Professional Architectural Competition Advisor (Consultancy Contract - CTC)

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. UNU’s 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, UNU’s 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.

About UNU-FLORES

UNU-FLORES is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources that are of concern to the United Nations and its Member States – particularly in developing and emerging economies. Based in Dresden and Weißwasser, Germany, the Institute engages in research and innovation development, education and capacity development as well as outreach, advocacy and impact to advance the Resource Nexus. For more information, please visit https://flores.unu.edu/.

Architectural Competition: House from Waste

The vision for a House from Waste (HoW) is to create a pioneering public sector building that exemplifies environmental stewardship, circular economy principles, and human-centered design. HoW takes a circular economy approach where waste streams in the local (and future) context are carefully identified, selected, transformed, and reused to create a comfortable and environmentally friendly workplace. An international architectural competition shall invite a broad range and high level of innovation in design solutions for the construction of HoW. As a project of public significance and of pioneering spirit, a wide degree of design investigation is required. The project brief shall be developed with experts from different disciplines – architects, civil engineers, material scientists, waste scientists, sustainability scientists, social scientists – to best centre the Resource Nexus. A two-stage competition may be considered to ensure a high quality and diverse range of potential architects. Altogether, the architectural competition shall generate public interest and promote a high level of design and scientific excellence. Engaging a Professional Architectural Competition Advisor to lead the organisation of the architectural competition ensures a smooth and successful process, from inception to completion.

Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Strategic Initiatives, the Contractor will provide support to UNU-FLORES by performing the following tasks:

1. Development of competition brief and conditions in consultation with international content experts

• Organise a workshop or any innovative format to solicit input on competition brief; and
• Prepare and submit the competition brief.

2. Coordination of content experts, jury members, and collaborating partners

• Acting as delegate of UNU-FLORES in planning and coordinating the architectural competition and making all necessary operational decisions;
• Coordinating the selection of and engagement with content experts, jury members, and collaborating partners; and
• Focal point for enquiries related to the competition.

3. Coordination of judging process

• Verify the compliance of entries with the competition conditions;
• Ensure impartiality of the jury process and each jury member; and
• Take appropriate action in relation to any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.
  

4. Intangible Deliverable: Throughout contractual period, provide strategic expert advice and support with quality assurance through any project related meetings and consultations, e.g., via online conference contributions, inputs and/or feedback on draft reports. 

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

1) Education and certification

- Doctoral, master’s or equivalent degree related to architecture.

2) Required skills and experience

- Minimum five (5) years of experience as a registered architect, or an architectural academic, critic or commentator;

- Track record of organising architectural competitions, preferably on an international level;

- Excellent communication and writing skills;

- Strong planning, organization, and time management skills, with a professional and conscientious attitude and the ability to independently prioritise; and
- An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, as demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

3) Language Requirements

- Professional level Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is required.

Duration

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

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 the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with education and experience of the selected candidate and based on applicable daily rate. 

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Travel considerations

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).

Expected start date

Immediate.

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 aportfolio showcasing your expertise and experience in organizing architectural competitions (using Upload your Cover Letter box) and/or link(s) to your portfolio by answering to the relevant question;
• 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

03 April 2024

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 “staff member” 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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