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 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. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

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 developes 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

The Strategic Programme (SP) is a flagship programme implemented by the Strategy and Management Office (SMO) in collaboration with Units of Thematic Programmes of the Institute and UNU-IAS partners under the Strategic Period 2020-2024. The Strategic Programme implements a research project on the governance for sustainable Development focusing on synergies between climate change and sustainable development, budgeting and monitoring & evaluation system for SDGs. The SP promotes outreach activities on the knowledge of UNU-IAS through the channel of Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC). The GEOC was jointly established by the Ministry of Environment of Japan and UNU; its mission is to foster partnership between various stakeholders, such as international agencies, national governments, local governments, companies, nonprofit organizations and citizens, to create a sustainable society. GEOC’s main activities include: (i) international partnership building, (ii) partnership building in Japan, and (iii) information sharing and communication.

The FY2024 Study on Strengthening Resilience at regional level through Multi-stakeholder Partnerships aims to analyze international cooperation initiatives on disaster risk reduction, including loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. It will also focus on identifying the structures and key factors of effective partnerships and collaborations that enhance the resilience of local communities though the best practices on responses to natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rains in the Asia-Pacific region. Based on the analysis, the study seeks to develop policy options for enhancing resilience against natural disasters through multistakeholder partnerships at the national and local scales.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the UNU-IAS Director and the direct supervision of Programme Manager of the Strategic Programme and GEOC, within the framework of “FY2024 Study on Strengthening Resilience at regional level through Multi-stakeholder Partnerships” the consultant shall:

1. Conduct research in the area of governance for climate change and sustainable development, focusing on disaster
risk reduction and approaches to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.
• Collect information on international cooperation initiatives on disaster risk reduction, including loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change;
• Collect best practices on responses to natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rains in the Asia-Pacific region and analyze the structures and key factors of effective partnerships and collaborations that enhance the resilience of local communities;
• Based on the analysis, develop policy options for enhancing resilience against natural disasters through multistakeholder partnerships at the national and local scales;
• Produce approximately 20 pages report in Japanese including tables and diagrams summarizing the above research activities;
• Produce approx. 10 pages report in English by translating the content from the Japanese report;

2. Participate in meetings and other activities related to the above research topics:
• Participate in regular project team meetings and stakeholder meetings;
• Participate in project advisory committee meetings and present updates on the research activities in Japanese;
• Translate reports and project documents from Japanese to English and from English to Japanese;
• Collaborate with team members, communicate promptly, and adjust and revise research activities as necessary.
• Communicate with stakeholders in a timely manner to coordinate meeting arrangements, and to prepare presentations and reports; and

3. Perform other duties requested by the Head of Programme and Administration

Key performance indicators

• Timely and successful implementation of the research activities
• Produce quality progress reports and presentations.
• Produce the final report summarizing policy trends, case studies, and analysis of good practices in both English and
• Participate in regular project meetings.
• Participate in all planned advisory committee meetings and make presentations in Japanese.
• Respond to email communications promptly.

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 incase 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 in environmental science, international relations, sustainable development, or other related disciplines

2) Experience

• At least five years of working experience in government, academic or research institutions, consulting firms, and NGOs related to sustainability or environment, some of which preferably in an international and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and analytical skills as well as demonstrated ability to multi-task and to manage own workload and schedule to deliver timely results.
• Excellent oral and writing skills in both Japanese and English. This position requires development of reports and presentations in Japanese.
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• ICT literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience in working for a UN organization is an advantage.

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Japanese is essential.
• Working knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

Duration

Start date – 31 March 2025 (7 months)

Remuneration

Payment schedule and condition:
Daily fee: JPY 27,000
Payment, inclusive of all fees, will be made based on a daily rate and the number of actual working days at the beginning of the following month after submission of the attendance sheet and the monthly progress report.
The consultant is expected to work 4 days per month (maximum 28 days during the contract period). 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.
You are reminded that 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 your sole responsibility.
The consultant must have the necessary work permits.

Total amount: JPY 756,000 (maximum)

Expected start date

September 2024

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

8th September 2024 (JST)

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.

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).

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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