PhD Candidate: Safeguarding Trust in Climate Change Mitigation Projects in Ghana (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 0.8 - 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,434 - € 3,111
• Nijmegen School of Management
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 17 September 2021

Transnational climate change mitigation projects (TCCMPs) form part of the wider Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, span across multiple levels of governance (international, national, regional, local), and involve a broad range of actors with different worldviews and sometimes contradictory interests. The resulting tensions are aggravated by highly unequal power relationships. In terms of environmental justice, climate mitigation projects often lead to asymmetric (economic, social, cultural and environmental) outcomes and are moreover accused of neglecting local values and norms. To remedy these problems, internationally agreed safeguard protocols have been adopted for the governance of TCCMPs. As of yet, however, little is known about whether these safeguards contribute to environmental distributive justice. 

In this PhD project called 'Safeguarding Trust? The Transnational Governance of Climate Change Mitigation Projects in Ghana' you will investigate whether TCCMP safeguards foster mutual trust and thereby facilitate the recognition of local values, ensure equal co-determination rights, and contribute to an equitable distribution of benefits and burdens. You will analyse local TCCMP projects in their multi-level governance setting, including local, sub-national, national and international levels. The empirical focus will be on Ghana as a case study country that not only has become a major target country for TCCMPs but also aspires to abandon foreign aid as part of its sustainable development strategy. You will conduct multi-sited fieldwork combining ethnographic research and participatory observation at international organisations and in the donor country.

The project aims to deliver novel empirical and conceptual insights into the impact of multi-level governance architectures on environmental justice. Understanding these processes will improve the alignment of climate mitigation projects with the SDGs and allow policy-makers and practitioners to adjust the institutional design of transnational climate change mitigation projects.

In addition to research, you will teach courses at the Geography, Planning and Environment (GPE) department and the Political Science department.

Profile

• A Master's degree in a relevant social science field (e.g. Environmental Studies, Political Sciences, Political Economy).
• A strong affinity with sustainability, governance and justice issues, if possible evidenced by previous course work or papers.
• Knowledge of and experience with qualitative research methods.
• International experience and willingness to conduct fieldwork in Ghana.
• Willingness to teach in GPE and Political Sciences.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Strong skills in project management, flexibility, a proactive attitude and excellent academic writing skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

We are

The Nijmegen School of Management (NSM) is an academic centre of research and higher education, focusing on institutional and governance issues. There are seven disciplines within NSM: Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics and Business Economics, Environmental Governance and Politics, Human Geography, and Spatial Planning. NSM strives for an interdisciplinary approach to work on its mission: 'Responsible governance for sustainable societies.' Altogether, NSM employs 265 FTEs, 75% of whom are academics. 

Its Doctoral School aims to prepare future generations of researchers for their challenging tasks. We train PhD candidates to conduct research that is both scientifically excellent and socially relevant, and provide them with the support they need to develop world-class research skills and complete their PhD projects on time. We also offer a network in which PhD candidates can exchange their experiences and knowledge.
We offer

• Employment: 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,434 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,111 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P ).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• The intended start date is 1 February 2022.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?

For more information about this vacancy, please contact:
Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers, Professor, Chair of Environmental Governance and Politics
Tel.: +31 24 361 20 95
Email: [email protected]

Practical information and applications

Please address your application to Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers and submit it, using the application button, no later than 17 September 2021, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone.   

Your application should include the following attachments:

• Letter of motivation.
• CV including the contact details of two referees. 
• A transcript of grades.
• A writing sample.

The first round of interviews will take place on 1 and 8 October 2021 in the afternoon. The second round of interviews will take place on 15 October 2021 in the afternoon.

We drafted this vacancy to find and hire our new colleague ourselves. Recruitment agencies are kindly requested to refrain from responding.