Job description
About UN University (UNU)
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United
Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in
furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global
problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic
development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth
of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU
collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information,
please visit http://unu.edu
About Office/Institute
UNU-IAS is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IAS is a UNU
institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through
policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and
environmental dimensions. Through its postgraduate education programmes UNU-IAS develops future international
leaders with interdisciplinary understanding and skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability.
UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, undertaken in collaboration
with a global network of professionals and scholars, particularly in Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit
http://ias.unu.edu
The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (OUIK) was established in
April 2008 with strong support by local governments of Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City in Japan. OUIK has
provided local and regional input into UNUโs sustainable development and international cooperation efforts in
collaboration with other organizations, including UN agencies, academic institutes and local partners by implementing
research on sustainable utilization of biodiversity and ecosystem services. OUIK also aims at developing communication
and networks with local stakeholders through public outreach and capacity building, while sharing information about
international trends.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Director of UNU-IAS and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, in
close collaboration with the UNU personnel, the Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
General Administrative Services
Support day-to-day operational tasks, ensuring efficient office functioning.
Maintain and update administrative data, records, and documentation in compliance with UNU policies and procedures.
Serve as a contact point for internal and external partners and stakeholders on administrative matters.
Event Organization
Assist in the planning, coordinating, and implementing the logistical arrangements for the events, symposiums, workshops, and meetings organized by OUIK.
Provide on-site support during events, including partner coordination, preparation of materials, and event documentation.
Travel Arrangements
Assist with travel arrangements for staff and visitors, including preparation of travel authorizations, itineraries, and supporting documentation.
Prepare travel claims and take follow-up actions in full compliance with UNU regulations and procedures.
Procurement and Logistics
Prepare and process procurement requests and supporting documentation in line with UNU requirements.
Liaise with vendors and service providers to ensure timely and compliant delivery of goods and services.
Funds and Financial Management
Track project and operational budgets and expenses, ensuring proper processing of financial transactions in compliance with UNU regulations.
Assist in producing financial reports for the donors.
Support financial reconciliation in coordination with UNU finance personnel.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Key performance indicators
Timely and quality support to the operation of the office and projects
Timely and quality contribution to the project indicators and submission of deliverables
Quality engagement with international and local project implementation partners
Competencies
Values:
Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
Behaviours:
Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
1) Education and certification
A bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field such as sustainability, environmental studies, regional planning, social sciences, or a related discipline. A high school diploma with additional years of relevant work experience may be considered.
2) Required Experience & Skills
Working experience of at least 3 years in an academic institution or equivalent (for candidates with a high school or junior college diploma), or at least 1 year (for candidates with a bachelorโs degree or higher).
Experience in event organization, administrative services, travel arrangements, procurement and logistics, or funds and financial management, preferably in sustainability, regional development, or community engagement.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in standard office software.
Ability to work in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
Preferred Experience & Skills
Experience in engaging with local governments, universities, NGOs, research institutions, and community organizations.
Experience in meeting facilitation, documentation, and reports.
Experience in media and communications for public outreach.
Familiarity with biodiversity conservation, disaster recovery, SDGs, and sustainable regional development or/and ESD.
Language Requirements
Full professional proficiency in Japanese is required (JLPT N1 or equivalent).
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of UN official working language is an asset.
Duration
1 January 2026 โ 31 December 2026 (tentative)
Remuneration
Daily fee: JPY 15,800 per day.
Total amount: JPY 3,792,000 (maximum)
Payment schedule and conditions:
Daily fee of JPY 15,800 will be paid for the number of actual worked days. The consultant is expected to work 20 days per month.
The successful candidate shall work under the Consultant Contract (CTC) (maximum 240 days during the contract period), as required by the assigned tasks for the aforementioned project.
Payment, inclusive of all fees, will be made based on the daily rate and the number of actual worked days in the beginning of the following month after submission of the attendance sheet and the monthly activity report.
No consultant will be permitted to provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months within a thirty-six (36) month period. UNU-IAS shall reserve the right to withhold, in full or in part, the final payment if in its opinion the deliverables are not satisfactory.
You are reminded that UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains your sole responsibility.
The consultant must have the necessary work permits.
Expected start date
2 January 2026 (tentatively)
How to Apply
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
Apply via the apply link;
fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline
10 November 2025 (23:59 JST)
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
Special notice
UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.
Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a โstaff memberโ as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.
UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.
UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.
Information about UNU rosters
UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.
Scam warning
UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
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