Job description
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. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
About United Nations University for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (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/.
UNU-FLORES is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and relevant background to act as Deputy-Director of the Institute. The position of Deputy Director at UNU-FLORES plays a vital role in building an innovative culture of research and innovation development, education and capacity development as well as outreach, advocacy and impact across UNU. This position is designed to strengthen the Resource Nexus championed by UNU-FLORES. The selected candidate will play a key role in delivering UNU’s grant generation goals through the development of a significant network of support and partnerships.
Responsibilities
Under the overall authority and direct supervision of the Director of UNU-FLORES, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following duties:
1. Research and Innovation Development on the Resource Nexus
- Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of programmes, projects and initiatives of the Institute to advance the Resource Nexus;
- Develop, lead and oversee implementation of programmes in one or more areas, identifying key opportunities to enhance organizational impact, striving for policy impact in the UN system, as well as at international, regional, and national levels;
- Identify and contribute to addressing of the emerging issues in the field of the Resource Nexus that are of interest to the United Nations, member states, and policymakers, and subsequently coordinate and ensure articulation of relevant policies, strategies, and approaches; and
- Prepare and contribute to UN- and UNU-wide network and reports, publications, and presentations to effectively communicate programme outcomes when appropriate;
2. Education and Capacity Development
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing across the sections and programmes to build capacity and promote the adoption of best practices in the areas of fundraising, stakeholder engagement and research;
- Direct and coordinate the planning and delivery of Institute’s teaching activities, such as lecture series, e-learning and capacity development training sessions, workshops, and capacity development initiatives in the Knowledge Academy for the Resource Nexus within UNU-FLORES;
- Coordinate and contribute to innovative and dynamic capacity development activities to advance the UNU-FLORES capacity development endeavours; and
- Manage the design and implementation for results focused capacity development activities to advance the research programme and associated projects such as organising workshops, meetings, symposiums, and field activities.
3. Governance and Administration of the Institute
- Share with the Director responsibility for the overall management of the institute including:
- formulating and implementing the Institute’s strategy;
- budgeting, financial planning and implementation;
- human resource management; and
- management and development of academic sections and programmes;
- Support the Director to shape the Institute’s strategic and implementation plan, ensuring that all direct reports support the execution of the implementation plan;
- Establish and maintain relationships with government, partners, donors and other stakeholders, national, and international scientific community to achieve active collaboration, cooperation and alliances on programme development and implementation, and resource mobilisation;
- Support the Director in donor relations including fundraising activities for the Institute’s programmes; preparation of proposals; and engagement with donors and other stakeholders;
- Provide guidance to Heads of Programmes on strategic programme development and project-based fundraising; ensure the quality of project outputs and adherence to internal policies and guidelines; and supervise Heads of Programmes on project implementation to achieve on-time and on-budget delivery;
- Scrutinise and critique research proposals, and grant applications;
- Lead and contribute to institutional self-governance and meetings;
- Manage activities related to fundraising and project budgets (project development and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents and reports, ensuring continuous monitoring of actual commitments and expenditures against approved plans and funding;
- Facilitate the implementation of the budget and act as Certifying Officer when appointed by the Director;
- Monitor and provide budgetary control of programmes’ activities; and lead efforts on reporting on programmes’ performance;
- Support the Director in reporting activities (e.g., contributions to annual reports) and providing inputs to UNU Headquarters and other stakeholders;
- Line manage staff, setting and monitoring team objectives, including identifying training and/or development needs and performance management issues as appropriate; and
- Promote diversity, inclusivity, gender equality and gender mainstreaming throughout the Institute’s work and research programmes
4. Outreach, Advocacy and Impact
- Coordinate outreach and engagement activities to strengthen partnerships with government entities, donors, and other stakeholders;
- Engage in international policy processes and agendas of relevance based on the Institute’s programmes;
- Collaborate with relevant actors across the UN system to facilitate policy orientation and uptake;
- Acting as UNU-FLORES focal point for relevant areas in the UN System;
- Develop communication materials, such as policy briefs, blogs, academic journal papers and internal briefing papers to contribute to dissemination of the Institute’s research results; and
- Support advocacy efforts to enhance the visibility and impact of the Institute’s work on resource management and related topics.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Key performance indicators
- Coordinate outreach and engagement activities to strengthen partnerships with government entities, donors, and other stakeholders;
- Engage in international policy processes and agendas of relevance based on the Institute’s programmes;
- Collaborate with relevant actors across the UN system to facilitate policy orientation and uptake;
- Acting as UNU-FLORES focal point for relevant areas in the UN System;
- Develop communication materials, such as policy briefs, blogs, academic journal papers and internal briefing papers to contribute to dissemination of the Institute’s research results; and
- Support advocacy efforts to enhance the visibility and impact of the Institute’s work on resource management and related topics.
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
Qualifications
1) Education and certification
- Doctoral degree in a field related to the Resource Nexus.
2) Required skills and experience
- At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible and relevant work experience including managing research programmes/projects in academia, research, or related institutions, some of which preferably in an international setting;
- Experience in a field related to the Resource Nexus would be a strong advantage;
- Demonstrated experience of administration (including finance and human resources management);
- Comprehensive knowledge of the research agenda in integrated resources management;
- Experience obtaining research funding from a variety of national and/or international sources;
- Established skills in both project and team management;
- Highly self-motivated, innovative, and organised, yet detail-oriented, with a professional and conscientious attitude and the ability to independently prioritise;
- Willing to travel as required both locally and internationally;
- Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently;
- Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes;
- 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.Desirable competencies
- Expertise in specific environmental issues in developing or emerging countries;
- Professional experience in teaching postgraduate programmes; and
- Experience with organising conferences, workshops, and summer schools, preferably at the intersection of research and policy
3) Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is required;
- Knowledge of German language is desirable; and
- Knowledge of another UN official working language or language prevalent in Latin America, Africa or Asia is an asset,
Remuneration
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
Duration of contract
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.
Starting 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 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
13 February 2025
Submissions must be received by 23:59h CET on the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.
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
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.
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
UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
