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.

About Office/Institute

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.

Responsibilities

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)

• Design and implement the research project in consultation with other researchers, advisors, and relevant stakeholders.
• Design the case study of Ifugao Rice Terraces as GIAHS and other relevant systems and issues in the Philippines
• Collect and analyze the data in collaboration with a possible cooperating organization in Ifugao, Philippines (Ifugao State University Center for Ifugao Rice Terraces as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IFSU GIAHS Center) – TBD).
• Design field trip(s), including identifying key stakeholders and/or persons subject to interview, scheduling interviews and meetings with their agendas question items, and making the summary report(s) in collaboration with the above-mentioned possible cooperating organization.
• Keep all the records, including primary and secondary data, and record related to meetings and interviews and field trips, and continuously manage data in the shared folders accessible by the project team members.
• Ensure consultation with other project members and advisors and relevant stakeholders as appropriate and maintain a high level of transparency and quality information.
• Contribute to development of an assessment report on the conceptual framework of GIAHS and its contribution to global issues and FAO’s Strategic Framework, including an interim report if necessary, in collaboration with other researchers.

2. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality development and local uptake of policy and knowledge products
• Timely and quality achievement of project indicators 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

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

• Master’s degree with at least 5 years OR Ph.D. with at least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental research, some of which preferably in an international setting;
• Knowledge of SATOYAMA Initiative and GIAHS;
• Experience in drafting complex reports, communications, and presentations is required;
• Experience with research and training activities in the Philippines is advantageous;
• Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, drafting ability, resilience, and an interest in development and environmental work.

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in local language(s) in the Philippine is advantageous
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Duration

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.

Remuneration

• All the records, including primary and secondary data, and record related to meetings and interviews and field trips, necessary to design and implement the case study of Ifugao Rice Terraces as GIAHS and other relevant systems and issues in the Philippines

[Payment expected to be made in September]

[Payment expected to be made in December]

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Travel considerations

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).

Expected start date

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

22 April 2024

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 “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.

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

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