ThaiNGO

Contract details

Fixed term (two years, with possibility of extension depending on funding availability and performance)
Full time

SEI Asia, a centre of Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) based in Bangkok, has a diverse team of multinational experts who integrate scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships and influence policy for resilient development. SEI Asia’s work focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water insecurity and integrated water resources management, transitional agriculture, renewable energy and urbanization.

SEI Asia is an affiliate of Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand. SEI and CU have an agreement to foster innovative scientific research combined with effective policy engagement on development and environmental challenges in Asia. The key areas of collaboration are intellectual engagement for joint research applications and fund mobilization, lectures and seminars for CU students, post-graduate supervision and examination, and CU–SEI employee links.

The role

We are seeking a Research Associate to support the delivery of projects under the Water Resources Management Cluster and Urban Cluster. In the Water Resources Management Cluster, the role will carry out a range of project work related to modeling in hydrology, water balance, water accounting, flood, drought and ecosystem functions. Within the Urban Cluster, the role will contribute to an expanding portfolio of work relating to just energy transitions. The Research Associate will also contribute towards the work of interdisciplinary teams within SEI and with partner organizations, and will support the work of SEI in external events and engagements.

Main responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the SEI strategy through intellectual contribution and consistent delivery of projects and programs.
• Lead on setting up water resources and energy modelling including hydrological models, flood models, and energy models such as WEAP, LEAP, HEC-RAS, Hec-HMS, and MIKE.
• Support spatial analysis using GIS and remote sensing data.
• Carry out rigorous statistical or qualitative analyses of data sets, including taking the lead in coding using R, Python, etc.
• Design and carry out literature reviews to a high standard.
• Design and implement primary data collection to a high standard.
• Support training on models and analytical tools.
• Contribute text in publications, training manuals, project reports and peer review papers and other forms of publications, as well as contribute to proposal development.
• Support and contribute to fundraising activities of the projects.
• Develop professional relationships and networks within and external to SEI, and with current and potential partners and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the communication of SEI´s work with partners and stakeholders.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs within assigned budgets.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the line manager and the cluster lead.

Accountability:

• Support the development of thematic areas relevant to water resources management, climate change, energy transition, and decision-support tools within the organization.
• Identify opportunities to connect own work with the work of others across SEI in Asia and globally.
• Ensure completion of assigned tasks within assigned budgets and timeframes.
• May take on the management of interns.
• Ensure professional behaviour and respectful engagement with colleagues inside and outside SEI.

Who you are

We are looking for an early career researcher who has a strong interest in researching and supporting project implementation related to water resources management, and/or climate change, energy transition, decision-support tools, and capacity-building in the Asia-Pacific region. We expect that this person will be able to apply analytical skills including programming, modelling, and GIS to create positive impacts on policy and practices. We expect that the researcher will have existing expertise in either water or energy modelling, and be willing to develop skills in the other through on-the-job training.

Formal qualifications and knowledge:

• Master’s degree in water resources management, environment or energy with a minimum of 2 years of experience in a related field.
• Having water and/or energy modelling and GIS skills.
• Experienced in program coding.
• Experienced in professional research, programme or project management, and/or the bridging of research to policy and best practices for sustainability.
• Experienced carrying out interdisciplinary projects.
• Having experience in written communications, including blogs, policy briefs, and academic writing.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experienced working in the Mekong River Basin.
• Experienced in using WEAP or LEAP models.
• Experienced in working with water and energy-related government agencies in Thailand.
• Fluent in Thai or other ASEAN language. 

Personal skills required in the position:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Having a positive influence on the attitudes of individuals and teams.
• Conveying the core values of SEI in their everyday work, including the importance of high calibre work, as well as respect and trust.
• Capable of providing and receiving feedback in a constructive and respectful manner.

Additional information

With a team comprising over 21 nationalities, SEI welcomes global applicants for all posts and provides an internationally competitive NGO salary and benefits package, with all employee contracts under Thai labour laws. For this post, we expect entry-level candidates to apply.

SEI is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants on the basis of qualifications and competencies regardless of race, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and marital status. We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organization and applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Questions?

Inquiries about the position can be directed to asiarecruitment@sei.org. 

About SEI

Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges.

We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.

Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air, and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.

We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners.

Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.