About United Nations University
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. 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. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.
The UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (-INWEH) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-INWEH’s vision is a world free of water problems where sustainable human development and environmental health and 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.
Researcher Consultant Roster
UNU-INWEH invites highly motivated and committed local and international experts with relevant experience in research, project management, capacity and education development, fundraising and who are available for short-term or part-time assignments focusing on efficient office of operations.
Join us today to play a critical role in research for policy makers and be part of enhancing the institute's visions and contributing to the development of new programs.
Experts applying to the Roster are available for consideration for immediate and whenever relevant opportunities arise and shall go through an expedited contractual process. The following descriptions are a generic list of tasks and responsibilities.
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-INWEH and the supervision of the Deputy Director at the Institute, depending on the nature of the assigned task and the expertise of the candidate, the scope of work may include the following:
Contingent upon the level of appointment, the incumbent is expected to:
1. Research, Contributions and Collaborations
Contribute to a range of UNU-INWEH’s programs and projects in terms of technical input, project reporting, preparation of outputs and products, and follow-up with external partners of assigned programs and projects.Participate in the development and implementation of UNU-INWEH’s future research and development areas.Assist in integrated, cross-thematic, and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the grand global challenges while considering water, food, land, biodiversity, risks, and vulnerabilities amid climate change while considering research-policy bridging and advocacy dimensions.Contribute technical expertise to UNU-INWEH’s other strategic areas of programs and projects.Coordinate and organize logistical arrangements for project-related events and meetings, as required.Take part in developing contracts with partners, consultants, and contractors, and supporting the implementation of these contracts to ensure timely and effective completion of tasks and disbursement of funds.Provide administrative support, as required, across projects and programs of UNU-INWEH.2. Capacity and Education Development
Contribute to capacity building initiatives on the development of the future world leaders through, inter alia: (i) assist to expand UNU-INWEH’s online educational platforms by developing and launching new courses around expertise; (ii) accommodate contribution to curriculum development and teaching in the collaborative education programs of UNU-INWEH (e.g., Water Without Borders); and (iii) attracting and supervising interns and externs, students, and young researchers, as required.3. Knowledge sharing and Fundraising
Assist to fundraising activities of the institute, including the development of cross-thematic and interdisciplinary proposals in collaboration with other program leaders at UNU-INWEH as well as in partnership with other institutions and professionals.Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and UNU-INWEH’s Director.
Competencies
Values:
Education and certification
PhD degree in water/environmental engineering or sciences, civil engineering, agricultural sciences/engineering, geography, ecology, economics, finance, political science, data sciences, public health, and other fields relevant to UNU-INWEH activity areas.Experience
Required
Three (3) years of post-master’s degree progressively responsible work experience.At least 2 years of work/research experience in one (preferably more) of these areas:integrated water resources management
natural resource economics and/or policy/governance
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and water/environmental/climate/health/agriculture informatics
geospatial data analysis
climate change mitigation/adaptation
sustainability assessment and transmission
food-water-energy nexus
agri-food-systems
environmental/climate financial risk assessment
extreme events and compound risk analysis
green/sustainable/climate finance
energy systems
land use management
ecosystem service valuation
infrastructure resilience and security
conflict resolution and diplomacy (water, environment, climate, etc.)
environmental/climate/human security
coupled human-nature systems.
Ability to conduct numerical analysis of complex datasets, and synthesis of findings from a wide body of literature in systematic/scoping reviews and policy briefs is a must.Result-oriented, self-motivated, and “hands-on” with the ability to prioritize work and do multi-tasking.Excellent writing, research, presentation, and networking skills.Experience of policy-oriented research and prior experience in project management (administration and financial aspects) are highly beneficial.Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in team-based research, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches.Experience with managing databases, word processing, and spreadsheet programs is essential.Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining online tools will be an asset.Prior UN work experience or experience of interacting with intergovernmental/governmental/non-government agencies is an advantage.Teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the subject areas relevant to the activities of UNU-INWEH is highly beneficial.Prior record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact and interdisciplinary journals is required. Ability to take initiative, prioritize and deliver results in a fast-paced work environment.Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required.Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Selection process:
Individual consultants will be evaluated according to the following:
Stage 1: Establishing a Roster:
• All applicants will be screened against the minimum requirements specified above for inclusion on a long list.
• Long-listed applicants will be evaluated through a desk review and/or interview against the following criteria based on evidence in the submitted application:
o Academic qualifications
o Relevant professional experience
o Demonstrated competencies
Successful candidates will be included in the UNU-INWEH Experts Roster for a period of 2 years.
Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee a contract with UNU-INWEH.
Stage 2: Contracting:
When a request for services arises, the HR Coordinator shall contact relevant individual(s) with the Terms of Reference, location and dates of the assignment seeking confirmation of availability.
Remuneration
Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and based on an hourly / daily / monthly rate. This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.
Duration of contract
General conditions of contracts for the service of consultants apply. Consultants will not hold international civil servant status nor be a 'staff member' as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.
Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four months of accrued service within a period of thirty-six month calendar months.
Starting date
As soon as possible
How to Apply
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
Apply via the apply link;Upload a completed and signed the UNU P11 form; kindly do not use similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations andYou may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline
Until filled
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
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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