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
UNU-INWEH, headquartered in Richmond Hill (Greater Toronto Area), Canada, is one of 13 research and training institutions that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-INWEH’s vision is a world free of water, environmental and health problems where sustainable development, environmental health, and human security are assured for all. Its mission is to help resolve pressing water, environmental, and health challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their people. UNU-INWEH pursues its mission through critical analysis and synthesis of existing bodies of scientific discovery; targeted research that identifies emerging policy issues; application of on-the-ground scalable science-based solutions to grand water, environmental and health challenges; and global outreach.
Under the overall guidance of the Director and as a member of the Office of the Director's team, the Head of Research and Training will play a key role in supporting the Institute in the successful implementation of its strategic plan (2025-2029) through contribution to leading, coordinating, and implementing research projects and academic programmes, engagement with external partners, and delivering high-quality outputs. Key responsibilities include:
1. Research and Programme Management
Co-lead the design, planning, and coordination of research and capacity-development projects in line with UNU-INWEH's Strategic Plan (2025-2029)
Identify and contribute to emerging issues in the water, environment, and health domains that are of relevance to the United Nations, member states, and policymakers, and translate them into actionable research and policy initiatives.
Lead and coordinate the preparation of project proposals, concept notes, budgets, results frameworks, and donor submissions, in collaboration with senior staff and relevant administrative colleagues.
Support and manage the resource-mobilizations activities, including drafting progress and financial reports and coordinating inputs for donor communications, under the guidance of the Director and in cooperation with the Finance and Partnerships teams.
Work closely with the focal points of the five interconnected thematic work areas of the Institute during the 2025-2029 period to ensure successful implementation of the strategic plan.
2. Academic Research and Knowledge Generation
Conduct and publish high-quality, policy relevant research in the Institute's expertise domains and thematic work areas.
Author and co-author peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, and technical reports that advance UNU-INWEH's research visibility and policy influence.
Collaborate with academic and UN partners to develop interdisciplinary methodologies and evidence-based policy tools.
Ensure scientific rigor, ethical research standards, and adherence to UNU publication guidelines in all outputs.
Represent UNU-INWEH in international and regional scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences.
3. Education and Capacity Development
Design and deliver teaching modules, workshops, and e-learning courses in UNU-INWEH's thematic areas.
Supervise and mentor staff, fellows, consultants, graduate students, interns, and visiting researchers, contribute to joint postgraduate programmes and doctoral supervision when relevant.
Support the Director in expansion of the capacity building activities and impact
Develop innovative capacity-building activities, including seminars, policy dialogues, and training events to strengthen institutional and partner capacities.
Engage in international policy processes and contribute to the dissemination of scientific results for practitioners and policy communities.
Oversee the operations and expansions of the Online Learning Centre of UNU-INWEH.
4. Programme Management and Institutional Development
Oversee implementation of research and training projects to ensure timely delivery of outputs, compliance with UNU and donor regulations, and sound financial management.
Contribute to UNU-INWEH's strategic and implementation planning, annual reporting, and cross-programme coordination.
Support the Director in developing partnerships with governments, donors, and UN agencies, contributing to resource mobilization and institutional growth.
Actively promote diversity, inclusivity, and gender equality in all aspects of programme development and implementation.
5. Outreach, Communication, and Impact
Support the dissemination of research outcomes through academic and policy channels, as well as media and stakeholder engagements.
Collaborate with communications staff to translate technical findings into accessible messages for policymakers and the public.
Support strengthen UNU-INWEH's visibility and partnerships through participation in global and regional policy dialogues, advocacy initiatives, and UN system coordination mechanisms.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Timely, high-quality implementation of research and programme activities, ensuring outputs and knowledge products meet UNU-INWEH standards.
Quality and impact of academic contributions through peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and technical reports that strengthen UNU-INWEH’s visibility and credibility.
Effective engagement and partnership development with governments, donors, UN entities, and academic institutions to drive collaboration and funding growth.
Sound compliance and resource management, ensuring financial, human, and technical resources are efficiently managed in line with institutional and donor requirements.
Inclusive leadership and team development, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and mainstreaming gender equality and sustainability across programmes.
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 degree (Ph.D.) in a field related to water or environmental science/engineering, natural resources management, physical geography, remote sensing, or a related field.
Advanced training or certification in management, administration, monitoring and evaluation, or PMP would be an asset.
2) Required skills and experience
At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in research and programme/project management within academia, research institutions, or international organizations, including supervisory responsibilities.
Proven record of scholarly analytical work and the application of remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and environmental informatics, with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications or equivalent outputs in sustainability or environmental governance.
Experience designing and implementing research projects on water, environment, health, or sustainable development, with demonstrated academic and policy relevance.
Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, fundraising, budgeting, and donor reporting for research or capacity-building projects.
Experience developing and delivering capacity-building or educational activities, such as postgraduate courses, training modules, workshops, or online learning.
Experience working in international or multicultural environments, including the supervision of postgraduate students.
Expertise in environmental or sustainability issues in developing or emerging-economy contexts, particularly related to water, climate or resource governance.
Experience organizing academic or policy events such as conferences, workshops, or summer schools at the research-policy interface.
3) Desired skills and experience
Recognition within the professional or scientific community (e.g., participation in advisory committees, conference panels, invited talks, or peer-review roles) would be a strong asset.
4) Language Requirements
Fluency in both written and spoken English is required
Knowledge of another UN official working language is 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 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.
Immediate
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.
8 February 2026
Submissions must be received by 11:59PM EST on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
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.
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.
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