Job description
About UN University (UNU)
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
About Institute (UNU-EHS)
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
The United Nations Universityโs Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. The institute conducts research work focusing on advancing human security and well-being by addressing present and future risks arising from environmental hazards and climate change. Its main areas of work are risk & adaptation and transformation. In addition to its research work, UNU-EHS offers education opportunities at the masterโs level and hosts a number of international PhD projects and capacity-development courses on global issues of environmental risks and sustainable development. More information about UNU-EHS can be found here: https://unu.edu/ehs.
Eurac Research
Eurac is a private, non-profit, interdisciplinary research center in Northern Italy established in 1992. With 11 research institutes, 6 cross-cutting centers and 700+ staff, Eurac Research provides expertise and develops practical solutions in the fields of environment, migration, minority rights, medicine, energy, and innovative technologies. Eurac contributes to healthy societies, fostering in particular the development of mountain regions as well as the livelihood of their communities, and supports the management of social, cultural and ecological diversity. The Eurac premises are located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in the heart of the Alps and close to the Dolomites.
Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) Division
In 2019 UNU-EHS and Eurac Research initiated a new joint research programme. The Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) programme combines the scientific profiles and capacities of both institutions. It seeks to increase the resilience of mountain communities towards natural and man-made hazards and disaster risks, to protect the wealth of biological and cultural diversity, and to support the sustainable development of these highly sensitive social-ecological systems. The GLOMOS mission is to turn science into action by strengthening solution-oriented and innovative management of disaster risks in mountains through an integrative approach fostering transdisciplinary research and technology transfer. The GLOMOS programme provides a bridge between science and global conventions: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), the Paris Climate Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals. GLOMOS activities comprise research for and in mountain regions worldwide โ from the global to the local level โ as well as the campaigning work for a larger recognition of mountain issues in global policies, initiatives and finance schemes. The GLOMOS programme has two offices, one at UNU-EHS at the UN Campus in Bonn / Germany and one in the premises of Eurac Research in Bolzano Italy. The duty station for the here announced position is the latter one.
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Vice-Rector/Director of UNU-EHS and the direct co-supervision of the Head of the GLOMOS Bolzano office, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
Science and research
ยท Develop research strategies and scientific research line questions in cooperation with the Head of GLOMOS
ยท Sharpen the scientific profile of the GLOMOS programme, particular in the social science fields and with a regional focus on South-East and East Asia
ยท Conduct research activities within the fields of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Indigenous and Local Knowledge, and sustainable development and management of social-ecological systems in mountain regions
ยท Develop and publish scientific papers in international journals
2. Programme management and development
ยท Act as first contact point for the GLOMOS Bolzano office, support the Head of the GLOMOS programme in all aspects of management and organisation of the GLOMOS Bolzano office
ยท Be responsible for the planning, organization and documentation of GLOMOS events, conferences, and strategic meetings
ยท Bring forward the development of GLOMOS work, particularly concerning social science aspects and for the mountain regions in South East and East Asia
3. Project acquisition and management
ยท Take a leading role in the identification of funding sources for research projects and the generation of project proposals
ยท Run research projects as responsible project manager including the management of partner organisations and budget issues
ยท Monitor financial and project budgetary status of projects and provide officers responsible with information as required
ยท Supervise junior team members in ongoing scientific project activities in management tasks
ยท Contribute to GLOMOS capacity development activities (training and education)
4. GLOMOS visibility
ยท Support the communication and dissemination of GLOMOS activities and project results
ยท Support the establishment, maintenance and documentation of networks and relationships with other international actors and institutions active in the area of mountain research
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Key performance indicators
ยท Timely and quality delivery of research results and respective publications
ยท Quality of innovative research design for the acquisition of GLOMOS scientific projects
ยท Timely and quality support for reporting and management of the GLOMOS Bolzano office
ยท Quality and level of engagement with project team, consortium partners and stakeholders
Competencies
Values:
ยท 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.
ยท 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.
ยท Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
ยท Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
Behaviours:
ยท Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
ยท 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
ยท 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
ยท Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
ยท Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
1) Education and certification
Masterโs degree or PhD in physical + human geography, ecology, environmental science, social anthropology, spatial planning or any other scientific discipline relevant for the thematic areas of GLOMOS
2) Required skills and experience
Required qualifications and experience
ยท At least two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in scientific project and/or programme support or implementation, some of which preferably in an international environment. More than four (4) years of experience would be an advantage;
ยท Familiarity with mountain environments and with existing international mountain research networks and related scientific institutions;
ยท Familiarity with a diverse range of scientific methods and associated software relevant for scientific activities in mountain regions;
ยท Excellent communication and writing skills with respect to scientific as well as non-scientific texts;
ยท Familiarity in training and capacity development activities;
ยท Self-reflective team player with strong networking and interpersonal skills, and experience in working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Desired Qualifications
ยท A PhD in a relevant topic is an asset;
ยท Experience in (scientific) project management and in project reporting;
ยท Experience in the planning, organization and documentation of events, conferences, and strategic meetings;
ยท Public speaking/presentation as well as moderation skills;
ยท Knowledge and experience of processes and procedures of United Nations agencies or international organizations;
ยท Willingness and capability of travelling and working in mountainous, higher altitude regions.
3) Language Requirements
ยท Fluency in English is required;
ยท Good knowledge of Italian and German is a strong asset;
ยท Good knowledge in any additional language, especially an East-Asian language, is an asset;
ยท Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Remuneration
UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL
Duration of contract
This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.
For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.
Starting Date
1 September 2025.
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
3 March 2025
Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
Special notice
Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.
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 and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.
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.
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