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
United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (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
Under the Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (GCSD) programme of UNU-IAS, the JSPS Project titled โReconceptualizing Well-being to Foster a Sustainable Society through Indigenous and Youth Perspectives from the Global Southโ aims to reconceptualize well-being as envisaged by indigenous peoples, specifically youth, in Asia, Americas, Africa, and Oceania. For this purpose, the research considers four case studies from each region to understand indigenous peopleโs conceptualizations of well-being, and strategies for their values integration into the dominant conceptualizations of well-being and sustainability agenda.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of the GCSD, and in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators of the JSPS Research Project, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:
1.Conduct data collection and data analysis for Hawaii during the project
Assist in designing data collection tools and protocols aligned with project objectives.
Make visits to collect data in Hawaii through the regional workshops in collaboration with local partners.
Support analysis of collected data from Hawaii through data cleaning, coding, and organization
2. Review of well-being literature with a focus on indigenous perspectives
Conduct a detailed review of indigenous well-being literature to identify indicators of Indigenous conceptualizations of well-being.
A review of 15โ20 credible and culturally relevant sources for Hawaii, prioritizing Indigenous authorship.
Contribute to the preparation of at least one research paper during the contract period.
3. Support with the development of standardized template for data management
Assist in developing a standardized, culturally informed data analysis template with stakeholder input, revised iteratively, compatible with analysis tools.
Provide inputs to ensure cultural and contextual relevance of Indigenous values and practices across case studies.
Prepare the summary report for Hawaii and contribute to draft reports for other countries.
4. Any other related tasks assigned by the Head of GCSD.
Key performance indicators
A review of credible and culturally relevant sources per country, prioritizing Indigenous authorship.
A standardized, culturally informed data analysis template co-developed with stakeholder input.
As appropriate, community participation during field visits and workshops to produce clean and reliable data.
Culturally grounded well-being indicators aligned with broader project and policy frameworks to the extent feasible.
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 Master's degree or equivalent in Environment Science or related field.
2) Experience
Working experience of at least 1 year in an academic institution, International Organizations or equivalent;
Strong experience in well-being science evident through publications or other outputs;
Experience in leading well-being research and its outreach, including connections with indigenous communities and related organizations;
Strong research skills and the ability to review and understand scientific literature on well-being science;
Ability to prepare reports, research papers, and other documentation to present findings clearly and effectively.
Language Requirements
Fluency in both spoken and written English.
Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Duration
1 September 2025 โ 31 March 2026 with possibility of extension until 31 March 2027.
Remuneration
175 USD per day for up to 56 days (USD 9,800 maximum).
Payment schedule and conditions:
The fee will be paid monthly upon submission of the time sheet and a brief activity report.
Travel, if required, will be covered separately. There are no other fringe benefits.
The successful candidate shall work under the Consultant Contract (CTC) for 2 days per week on average, as required by the assigned tasks for the aforementioned project. No consultant will be permitted to provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months within a thirty-six (36) month period.
The successful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a โstaff memberโ as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.
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.
Expected start date
September 1, 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
1 August 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
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