Job Opportunity: Senior Researcher at United Nations University (Full Time)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars dedicated to policy-oriented research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination. For over 40 years, UNU has been a leading think tank, providing impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With over 400 researchers across 12 countries, UNU’s work covers all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, fostering global change through more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies, universities, and research institutions worldwide.

UNU Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)

UNU-CPR is one of 14 UNU research and training institutes. Based in New York, with a satellite office in Geneva, UNU-CPR focuses on policy-driven research and thought leadership on critical issues for the United Nations and its Member States. The Centre addresses urgent policy needs with innovative solutions and promotes long-term resilience through research, dialogue, strategic meetings, and policy coordination.

Research Areas

UNU-CPR’s research program is divided into three pillars, each of which is led by an experienced policy researcher (Head of Pillar):

• Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace
• Equitable Development
• Anticipatory Action and Innovation

Position Overview for Senior Researcher

The international community has long struggled to address weaknesses in global institutions. The UN Secretary-General highlights the need to rethink global governance to meet modern challenges in a multipolar world. His Our Common Agenda report calls for new governance approaches in areas like outer space and artificial intelligence, which face poor regulation. However, political polarization complicates these efforts, with many nations prioritizing national interests over global cooperation on issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality.

UNU-CPR aims to address these issues through a new line of research. The Senior Researcher will support strategic convenings and investigate the effectiveness of issue-based coalitions and regional institutions. This role will also explore innovative approaches to global governance, equitable decision-making, and strengthening multilateralism. Reporting to the UNU-CPR Director, the Senior Researcher will work across three research pillars, propose and implement independent projects, and contribute to policymaking at the United Nations. Additionally, they will participate in major international conferences, including the 2024 Summit of the Future and the 2025 World Social Summit.

For more information about vacancy background: [Vacancy Brief: Senior Researcher Multilateralism]

Key Responsibilities

• Develop Research Projects

  • Develop and propose research projects with clear beneficiaries and a theory of impact.
  • Identify priority policy processes, institutions, and States that will benefit from the research.
  • Leverage and build upon existing UNU-CPR’s networks and existing research initiatives.
  • Define target policy audiences, drawing on UNU-CPR’s network and your own; develop a clear engagement strategy; demonstrate uptake of research findings and recommendations.
  • Identify synergies with research programmes across UNU and across UNU-CPR, and invest in joint research projects and collaborative fundraising.

• Project Fundraising

  • Identify donors, fundraising pathways, and new partners to support individual projects.
  • Contribute to the diversification of UNU-CPR’s donor pool and build ties to relevant foundations.

• Research Dissemination

  • Deliver a range of publications—long-form, editorial, and collaborative works—that have high uptake potential in the UN system, targeted Member States, or other relevant organizations.
  • Contribute to enhancing UNU-CPR’s visibility by serving as an expert contributor on high-level panels, expert roundtables, and in the media.
  • Foster research collaborations that will consolidate expertise on issues relevant to the themes of multilateralism and global governance.
  • Organize high-level meetings and events drawing together key UNU-CPR stakeholders.

• Management Support

  • Support the UNU-CPR Director and administrative/management personnel as required to ensure sound and effective management and administration of the Centre.
  • Contribute to quality assurance processes that ensure high-quality outputs at UNU-CPR.

• Support UNU Headquarters

  • Support the UNU Rector/UN Under-Secretary-General and Headquarters colleagues on any substantive and administrative requests that may be made, including system-wide initiatives.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regular delivery of high-quality knowledge products providing new insights.
• Attract third-party funding for projects.
• Enhance UNU-CPR’s visibility and demonstrate the Centre’s utility to the UN system in strategic locations.
• Broaden the community of UNU-CPR partners, collaborators, and donors.
• Participate in and convene high-level meetings offering new insights to UNU-CPR’s policy stakeholder community.
• Contribute to the implementation of the UNU-CPR Strategic Plan and the UNU Strategic Plan.

Qualifications

• Academics and Certification

  • A PhD in a relevant academic discipline is strongly preferred. However, an advanced degree coupled with a strong publication record and professional experience in fields including, but not limited to, economics, law, political science, international relations, international development, or public policy may be considered.

• Required Skills and Experience

  • Extensive knowledge of the United Nations, its principal agencies, and bodies, particularly in areas like international cooperation and development, economics, human rights, international public policy, and global governance.
  • Familiarity with UN-Member State dynamics and inter-governmental processes.
  • Between 5-7 years of relevant policy research experience or a combination of professional and research experience.
  • Exceptional drafting skills, with experience in writing and editing academic reports and policy-focused communications.
  • Demonstrated success in fundraising and managing donor relations.
  • Excellent analytical and presentation skills.
  • Ability to establish priorities, multitask, and report work activities to management in a timely and proactive manner, while working within tight timelines.
  • Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender parity.
  • Proficiency with various research methodologies and data analysis methods.

• Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

• Location Requirement

  • This is a full-time position based in New York City. The role requires a minimum number of days in the office and frequent in-person meetings at the United Nations. Remote work or telecommuting is not possible for this role. Candidates must be able to commit to a full-time position in New York City.

Competencies

• Values

  • Inclusion: Foster an environment of dignity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their identity, including age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of identity.
  • Integrity: Uphold ethical standards and promptly address any instances of unprofessional or unethical behavior, adhering to United Nations standards of conduct.
  • Humility: Exhibit self-awareness and a willingness to learn from others, valuing diverse perspectives.
  • Humanity: Align actions with the United Nations’ core purposes of promoting peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet.

• Behaviors

  • Connect and Collaborate: Build and maintain positive relationships to advance the work of the United Nations, working effectively as part of a unified team.
  • Analyze and Plan: Utilize data from a range of sources to understand issues, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions, and develop action plans.
  • Deliver Results with Positive Impact: Ensure accountability for delivering results that make a meaningful difference to the United Nations’ goals and the communities it serves.
  • Learn and Develop: Commit to personal learning and development while also contributing to the growth and development of others.
  • Adapt and Innovate: Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in problem-solving, and the ability to think and act in novel ways to address emerging challenges.

Remuneration

• Contract Type: Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) with UNU.
• Annual Net Salary: USD 110,000 to USD 130,000, based on experience and qualifications.
• Benefits:
  • 30 days of annual leave.
  • Health insurance scheme.
• Tax Information: UNU is not responsible for any taxes levied on the remuneration. The payment of such taxes is the sole responsibility of the PSA holder.

Contract Duration

• Initial Contract: 1 year.
• Renewal: Possible, subject to requirements and satisfactory performance.
• Maximum Duration: The combined duration on a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years.
• Mandatory Retirement Age: 65 years.

Starting Date

• Q4, 2024.

Application Process

• How to Apply

  • Apply via the provided link here.
  • Complete the UNU P11 Form (avoid using similar forms from other UN organizations).
  • Provide a motivation statement in the P11 form.
  • Answer position-specific questions.
  • Refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

• Application Deadline

  • 31 August 2024, 12pm New York time.

• Selection Assessment

  • Qualified candidates may undergo an assessment exercise.
  • This may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and reference verification.

Special Notice

• UNU staff members are international civil servants subject to the Rector’s authority and may be assigned to any UNU activity or office.
• 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 organization.
• Applications from developing countries and from women are strongly encouraged.
• Internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.
• UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and unethical behavior, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
• Supervisors must have awareness of 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 at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

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