Research Fellow (André Hoffmann Fellowship)

School of Business

Short Description

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), the leading university of lifelong learning and social good, invites applications for the André Hoffmann Fellowship on Philanthropic Private Public Partnerships for Climate and Nature as part of the Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) programme at the World Economic Forum.

Job Description

About the Fellowship Programme:

The André Hoffmann Fellowship on Philanthropic Public Private Partnerships (PPPP) for Climate and Nature offers early-career academics the opportunity to work at the intersection of society, science and technology through a joint appointment between the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the SUSS.

The Hoffmann Fellowship is co-hosted evenly between the World Economic Forum and the Singapore University of Social Sciences. With joint guidance from a Forum director and a faculty supervisor at the SUSS, the Fellow will help build and drive intensive collaborations between the WEF and SUSS to deliver specific action-oriented outcomes through:

• Researching key issues in climate philanthropy and innovative solutions to climate issues.
• Developing and executing initiatives to bring technology to bear on solving important global challenges.
• Engaging Forum Partners – including leaders from the private sector, governments, international organizations, civil society and faculty from diverse academic disciplines – to build select key initiatives.

This fellowship will provide you with valuable hands-on experience in grant making, project management, and strategic planning in the field of climate change. You will have the opportunity to engage with leading scientists, policymakers, and environmental organizations, contributing to impactful philanthropic initiatives.

About the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate

The Centre for Nature and Climate seeks to safeguard our global commons. The vision is a net-zero, nature-positive, circular economy that enables a resilient and regenerative planet for humans and all other species. The mission is to convene key stakeholders and act as an enabler at scale for the systems change required for the socio-economic and ecological transition.

The Centre develops multistakeholder partnerships to accelerate action, scale solutions and support policy for a net-zero and nature-positive transformation. It provides a trusted and vibrant platform to progress towards the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by enabling its community to:

• Keep on the pulse of issues and trends on the nature and climate agenda
• Build connections and drive momentum across industries and regions
• Scale innovation and public-private initiatives to shape a better future

The Centre’s work is organised in three pillars:

1. Net Zero – industry transition
2. Nature Positive – ocean, terrestrial and polar ecosystems
3. Better Living – food, water and circular economy

About SUSS

SUSS is a university with a rich heritage in inspiring lifelong education and transforming society through social sciences. The University develop students and alumni to be work-ready and work-adaptive, aspiring to reach their full potential, through our 3H’s education philosophy – ‘Head’ for professional competency with applied knowledge, ‘Heart’ for social awareness of the needs of the society, and ‘Habit’ for passion towards lifelong learning. More than 44,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education, and each year, over 21,000 students are pursuing their full- and part-time studies with us.

About the Initiative

With only 2% (between US$7.5 - 12.5 billion) of global philanthropy going towards climate action there is an increasing need to respond to the demands of the climate emergency with new collaboration models. How can philanthropy use their resources and interventions in catalytic ways to help unlock private capital and public procured funds needed for the world to reach its climate ambitions?

The initiative is looking to hire a Fellow who will work closely with the Forums Head of Centre for Nature and Climates and Faculty at the SUSS School of Business for the next two years, convene leaders from the public, private and philanthropic sectors to identify and target climate and nature solutions where they are best positioned to play a catalytic role; pilot and refine funding models that can support PPPP interventions and scale up and replicate successful approaches to new sectors regions and actors.

The SUSS and the World Economic Forum are looking for a Hoffmann Fellow contributing to this initiative while jointly reporting to the Head of Centre for Nature and Climate and to the Dean of the SUSS School of Business.

The role will be based in Singapore (School of Business Singapore University of Social Sciences) while jointly working with the World Economic Forum in Geneva and Singapore.

Duration and Location of the Fellowship

• The André Hoffmann Fellowship is two years in duration and the Fellow is asked to commit full time to the role
• The Hoffmann Fellow is expected to travel to the Forum’s Headquarters in Geneva for at least one week during the first four months of the Fellowship as part of the onboarding process. After that, the Hoffmann Fellow is expected to travel to Geneva a couple of times during the two years to meet and work with the Geneva based team
• The Forum's Head of GAEA Programme will meet with the Fellow on a regular basis, virtually and where practicable at the SUSS campus to support the integration of the Fellow and advance the initiative
• A successful candidate for the Hoffmann Fellowship is aware of these fellowship residence requirements and agrees to abide by them.

Responsibilities

• Road test the GAEA Analytical Framework for the Asian context, support deep-dive analysis with an Asia backdrop
• Identify/Generate relevant Asian data to make the case for public-private-philanthropic partnerships in the Asian context
• Build the case for incubation of public-private-philanthropic partnerships in the region
• Explore the role of low carbon technologies and innovation to support Asian public-private-philanthropic partnerships
• Engaging Forum and academic institution Partners – including leaders from the private sector, governments, international organizations, civil society and faculty from diverse academic disciplines – to build new initiatives
• Researching key issues and the potential to harness innovations to provide climate and philanthropy solutions
• Lead the build out of a community of practice in Asia-Pacific in the nature-based climate solutions space, including academics/universities, project developers, scientists
• Where applicable, play the role of an expert in Forum projects related to the future of philanthropy and climate

Qualifications / Discipline

• PhD (or have the PhD conferred by the time the appointment commences) in the social sciences discipline, business/finance, or engineering.

Skills

• Excellent command of spoken and written English, proficiency in other languages is advantageous
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including communicating complex concepts to non-expert audiences
• Proven experience engaging in complex stakeholder consultations and networked activities across a wide spectrum of cultures.
• Ability and active willingness to collaborate and jointly shape initiatives
• Ability to work in a highly demanding, fast-paced environment
• Self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational skills
• Comfortable with change and ambiguity
• Proficient with current digital platforms

Experience

• Early stage of academic career
• A strong passion for climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability and an understanding of the issues of philanthropy for nature-based climate solutions
• An understanding of low carbon technologies needed in South East Asia
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in working on the nexus of technology, finance and policy issues in environmental sustainability
• Demonstrated ability to work across different cultures and with high level officials and executives
• Experience working in or collaborating with the public or private sector (preferred)
• Experience in the area of monitoring, reporting and verification (preferred)

How to apply

Interested applications should submit the following documents & information under “My Document” via our career page.

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae, with a complete list of publications
• At least one sample of published work
• A research statement (maximum 2 pages) of no more than 800 words, explaining the candidate’s research experience, most impactful publications and aptitude in relation to the job description
• Contact information for three referees

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.