Local intro

Based in Bangkok, SEI Asia 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

The successful candidate will be based at SEI’s Asia Centre in Bangkok, Thailand to develop and execute research on the linkages between climate change, disasters, and development with migration and mobility. This exciting position will involve spearheading high-quality research from design to policy influence.  The Research Fellow will join the Migration and Mobility Hub and SEI’s global initiative on climate change adaptation, as well as contributing to the work of the Climate Change, Disasters and Development and other research clusters as appropriate.

The Research Fellow may also work across disciplines, sectors and teams including those working on gender, water, urban, and disaster issues. The position also has opportunities to mentor early-career researchers and regularly contribute to capacity building of multiple actors. A key part of the position is generating and communicating interdisciplinary research insights to a range of audiences, including high quality peer-review publications, policy briefs, and blogposts or podcasts.

The position is based in the SEI’s Asia Centre in Bangkok, Thailand and will report to the lead of the Migration and Mobility Hub, in coordination with the Climate Change, Disasters and Development cluster lead and the SEI Asia Centre Director.

Main responsibilities

Research and policy influence

• Identify, formulate, develop, lead and implement research and policy dialogue on migration, climate change, disasters, and development projects that further the aims and objectives of SEI;
• Ensure high quality research processes that will lead to peer-reviewed articles and strategic knowledge products, like discussion and policy briefs for different audiences including policymakers and media;
• Identify funding sources, lead or contribute to fundraising, and seek to secure funding for projects;
• Contribute to shifting agendas and improved policy and decision-making through collaboration and sharing research insights and recommendations in various forms and fora, from local to national, regional and global levels; and
• Support capacity building processes, in particular around intersectional gender integration, with policy, private sector, research, and civil society

Centre development

• Provide guidance, mentoring, and supervision for diverse junior staff in research development and implementation, support professional development of junior research staff, and contribute to SEI’s staff capacity development initiatives.
• Contribute to quality assurance processes in SEI to ensure scientific rigor in SEI and partner research as well as in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).
• In collaboration with the SEI Communications Team, facilitate and support internal and external communications and outreach activities including presentations, dialogues and media articles.
• Identify funding sources, lead, and contribute to fund mobilization for SEI-Asia projects aligned to SEI mandates and priorities.

Broader SEI responsibilities

• Promote the aims and objectives of SEI as set out in its Mission and aligned to its 2020-2024 Strategy. This includes participating in and contributing to the development of the SEI Asia Centre and the climate and migration research theme.
• Implement projects in a timely way, according to the work plans and available budget, cooperating equitably and effectively with partners and support teams.
• Be a proactive team member, cooperating with and supporting colleagues in the team and collaborating with other groups within the Centre.
• Ensure constructive exchange of ideas with relevant institutes, scientists and experts including other SEI Centres.

Who you are

You are an experienced social science researcher with a strong interest and proven track record in designing and implementing successful research projects in the area of migration, climate change disasters, and adaptation. You also have excellent writing skills and are able to communicate with a variety of actors. You are an outstanding team player who has good listening skills and capacity for collaboration in diverse and dynamic settings.

Required qualifications and competencies

• Doctoral degree with a minimum of 3 years or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 6 years  of professional research experience on migration, disasters, climate change and development
• Knowledge of current and cutting-edge migration theories and approaches
• Successful track record of applied research, involving multistakeholder engagement and informing policy or development agendas or decision-making as well as in leading research activities
• A solid and growing track record in scientific publications as well as capacities in writing for general or practitioner audiences
• Proven ability to successfully design research projects, secure funding, implement and manage quality research projects and deliver effectively in a timely manner
• Proven experience in proposal writing and fundraising
• Competent in quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approaches, including rigorous design, collection and data analysis
• Strong motivation, personal initiative and commitment to excellence and results, as well as enthusiasm for doing scientific research
• Excellent fluency in spoken and written English

Desirable competencies

• Experience in working in the Asian region
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly yet effectively with a range of partners (government, civil society, private sector)
• Recent or current involvement in migration-related research
• Demonstrated understanding on the migration and mobility dynamics in Southeast Asia, or any country in the region, in the context of disasters and climate change and how these affect climate change adaptation

Personal skills required in the position

• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills
• Strong motivation, personal initiative, and commitment to excellence in and influence through scientific research
• Proven capacity in people management skills
• Outstanding analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills
• Robust planning, organizational, and time management skills
• Conveying the core values of SEI in their everyday work, including the importance of high calibre work as well as respect and trust

Required competencies

Core Values

These are the shared principles and beliefs that underpin the work of the organization and guide the actions and behaviours of all employees.

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies

Skills, attributes and behaviours which are considered important for all employees, regardless of their function or level.

• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Accountability
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Communication
• Client and Results Oriented
• Organizational Awareness
• Entrepreneurship

Managerial Competencies

Skills, attributes, and behaviours which are considered essential for all employees with managerial or supervisory responsibilities.

• Empowering and Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Strategic Planning and Vision
• Leadership
• Managing Resources

Additional Information

With a team comprising over 17 nationalities, SEI welcomes global applicants for all posts, and provides an Internationally competitive level NGO salary and benefits package, with all employee contracts under Thai labour laws. For this post we expect candidates of Middle levels to apply

How to apply

SEI is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants on the basis of qualifications and competencies regardless but not limited to 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.

We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so please submit your application as soon as possible, however no later than 31 March 2023, 23:59 Bangkok local time.

Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.

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

Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to [email protected].