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. 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
About Office/Institute
UNU-IAS is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IAS is a UNU institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions. Through its postgraduate education programmes UNU-IAS develops future international leaders with interdisciplinary understanding and skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability. UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, undertaken in collaboration with a global network of professionals and scholars, particularly in Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit http://ias.unu.edu
The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (OUIK) was established in April 2008 with strong support by local governments of Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City in Japan. OUIK has provided local and regional input into UNUโs sustainable development and international cooperation efforts in collaboration with other organizations, including UN agencies, academic institutes and local partners by implementing research on sustainable utilization of biodiversity and ecosystem services. OUIK also aims at developing communication and networks with local stakeholders through public outreach and capacity building, while sharing information about international trends.
Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Director of UNU-IAS and the direct supervision of the Director of OUIK and in close collaboration with the UNU personnel, the Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
Support on research activities in the Noto region:
Assist in conducting field research related to sustainability, biodiversity, and resilient regional development.
Collect and analyze data, including interviews, surveys, and environmental assessments.
Support the development of research reports, policy recommendations, and academic publications.
Engage with local stakeholders to ensure the research aligns with community needs and priorities.
Support on disaster recovery and GIAHS related projects and events in/for Noto region:
Assist in planning and organizing events that support Noto's recovery efforts.
Collaborate with local governments, NGOs, and community organizations to ensure smooth event execution.
Provide on-site support, including facilitation and event documentation.
Assist in planning and conducting of educational programs in Noto region:
Support developing educational programs that facilitate knowledge exchange between local communities, academic institutes and external stakeholders.
Liaise with local communities, businesses, and government agencies to facilitate collaborations.
Support the operation of meetings (e.g., Biodiversity Working Group), including preparing materials, taking minutes, and facilitating activities:
Assist in organizing working group meetings and other collaborative discussions.
Prepare and distribute relevant materials, such as agendas, reports, and presentation slides.
Take detailed meeting minutes and summarize key discussions and action points.
Support follow-up activities to ensure progress on meeting outcomes.
Key performance indicators
Timely and quality development and local uptake of policy and knowledge products
Timely and quality achievement and submission of deliverables
Quality engagement with international and local project implementation partners
Contribution to project, institute and UNU mission
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
A bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field such as sustainability, environmental studies, regional planning, social sciences, or a related discipline.
2) Experience
Required Experience & Skills
Working experience of at least 3 years in an academic institution or equivalent.
Experience in event planning, project coordination, or research support, preferably in sustainability, regional development, or community engagement.
Ability to engage with local governments, NGOs, research institutions, and community organizations.
Experience in meeting facilitation, documentation, and report writing.
Strong writing and editing skills for reports, articles, and media content.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in standard office software.
Ability to work in multicultural and interdisciplinary environments.
3) Preferred Experience & Skills
Familiarity with disaster recovery, rural revitalization, sustainable regional development, biodiversity conservation, or ecology.
Experience in environmental conservation, education, or research support.
Knowledge of Notoโs Satoyama and Satoumi and its environmental and cultural significance.
Work experience in a university, NPO, or similar organization.
Experience in media and communications for public outreach.
Language Requirements
Full professional proficiency in Japanese is required (JLPT N1 or equivalent).
Professional working proficiency in English is required.
Knowledge of UN official working language is an asset.
Duration
1 year
Remuneration
Daily fee: JPY 18,100
Total amount: JPY 2,606,400 (maximum)
Payment schedule and conditions:
The successful candidate shall work under a Consultant Contract (CTC) and is expected to work up to 3 days per week (maximum 144 days during the contract period), as required by the assigned tasks for the aforementioned project.
Payment, inclusive of all fees, will be made based on the daily rate and the number of actual working days in the beginning of the following month after submission of the attendance sheet and the monthly activity report. UNU-IAS shall reserve the right to withhold, in full or in part, the final payment if in its opinion the deliverables are not satisfactory.
No consultant will be permitted to provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months within a thirty-six (36) month period.
You are reminded that UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains your sole responsibility.
The consultant must have the necessary work permits.
Expected start date
June 2025
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
15 May 2025 (23:59 JST)
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
Special notice
UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.
Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a โstaff memberโ as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.
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. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.
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.
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