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 team also collaborates on training and education programmes. 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). Senior Researchers (Team Lead) are expected to work with the Institute’s Head of Research and the Director to drive these two pillars and thereby help the Institute reach the vision set out in its Strategic Plan:

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

1. Lead research focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Develop research programmes aligned to their expertise with their team, and carry out research relevant to the vision and strategy of UNU-Macau at an international level;
• Manage a team of inter-disciplinary researchers while overseeing multiple projects carried out within the team;
• Oversee the budget and finance of projects delivered by the researcher’s team;
• Manage, mentor and coach junior researchers and student researchers/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.

2. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Lead the development of resource mobilization strategies for policy-relevant topics in the assigned portfolio; implement the resource mobilization strategies on behalf of the Institute and with the multidisciplinary team;
• Establish and maintain partnerships with government, UN entities, private sector, NGOs and other key, stakeholders and donors to collaborate actively, and achieve fundraising results;
• Oversee MoU signing with partners, and negotiate deliverables and grant funding with donors;
• Establish reporting accountability framework to ensure that donors are duly informed on a timely basis. Plan financial and human resources needed for grant projects;
• Execute grant and project funds with full compliance to donor agreements; and
• Engage policy consumers from research conceptualization and collaborate closely along the way.

3. Exercise the highest professional and ethical standards when conducting research, and ensure high quality research outputs are delivered focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure that all relevant research projects undertaken in her/his team have met requirement of the Ethical Review Board (ERB)’s reviews before data collection;
• Monitor and evaluate research activities, including supervising project leaders in drafting and submitting periodic reports;
• Prepare presentations and reports on programme activities for various audiences;
• Publish in high quality academic journals;
• Create diverse written products related to the research projects or areas of expertise, such as academic papers in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals, blogs, op-eds, policy briefs, and UN reports; and
• Collaborate with the Communications team on outputs for social media and platforms.

4. Communicate research accomplishments at academic conferences, and especially high-impact international venues (e.g. UN conferences) focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Explore and suggest academic conferences and events to present research results; participate if approved;
• Contribute to the Institute’s publication/social media platforms to release academic achievements, such as to supply blog posts, journal articles, tweets, etc.

5. Lead and oversee training or educational activities in the research areas of their team; participate in Institute events focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure capacity development of UNU personnel in the application of research, fundraising and reporting tools and practices;
• Execute teaching and training responsibilities on behalf of UNU Macau; and
• Be an active participant in organizing the Institute events and conferences.

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

Requirements: