Head of Programme and Administration (NOD)

United Nations University (UNU)

UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in 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.

About United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) (UNU-IAS) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system and is a UNU institute based at the university’s headquarters in Tokyo, dedicated to advancing global efforts towards a more sustainable future. UNU-IAS serves the international community through policy relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, integrating its social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The activities of the institute are in three thematic areas: sustainable societies, natural capital and biodiversity, and global change and resilience. The work of UNU-IAS is directed towards priority issues for the UN system and Member States, contributing to high-level policymaking and debates to address problems of global concern. For more information, please visit http://ias.unu.edu.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the UNU-IAS Director, the Head of Programme and Administration will provide substantive support to the Director of UNU-IAS in institutional development with a focus on research and administration.Specific responsibilities include: 

1. Contribute in building and strengthening UNU-IAS research programme strategies and their implementation.

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• Provide substantive support to the development of the Institute’slong-term vision and strategic plans.
  
• Participate in UNU-IAS Strategy and Management Office (SMO) meetingsand other decision-making mechanisms related to the strategic andconceptional positioning of UNU-IAS and the management of the Institute.
  

• Coordinate different research units by organizing regular meetings and workshops to promote inter-institutional dialogue.
• As a member of the UNU-IAS Strategy and Management Office (SMO), provide institutional support to implement UNU-IAS strategies.
• Serve as a member of specific task forces including for the UNU-IAS Business Continuity Plan (BCP) as a critical staff member of UNU-IAS.

2. Build and strengthen UNU-IAS strategic partnerships, donor relations and contribute to the diversification of the donor base in line with the Institute’s strategic plans

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• Provide substantive support and advice to the Director forinstitutional fundraising strategies and play a key role in institutionalfundraising and mobilization of funding.
  
• Manage and coordinate reporting to the Institute’s key stakeholders,including donors, other UN entities, UNU Centre and the UNU-IAS AdvisoryBoard.
  
• Coordinate and liaise with donors and other external partners, andrepresent UNU-IAS in relevant working groups, steering groups, and advisorygroups meetings.
  

• Lead outreach activities within the framework of the overall strategic direction of UNU-IAS, providing inputs into the policymaking process in the UN and by Member States

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• Lead on the negotiation and drafting of institutional arrangementssuch as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and contribution agreements.
  

3. Lead the UNU-IAS Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (GSD) programme and ensure that it delivers on its mandate

• Lead on
  establishing and developing policy-relevant research for the GSD programme, including grant proposal development and fund-raising activities, in collaboration with other UN organizations and international alliances such as UNESCAP and the UNFCCC Secretariat.
• Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journal articles, books, reports, and policy briefs, and actively represent the institute by presenting papers.
• Identify and make value-added contributions on emerging issues in the field of sustainability and governance that are of interest to the United Nations, member states, and policymakers, and academia.
• Guide and lead the GSD programme by supervising the team members, ensuring that the skills of the team personnel are fully utilized and further developed in the interest and to the benefit of UNU-IAS as well as each individual.
• Develop and coordinate the Paris Agreement Specialization of Postgraduate Degree Programmes and provide supervision for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows at UNU-IAS,

4. Provide substantive support and advice to the Director of UNU-IAS in the area of administrative management

• Provide substantive input to key administrative documents of UNU-IAS, including new internal guidelines.
• Supervise on effective workflows within UNU-IAS administration and between other UNU institutes to enhance internal communications.
• Contribute to the recruitment process of UNU-IAS

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• Perform the role ofCertifying Officer
  

5. Perform other duties as assigned by Director

Key Performance Indicators

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• Timely andquality development and implementation of the institute's strategic plansand annual workplan
  
• Timely and quality delivery of operationalgoals
  
• Quality and level of engagement with partnersincluding the donors and other research and academic institutions.
  
• Improved visibility and reputation of UNU-IASamong target audiences including research partners, UN entities,governments, donors, and civil society.
  
• Timely development and implementation of resourcemobilization strategy, resulting in sufficient resources forimplementation.
  
• Solid and sustainable fundraising achievement forthe continuation of the GSD programme
  

• Performance and professional development of personnel

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.
  

Education and certification:

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• Doctoral degree or equivalent, in a field relatedto Environmental Science, Development Studies, Education, or SustainableDevelopment
  

Experience:

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• At least seven (7) years of progressivelyresponsible experience with at least 2 years of work experience atacademic or research institutions in an international environment
  
• Knowledge and experience of project developmentand formulation and management and ideally climate change and sustainabledevelopment related issues. Knowledge of the UN governance structure willbe considered as an advantage
  
• Knowledge and experience of institutional developmentand human resource management
  
• Provenrecord of fundraising activities and resource mobilization
  
• International network in at least one of theresearch fields mentioned above, and experience of organizing andparticipating in policy-oriented international conferences
  
• Excellent analytical skills as well asdemonstrated ability to multi-task and to manage own workload and scheduleto deliver timely results
  
• Abilityto work harmoniously in a multicultural environment is required; in thiscontext, a broad range of contacts within the international community ofscholars, especially in developing countries, should be demonstrated
  

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• Provensensitivity to gender issues
  

Language Requirements:

• English and Japanese fluency is essential, and so is computer literacy. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage

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

June 2023

How to Apply: 

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you: 

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  Apply via the apply link; 
• fill out theUNU 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.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 

 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a written assignment, 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.

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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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