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. UNUโs mission 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, United Nations University (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, UNUโs work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 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-IAS)
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 Strategic Programme (SP) is a flagship programme implemented by the Strategy and Management Office (SMO) in collaboration with Units of Thematic Programmes of the Institute and UNU-IAS partners under the Strategic Period 2025-2029. The Strategic Programme implements a research project on the Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, focusing on synergies between climate change and sustainable development, budgeting, and monitoring & evaluation system for SDGs. The SP, in collaboration with other units and partners of the UNU-IAS, is developing and implementing policy-oriented capacity building and educational programmes such as Diploma Programme for Specialisation on the Paris Agreement. The SP also promotes outreach activities on the knowledge of UNU-IAS through the channel of Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC). The GEOC was jointly established by the Ministry of Environment of Japan and UNU; its mission is to foster partnership between various stakeholders, such as international agencies, national governments, local governments, companies, nonprofit organizations and citizens, to create a sustainable society. GEOC's main activities include: (i) international partnership building, (ii) partnership building in Japan, and (iii) information sharing and communication.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the UNU-IAS Director and under the direct guidance and supervision of the Head of Programme and Administration, the Programme Researcher will implement research, capacity building, and educational programmes in the Governance for Sustainable Development focal area under the Strategic Programme of the Institute. The Programme Researcher will assist the Head of Programme and Administration to lead and coordinate Instituteโs academic and administrative activities which will contribute to achievements of the Instituteโs Strategic Plan 2025-2029. Specific responsibilities will include:
1. Design, develop, and implement research and capacity building activities in governance for climate change and sustainable development focusing on the following areas:
Implement policy-oriented research in climate change and sustainable development that will contribute to implementing the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, and other multilateral environmental agreements such as climate change adaptation, loss and damage associated with climate impacts, transformation of energy system, sustainable food system, synergies between climate change and sustainable development goals;
Design and develop new academic activities in governance for climate change and sustainable development
Initiate and develop grant proposals and resource mobilizations for the above activities;
Publish academic papers and policy briefs related to the above research activities in a timely manner;
Promote outreach and knowledge management through presentations at conferences, workshops and events and other communication tools;
2. Coordinate academic and administrative activities in the Strategic Programme focusing on the following areas:
Coordinate administrative activities in the Strategic Programme, including matters related to memorandum of understandings, financial agreements, contractual procedures, organization of the team meeting and other team communications, knowledge sharing and day-to-day-operation;
Implement communication, outreach and knowledge management of Instituteโs products in collaboration with the IAS Communications Team, the Global Environment Outreach Centre, and other research projects of the Institute;
Support the Director and the Head of Programme and Administration by providing talking points and presentation materials for UNU-IAS Board meeting as well as other events and conferences, and by coordinating with partners;
3. Design, develop, and implement educational activities in in governance for climate change and sustainable development focusing on the following areas:
Develop the course syllabus and conduct lectures on the Specialisation on the Paris Agreement under the UNU-IAS Postgraduate Degree Programmes;
Provide academic advice to (a) student(s) specialised in Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable development for writing thesis and other academic activities;
Engage in the faculty meeting of the UNU-IAS Postgraduate Degree Programmes;
4. Develop and maintain partnerships and engage stakeholders for scaling up impacts of the Strategic Programme focusing on the following areas:
Enhance partnerships with other organizations and networks to promote the academic activities of the UNU-IAS including the Paris Agreement Article 6 International Partnership (A6IP), and the youth empowerment programme on UNFCCC and other related bodies;
Enhance partnerships with other UNU institutes for promoting a UNU wide initiative such as engagement with conferences on the UN Conventions;
Engage various stakeholders in the project activities of the Strategic Programme through co-organisation of the events and co-creation of research and capacity building projects; and
5. Perform other duties as required by the Director and the Head of Programme and Administration.
Key performance indicators
Quality and quantity of conducted research and prepared academic papers, policy briefs and/or reports related to the assigned research project topics.
Timely and quality development of policy tools, programmes and partnerships
Quality and quantity of outreach activities on the academic activities of the SP in conferences and events
Quality assistance in mobilising funds for the academic activities of the SP
Quality of delivered lectures and supervision of students
Quality coordination of the team to implement academic and administrative activities
Quality and level of engagement with partners including the donors and other research and academic institutions
Competencies
Values:
Inclusion โ 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 โ 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 โ demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
Humanity โ act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet
Behaviours:
Connect and collaborate โ build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
Analyse and plan โ 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 โ 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 โ pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
Adapt and innovate โ demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
1) Education and certification
Ph.D. in development studies, environmental science, social science, policy studies or other relevant fields
2) Required skills and experience
At least 2 years of progressively responsible in an international environment including working experience for a government;
Proven record of publications, including academic papers and policy briefs related to climate change and sustainable development;
Experience in preparation and participation for international conferences including UNFCCC as a national delegation;
Experience in administrative work including coordination with and reporting to donors and other organizations;
Experience in successful fundraising for academic activities;
Ability to conduct multi-tasks and to manage own workload and schedule to deliver timely results; and
Ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment, proven sensitivity to gender issues and respect for diversity.
3) Language Requirements
Excellent communication skills with fluency in both oral and written English and Japanese is essential.
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.
Expected start date
1 June 2025 (negotiable)
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
2 March 23:59(JST) 2025
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.
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.
or