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.
United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (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
Biodiversity and Society (BDS) is an Academic Programme of UNU-IAS, which implements activities to promote Socio Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) by enhancing academic excellence. Based on the research outputs, the programme contributes to the achievement of biodiversity-related global goals such as Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It also facilitates capacity development and peer learning based on accumulated experience and knowledge on SEPLS, such as developing Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR) book series, promoting other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and assisting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to promote landscape approaches through the process of revision and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to contribute to the GBF and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides operational support for the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) as its secretariat, in a fair participatory manner and through a multi-stakeholder engagement process.
Under the overall supervision of the Director of United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), and direct supervision of Programme Manager of Biodiversity and Society (BDS) Programme, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:
1. Engage in the research project “Development of an assessment report on the conceptual framework of GIAHS and its contribution to global issues and FAO’s Strategic Framework” under the Agreement between UNU-IAS and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Values:
Behaviours:
1) Education and certification
Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental field or natural or social sciences OR
Ph.D. in environment or other interdisciplinary fields related to biodiversity and society
2) Required skills and experience
3) Language Requirements
1 May 2024 – 31 December 2024
The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.
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 the sole responsibility of PSA holders.
The total amount of USD16,200, inclusive of all fees, shall be paid in two instalments as follows:
First installment: up to USD8,100, inclusive of all fees, will be paid upon submission of:
[Payment expected to be made in September]
Second installment: up to USD8,100, inclusive of all fees, will be paid upon submission of:
[Payment expected to be made in December]
UNU-IAS shall reserve the right to withhold, in full or in part, the final payment if in its opinion the said the delivery are not satisfactory. The consultant is expected to work for deliveries of the report.
This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.
Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.
Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).
1 May 2024
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
22 April 2024
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.
Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” 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.
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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