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SEDIMENT RESEARCH INTERN - Ho Chi Minh City Coordination Office

Vacancy #:   5352
Unit:   Vietnam Programme Coordination
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Vietnam Country Office, Hanoi, Viet Nam
Reporting to:   Deputy Head of Lower Mekong Subregion
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   I
Expected start date:   01 September 2022
Type of contract:   Fixed-term (6 months)
Closing date:   15 May 2020
BACKGROUND
This internship aims to offer students undergoing graduate or post-graduate studies and recent graduates a meaningful work experience by supplementing their learning through a practical and on-the-job training approach. In doing so, the intern’s knowledge is supplemented through a practical learning experience while IUCN derives some level of advantage from the young professional’s services as well as the possibility of gaining new perspectives from the intern.
JOB DESCRIPTION
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:


IUCN’s Mekong Delta Program needs research assistance with sedimentation processes and strategies in coastal aquaculture systems in the Mekong Delta.

The Intern will work under the supervision of the Deputy Head of Indo-Burma Group and be based at the IUCN Project Office in HCMC. Travel to project sites will be undertaken in conjunction with IUCN’s Mekong Delta Coastal Habitats project and the Nature Based Solutions to Address the Coastal Squeeze project.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Research task:

The research will help to quantify the amount of inorganic sediment that is accumulating in the 4 major types of coastal aquaculture systems in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta and link this data to the water management (sluice gate operations) practices of farmers. The 4 major aquaculture systems include: 1) integrated mangrove shrimp; 2) rice-shrimp; 3) extensive shrimp; and 4) intensive shrimp.

The suggested research hypothesis is that land use systems with more frequent connections to waterways accumulate more inorganic sediment than those with less frequent connections which can help mitigate subsidence.

The suggested scope of the research includes:

1. Quantifying the amount of sediment accumulation in shrimp ponds;
2. Identifying the farm water management practices that affect sediment accumulation;
3. Accounting for factors that affect sediment availability at the farm gates including, seasonality, farm locations within the irrigation system, etc.
4. Estimating the potential contribution of the (dry) sediment accumulation towards elevation over time;
5. Farmer perceptions of sediment benefits and costs.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES and DELIVERABLES:

• Data from field sampling and interviews;
• A research paper.


Duration: August – December 2022
Office base: Ho Chi Minh City

While based at the HCMC Project Office, the Intern will report to and be supervised by the Deputy Head of Indo-Burma Group in addition to his/her Academic Supervisors at the student’s home institution.
REQUIREMENTS
  • Currently enrolled in a graduate university programme (e.g., Masters or its equivalent). The internship experience should be in line with the student’s field of study and the requirements set by the academic institution;

• Have knowledge of sedimentation processes in a delta context;

• Familiarity with necessary sampling methodologies;

• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views;

• Fluency in spoken and written English;

• Personal flexibility and high motivation
APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/


About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

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