Job description
About UN University (UNU)
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
About Institute (UNU-EHS)
The United Nations Universityโs Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. The institute conducts research work focusing on advancing human security and well-being by addressing present and future risks arising from environmental hazards and climate change. Its main areas of work are risk & adaptation and transformation. In addition to its research work, UNU-EHS offers education opportunities at the masterโs level and hosts a number of international PhD projects and capacity-development courses on global issues of environmental risks and sustainable development. More information about UNU-EHS can be found here: https://unu.edu/ehs.
Urban Futures and Sustainability Transformation (FAST) division: The FAST division researches systemic transformation toward sustainability to inform and enhance policy. The division seeks to understand complex realities by researching social, environmental and technological sub-systems, such as infrastructure provision, social security mechanisms and related good governance approaches, with a focus on their interlinkages and dependencies. Thereby the division aims to advance system understanding and identify key leverage points for triggering change. The work is rooted in the understanding that sustainable futures require technological conversion coupled with social and environmental justice. This includes research into what lifestyles are desirable, affordable and just in a changing global environment, which in turn advances conceptual approaches to future well-being. The core focus is on urban areas, which already see the effects of global change and are among its key drivers at the same time. Based on its own primary and transformative research, FAST will provide science-based advice for inclusive urban policy action. The diverse project portfolio includes research in multiple cities and continents, including the Transformative Urban Coalitions (TUC) project, where new models of coalition building and governance are established and tested in Urban Labs. The division also engages in cross-division projects such as the FloodAdaptVN project, which aims to reduce present and future flood risks in the city of Huรฉ, Central Vietnam by developing a decision-support platform and โsolution labsโ for adaptation measures.
In doing so, the division engages with scientific and policy partners to enable and scale change processes from the local to the global level. For detailed information please visit: https://unu.edu/ehs/our-work/transformation/urban-transformation
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS / Vice-Rector in Europe and the guidance of the Head of the FAST division, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
Advance research on shifts in mindsets and behavior towards systemic transformation
ยท Contribute to the development of the divisionโs strategic approach to urban sustainability transformation;
ยท Contribute to further developing quantitative and multi-method assessments to track sustainability transformation, with a focus on assessing drivers of mindset and behavior changes;
ยท Co-shape research on the links between risk, adaptation and transformation, including on transformative adaptation;
ยท Together with the head of division and fellow senior researchers, identify transformation research questions, leverage synergies between research projects, and take over project management and PI roles where suitable.
2. Contribute to the divisionโs research, theory and policy development within diverse projects
ยท Lead the co-creation of risk knowledge and the development of a spatial risk index linked to floods and earthquakes in SAFER-BiH Project on Risk-Informed Planning in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including framework development, co-creation of conceptual risk models, indicator development, data collection, analysis and index creation;
ยท Contribute to analyzing qualitative and quantitative data from a city-wide survey on personal attitudes and actions in relation to climate change in Bonn, Germany, and co-author related policy and research publications;
ยท Contribute to the Transformative Urban Coalitions Project by supporting a quantitative survey of mindsets and mindshifts in Urban Labs, and contribute to subsequent analysis;
ยท Draw conclusions on the role of risk knowledge and perception for transformation behavior across projects, as a basis for future proposals.
3. Lead the work package โFlood risk management and adaptation pathwaysโ within the context of the FloodAdaptVN project
ยท Take a leading role in the co-creation of visions for resilient futures in Hue city;
ยท Coordinate the co-development of adaptation pathways to reach desired visions with relevant stakeholders;
ยท Contribute to planned capacity building & training activities in the project;
ยท Warrant mainstreaming of project outcomes into planning and policy processes in the region;
ยท Support the project manager in the day-to-day implementation and management of the project, including coordination with other consortium partners in the project as well as other divisions at UNU-EHS, organization of meetings, budget monitoring and reporting.
4. Engage in project implementation and outreach activities
ยท Together with the head of division and fellow senior researchers, fundraise with German as well as international donors for policy relevant research topics that also open-up possibilities for PhD students;
ยท Feed project outputs into high-impact communication campaigns, serve as media spokesperson for the division and the institute;
ยท Contribute to donor and institutional reporting;
ยท Publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals and other outlets (e.g. book chapters) and present results at scientific conferences and engaging in relevant networks (e.g. the UN Behavioural Science community);
ยท (Co)-Author policy materials, including reports, briefs, factsheets, and presentations; and engage in regional and international policy events, such as COP and World Urban Forum.
5. Contribute to capacity development and teaching activities
ยท Teach in the Joint Master Programme โThe Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Securityโ with the University of Bonn, and other universities as desired; including on the role of risk knowledge and understanding in transformation;
ยท (Co-)develop related materials for micro- and online learning formats, in English and other project languages;
ยท (Co-)supervise student assistants, MSc students, interns and visiting researchers;
ยท Contribute to different dialogue formats and organizing programme-related events and planning processes.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Key performance indicators
ยท Timely and quality development and implementation of outputs from the FloodAdaptVN and SAFE-BiH projects
ยท Timely and quality delivery of policy as well as scientific outputs
ยท Timely and quality development of a behavioral science based research framework
ยท Quality and level of engagement with project partners and stakeholders
ยท UNU is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society
Competencies
Values:
Inclusion โ 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 โ 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 โ demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
Humanity โ act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet
Behaviours:
Connect and collaborate โ build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
Analyse and plan โ 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 โ 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 โ pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
Adapt and innovate โ demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
1) Education and certification
Master's degree or PhD in Geography, Social Science, or other relevant disciplines; preferably with previous experiences in urban contexts.
2) Required qualifications and experience
ยท At least two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in research on concepts and methods related to risk, adaptation and transformative solutions, some of which preferably in an international setting. More than four (4) years of experience would be an advantage;
ยท Experience with assessing risk knowledge and understanding for transformation or adaptation;
ยท Proven experience in linking risk and transformation in research, including proposals, assessments or publications;
ยท Proven expertise in data analysis, risk and vulnerability assessment, preferably in index and conceptual model development;
ยท Experience in working with stakeholders and project consortia;
ยท Experience in drafting complex reports, scientific articles, and presentations in the in the areas described above is required;
ยท Initial experience with capacity building, training or education, preferably through prior engagement in lectures and teaching coordination.
3) Desired qualifications and experience
ยท A PhD in a relevant topic is an asset;
ยท Experience in (scientific) project management and in project reporting;
ยท Experience in the planning, organization and documentation of events, conferences, and strategic meetings;
ยท Work experience in developing economies, in particular Vietnam, is highly desired;
ยท Other Desirable Skills: initiative taking, strong conceptual abilities, drafting ability.
4) Language Requirements
ยท Fluency in English is required;
ยท Fluency in German is an asset;
ยท Knowledge of Vietnamese is an asset;
ยท Knowledge of another UN official working language 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
As soon as possible.
How to Apply
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
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);
provide a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
provide a list of publications;
provide a highest education academic certificate;
answer a few questions that are tailored to the position;
apply via the apply link;
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline
15 August 2025
Submissions must be received by CET 23:59 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.
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