Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization established within the United Nations System. Its mission is to engage in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination to further the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Over the past fifty years, UNU has become a vital source of impartial research focused on sustainability, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers operating across 12 countries, UNU's expertise encompasses the full spectrum of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge aimed at fostering positive global change. The organization collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions worldwide, reinforcing its commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

Job Overview:
The Consultant position at UNU-IAS involves providing comprehensive HR administrative services, focusing on recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and entitlements. The role requires the Consultant to assist in interpreting and applying human resources policies, rules, and regulations related to recruitment and staffing. The Consultant will support the organization of recruitment activities, including processing vacancy announcements and applications, facilitating communication with hiring managers and applicants, and conducting candidate background checks. Additionally, the Consultant will conduct onboarding briefings and manage separation processes while monitoring the absence management module and addressing leave-related queries. The position also entails supporting contract management, preparing contract offers, and processing extension requests for Personnel Service Agreements (PSA) and fixed-term appointments (FTA). The Consultant will provide day-to-day administrative assistance, handle operational procedures such as staff travel, procurement, payment, receipting, and event organization for the institute and project teams. The role requires close collaboration with UNU Administration to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, and process administrative actions, ensuring compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations. The Consultant will also produce official documents in Japanese upon request and perform any other duties as assigned, contributing to the smooth operation of the IAS Admin Team and ensuring timely and quality responses to queries.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides HR administrative services in recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and entitlements, including guidance on human resources policies and support for recruitment activities.
• Supports contract management by preparing contract offers, processing extension requests, and responding to personnel contract queries.
• Assists with day-to-day administrative tasks, including staff travel arrangements, procurement, payment processing, and event organization.
• Liaises with UNU Administration to initiate requests and process administrative actions, ensuring compliance with UN regulations.
• Produces official documents in Japanese and performs additional duties as assigned, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the IAS Admin Team.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, sustainable development, or a related field is required. A high school diploma with additional relevant work experience may be considered.
• Skills and Experience: A minimum of 5 years of work experience is required, with at least 2 years in an international setting, preferably in HR support. Familiarity with the UN system and sustainability issues is advantageous. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment are essential. Proficiency in IT skills, particularly MS Office, is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business, public administration, or sustainable development. Alternatively, a high school diploma combined with significant relevant work experience may be acceptable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of work experience, with at least 2 years in an international context, ideally in human resources support. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to manage a variable workload effectively and possess strong interpersonal skills to thrive in a multicultural environment.

Languages:
Strong writing and communication skills in both Japanese and English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026 (tentative). The consultant will work under a Consultant Contract (CTC) for a maximum of 234 days during the contract period. The daily fee is set at JPY 20,700, with a total maximum amount of JPY 4,843,80

• Payment will be made based on actual worked days, and the consultant is expected to work approximately 19.5 days per month. The consultant must have the necessary work permits and will not be sponsored for a working visa. Travel costs for mission travel will be covered by UNU, subject to specific prerequisites. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women and individuals from developing countries.