The United Nations University (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 (UN). 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 UN 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, 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.
UNU-MERIT contributes to UNU’s mission through high-quality research and education in the fields of innovation, development, and public policy. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of complex global challenges and how to govern them, from its core expertise, to help create a world where societies champion well-being and inclusive sustainable development.
The UNU‐MERIT Institute and the INSPIRE department of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) of Maastricht University work together in the UNU-UM Collaboration – which goes by the brand name UNU-MERIT – through a joint strategic plan and integrated activities. Taken together, UNU‐MERIT is currently one of the largest UNU institutes counting some 40 full time academic staff, about 30 in house PhD fellows and 90 MSc students, following the UM-UNU dual degree MSc programme on Public Policy and Human Development. In addition to the degree programs, UNU-MERIT engages in capacity building activities for professionals working in innovation, development and public policy.
The Director will lead and manage the UNU-MERIT Institute, the UNU-UM Collaboration, and INSPIRE. Therefore, the Director will be accountable to both the Rector of UNU and the Rector of UM on the respective parts of the Collaboration, overseen by a Steering Committee, composed of the UNU Rector, the UM President, and an independent member, and follow the applicable UNU and UM rules and regulations . The Director will also be appointed as a University Professor at UM – through a formal secondment of 40 % (or 0.4 FTE).
Leadership and strategic management
Serve as the Chief Academic and Administrative officer of UNU-MERIT and have overall responsibility for the direction, organisation, administration, and programmes of UNU-MERIT (the Collaboration, the UNU Institute, and INSPIRE (UM)).
Oversee the recruitment of personnel, research associates, fellows and trainees of UNU-MERIT and ensures academic excellence in all activities.
Research and education programmes
Lead and oversee the implementation of an impact-driven programme of substantive research, education and capacity-building.
Promote gender equality and gender mainstreaming in all research, education and training programmes.
Resource mobilization and donor relations
Develop excellent donor relationships, increase and diversify funding.
Oversee the fundraising, development and strengthening of research programmes, ensuring that research outputs are of the highest quality and policy recommendations are channeled effectively to the UN system, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Coach researchers in preparing excellent proposals and in engaging with research partners and donors.
Represent UNU-MERIT and establish strategic partnerships
Develop the programme of work, budget estimates of UNU-MERIT, and personnel plans and submit those to UNU and UM through their respective channels.
Direct both the UNU and UM personnel of UNU‐MERIT within the framework of the collaboration agreement between UNU and UM.
Establish advisory bodies as necessary in connection with the activities of the Institute. Make arrangements with relevant national, regional and international institutions and organizations with a view to offering and receiving services related to the activities of the Institute.
Knowledge sharing and collaboration
Facilitate the dissemination and translation of the Institute’s knowledge products to key stakeholders and the public.
Co‐ordinate the programme of work of UNU-MERIT with the other UNU institutes.
Participate in the periodic Conference of Directors of UNU institutes, and in the “Bestuurlijk Overleg” of the UM School of Business and Economics.
UNU-MERIT is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by national and international donors, governments, research partners, civil society, Maastricht University, and the UN System.
Implementation of a high-quality research and education programme for UNU-MERIT, including delivering research outputs, capacity building activities, and events. A high level of academic excellence is guaranteed in the UNU-MERIT’S academic activities.
Donor support of UNU-MERIT is increased, by building excellent donor relationships and diversifying funding sources
The UNU-MERIT Collaboration as well as its respective UNU and UM components are managed effectively and efficiently taking into account the applicable policies of UNU as well as applicable policies from UM.
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 – as well as those of Maastricht University – and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN or UM 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 and build positive relationships with others inside and outside UM to promote the work of UNU-MERIT
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
A doctorate qualification in the field of Economics – preferably with a specialization in innovation or development – , Public Policy or Innovation Studies, or related field.
Required skills and experience
Extensive knowledge of Development, International Economics, Innovation Economics, and/or Public Policy.
Relevant and high-quality research output published in peer-reviewed journals.
Minimum of 15 years of experience notably in teaching, didactical qualities, and, as possible, supervising PhD theses.
Demonstrated strategic leadership skills, strong interpersonal skills, political tact, and ability to work in a multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Demonstrated responsible management experience, including financial and human resources management, ideally in a leadership role within an international organization, academic institution, or a think tank.
Proven track record of significant resource mobilisation for international projects and donor relations;
Demonstrated knowledge of the policy-making process in an international environment, with a focus on low and middle-income countries;
A highly collaborative style with ability to manage several initiatives concurrently.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
A proven commitment to human development and the UN values and principles.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Dutch or other official languages of the UN would be an asset.
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
This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for four years with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.
For director positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed eight (8) years. The mandatory age of retirement for UN staff is 65 years.
1 September 2025 or earlier
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
Apply via the apply link;
fill out the