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Jakob Granit talks about his new job as SEI Center Director in Stockholm
Jakob Granit is the new centre director at Stockholm Environment Institute's (SEI) headquarters in Stockholm. Jakob joins SEI from Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), where he has been responsible for applied research and advisory services. Jakob Granit assumed his new post on 1 September.“Jakob has long and substantial international experience in the fields of environment and development, which fits SEI's profile hand in glove. He will bring important skills to SEI and I am delighted that we have succeeded in recruiting him as a new center director in Stockholm”, says Johan Kuylenstierna, executive director of the Stockholm Environment Institute.
“I look forward to being part of the leadership of one of the most reputed research institutions working on many aspects of development and the environment. Of particular interest to me is the SEI's international network of contacts with staff and research centres in several countries”, says Jakob Granit, new Centre Director for SEI’s Stockholm centre.
Jakob Granit holds a Ph.d. in geography and has 20 years of experience working on the development and management of transboundary water resources. He has held many senior positions at national and international level, most recently from a position with responsibility for applied research and advisory services at SIWI.
“In my role as Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute's Stockholm centre, I see great opportunities to contribute to solutions to the world's development problems. Today there is much knowledge about sustainable development – we know where the problems lie and have a lot of knowledge about how ecosystems work – but the challenge is to find solutions that create opportunities for sustainable growth”, says Jakob Granit.
Jakob Granit has previously worked at the World Bank, where he led the World Bank's regional team in East and Central Africa that worked across sectors, advising governments on water resources for economic growth, food and energy security. He has also worked for Sida, where he developed and managed Sida’s transboundary water resource initiative in southern Africa.
These experiences make Jakob an authority on issues connecting water, energy and food security and underpin his demonstrable abilities to lead large, complex teams in international environments.
“I’m drawn towards finding solutions that are attractive and function in different locations and situations. In Sweden as well as in the rest of the world, we have an enormous challenge in creating future jobs. What should people do? That’s where I see SEI playing a major role as an independent research institute, developing creative solutions that help to provide sustainable jobs for a sustainable society.”
Earlier this year Jakob was also appointed to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) advisory panel. The panel (Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, STAP) consists of six internationally recognized experts that provide strategic, scientific and technical advice on the GEF's work. The Global Environment Fund is now the largest global fund for environment and development and consists of 182 countries in partnership with international institutions, organizations and the private sector.
”With this appointment to the GEF, I will get a good insight into how governments think about cross-border environmental problems, such as climate and water issues, and can contribute with my knowledge of how cooperation across borders can be stimulated.”
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