Project Researcher on economic and social analyses and ES valuation
Project Researcher on strengthening HELCOM work on economic and social analyses, focus on ecosystem services and their valuation
The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organization (Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden) with its headquarters (Secretariat) in Helsinki, Finland, working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. At present, we are around 30 staff members at the HELCOM Secretariat, and our working language is English. We offer an open, friendly, dynamic and energetic, often fast-paced, international working environment offering all staff members the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to achieving our common goals. For more information about HELCOM, please visit our home page: www.helcom.fi.
We are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic expert to strengthen our team as a Project Researcher in the field of economic and social analyses.
HELCOM work on economic and social analyses
Socio-economic analyses provide information and perspectives to help inform public decision-making by providing valuable insights into the relationship between society and the environment. HELCOM has been continuously expanding the scope and level of ambition of the socio-economic work under its umbrella, as well as its use in policy and management. The identification of ecosystem services, spatial distribution of provisioning of ecosystem services and the valuation of ecosystem services has, for the first time, been incorporated in the third holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea, to be published in March 2023. The planned work builds on previous processes within HELCOM, including the following:
- The work with ecosystem services under the Third Holistic Assessment of the Status of the Baltic Sea Environment (to be published in March 2023).
- The HELCOM BLUES project work on ecosystem services and their valuation.
Responsibilities
The Project Researcher’s task is to carry out the further development of social and economic analyses under the umbrella of HELCOM. Particularly with regard to identifying and analysing ecosystem services, areas and components provisioning ecosystem services, linking ecosystem function to ecosystem services, as well as the valuation of ecosystem services in the region, in relation to conservation efforts and the Baltic Sea MPA network. The Project Researcher is responsible for producing relevant project deliverables, reporting and communicating project work and outcomes to relevant HELCOM groups, contributing to other relevant project tasks and cooperating with project partners and, for work packages (WP) where HELCOM has the lead, coordinate the work with WP partners. The Project Researcher will cooperate closely with HELCOM and project staff, as well as a wide variety of international networks and regional experts.
The activities include:
- Prepare an initial proposal/work plan for the tasks to be carried out;
- Where needed, execute desk studies and literature reviews to collate information;
- Support the efforts to review the socio-ecological framework and methodologies in the Baltic Sea region and other European marine areas, including the application of the Ecosystem Services Cascade Model;
- Further develop methodology and execute analyses for identification of ecosystem services, ecosystem service provisioning, linking ecosystem function and ecological aspects to ecosystem services, identify the benefits society derives from the ecosystem services and assess the monetary and non-monetary values using quantitative ecological economic modelling and qualitative valuation methods;
- Seeking and incorporating guidance from regional Experts, EGs and WGs;
- Prepare products and material, including project reports, guidelines and manuals.
Qualifications and experience
The successful candidate shall have:
- University degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in socioeconomics or other related field (e.g. socioecology);
- Minimum of two years of relevant professional experience at national or international level;
- Familiarity and experience in several of the following:
- Identification of ecosystem services and provisioning of ecosystem services,
- Linking ecosystem function and ecological aspects to ecosystem services,
- Identification of the benefits to society from the ecosystem services,
- Assessing the monetary and non-monetary values of ecosystem services using quantitative ecological economic modelling and qualitative valuation methods,
- GIS knowledge,
- Environmental/marine policy at the national or international level,
- Interdisciplinary work
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills and proven ability to deliver to tight timelines;
- Ability to work independently, take responsibility and initiative;
- Excellent social and team skills;
- Proficiency in English as well as high competence in IT skills;
Experience in the following work will be considered an asset:
- Projects related to the marine environment/Baltic Sea and/or multinational projects;
- Experience of international cooperation;
- Experience with international marine conservation governance frameworks;
- Policy implementation experience.
Terms of appointment
The appointment is planned to be full time, starting in April 2023 and for a duration of 40 months. The monthly salary is 2.800 € per month. Please note that HELCOM salaries are exempt from Finnish income tax.
How to apply?
Candidates with the required expertise and qualifications are invited to submit their application (consisting of a CV and a motivation letter) via e-mail to recruitment@helcom.fi no later than 21 March 2023. Please write “Project Researcher on ES” in the subject field of the message.
