fossil fuel dependence: Australia, Colombia, Fiji and Sweden. It will analyze the applicability of insights gained for other countries. The project responds to calls from the scientific community to focus on national implementation and understand domestic factors influencing climate ambition. It also responds to calls from policy practitioners in the case countries and international organizations for best practices and tools for enhancing policy coherence. The research team has a proven track record in engaging in co-creation with stakeholders and producing policy-relevant tools and guidance. It is supported by a reference group including several key Swedish and international organizations.

About SEI

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an independent, international research institute founded in 1989. Its mission is to support decision-making and induce change towards sustainable development around the world by providing integrative knowledge that bridges science and policy in the field of environment and development. SEI was ranked as the second most influential environment think tank in the world in the Global Go To Think Tank Report 2017, compiled by the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program.

SEI has around 240 employees working at research centres in seven countries around the world. SEI’s headquarters are located in Stockholm, Sweden. Additional SEI research centres are located in Kenya (SEI Africa) Estonia (SEI Tallinn); United Kingdom (SEI York and SEI Oxford); the United States (SEI US); Thailand (SEI Asia); and Colombia (SEI Latin America).