Location:

China
Salary:

negotiable / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

2 months ago
Category:

Information and Communication Technology, Innovation and Knowledge Management, Research and Data
Deadline:

26/08/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job description

About UN University (UNU)

UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in 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.

About UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau)

UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

UNU Macau is a research institute at the intersections of digital technology and sustainable development. The Institute conducts policy-relevant research and generates solutions, addressing pressing challenges expressed in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through high-impact innovations and the latest technologies.

Through its research, the UNU Institute in Macau encourages data-driven and evidence-based actions and policies to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

One of the Institute’s missions is to nurture the next generation of interdisciplinary computing, information and social scientists, and engineers to be leaders in the field of ICT for development.

To this end, the institute seeks to build a team of experts to help deliver the institute’s mission and work plan.

The Institute’s research tends to be more applied, and strives for policy impact in the UN system, at international, regional and national levels.

The UNU Institute in Macau is situated in the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, and it is the only UN entity in the city. Macau is one of the most dynamic regions in Asia, where technological innovations have become an integral part in driving social and economic change.

Macau is part of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), that hosts many private sector companies and technological giants that are just a short distance away.

Its proximity to China, Hong Kong SAR and other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, provides an exciting opportunity for researchers and experts to maximize the impact of their work.

Responsibilities

The UNU Institute in Macau’s research team consists of a dynamic and highly professional group of multi-disciplinary researchers from across the world.

The research team works collaboratively to seek big-sized research grants and conduct research projects together for policy impact.

The Institute has recently developed its Strategic Plan (2021-2025), where systems thinking, and participatory approaches are the two major pillars of the research portfolio (see https://go.unu.edu/DZBVR for details).

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Research, and the overall guidance of the Director of the Institute, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

Engage in research focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Assist on research programmes related to the impact of Large Languages Models on the Sustainable Development Goals and on Agentic Artificial Intelligence Systems for policy making;
Support research interns when applicable
Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility and ability to work with realistic deadlines, creative thinking, results driven, foreseeing risks and allowing for contingencies when planning

Engaging in research on the specific research areas and activities identified and agreed on with the project leader:

Attend weekly research meetings;
Participate as an active member of the Institute’s research team in production of research outputs, such as but not limited to, publications and communications materials based on research work undertaken;
Be a member of project teams under the guidance of the supervisor to deliver required standard of work related to the subject.

Contribute to training courses and deliver them to audiences such as university students, relevant government officials, UN system staff, and private sector participants:

Participate to the creation of training materials;
Participate in delivering lectures in front different audiences, such as university students, relevant government officials, UN system staff, and private sector participants;
Participate in tailoring lectures according to the needs and interests of each audience, using appropriate language, examples, and visual aids;
Be an active participant in organizing and supporting Institute events and conferences.

Be the ICT Focal Point of the Institute:

Act as the primary contact for all ICT matters within the Institute, ensuring effective communication and coordination with all stakeholders;
Work closely with UNU’s Campus Computing Center (C3) on ICT-related matters, including initiatives, security, procurement, and user support.

This involves participating in regular meetings, sharing information, and implementing UNU-wide ICT solutions that meet the institute’s needs;

Align ICT activities and projects with the UNU ICT Strategic Plan;
Protect the Institute’s data and ICT resources in line with UNU’s ICT security policies and guidelines;
Ensure ICT assets are functional, up-to-date, and meet the Institute’s operational requirements.

This includes tracking equipment inventory, scheduling regular maintenance, and identifying when upgrades or replacements are necessary. Support the Institute’s Asset Management personnel in routine management of ICT assets.

Perform other tasks as assigned by the Head of Research and/or the Director.

Key performance indicators

Timely and quality delivery on operational goals.
Timely and quality research publications.
Quality and level of engagement with partners, related networks and working groups.
UNU Macau is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.
Performance of research team personnel; produces quality knowledge products.

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

Education and certifications:

Bachelor Degree (Bsc) in artificial intelligence, computer science or data science.

We are looking for a research personnel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The selected candidate is expected to have a multi-disciplinary perspective on Artificial Intelligence, expertise in utilizing AI tools and techniques, and a focus on research application to meet diverse global challenges and policy-relevant issues.

Areas of expertise may include but are not limited to:

Impacts of AI on the SDGs;
AI for Good;
Agent-based modelling, distributed AI or social simulation;
AI and data ethics: algorithmics biases and discrimination, accountability and transparency, synthetic data.

Experience and other requirements:

Required:

At least 1 year working experience with research and background in AI and the areas of expertise mentioned in the “education and certification section”.

Exceptions can be made for strong candidates holding a master degree but with internship experience(s).

Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in an international environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Passion for the mission of the United Nations and enthusiasm to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;
This position is Macau-based. Selected candidates are required to reside full-time in Macau.

This is not a remote position.

Desirable:

Experience working with the United Nations system;
Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including public, private, non-profit and intergovernmental organizations;
Experience in working a multi-disciplinary team;

Language requirements:

Strong communication and presentation skills, along with excellent drafting skills, and fluency in English;
Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract.

UNU offers an attractive compensation package including locally tax-exempted salary (in Macau Patacas MOP) commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate.

Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU will cover the cost of travel of the international appointees (non-Macanese residents) to the duty station at initial appointment, as well as their return to their home country/point of hire upon final completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working-from-remote arrangements.

International appointees can apply for rental subsidy shall they relocate to Macau full-time, and undertake housing arrangement in Macau, excluding working-from-remote arrangements.

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.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years.

The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Expected start date:

As soon as possible

How to Apply:

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account.

Instead, we ask that you:

Apply via the apply link;
provide a curriculum vitae; please upload it in the screening questions section.
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:

26 August 2024 (11:59pm, Macau time zone GMT +8)

** Application page no longer operational beyond application deadline.

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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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.

How to Apply
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Good luck!

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