Research Fellow and Academic Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars dedicated to policy-oriented research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination to further the principles of the United Nations Charter. Established over five decades ago, UNU has become a vital source of impartial research 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 in 12 countries, UNU's expertise encompasses the full spectrum of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), generating policy-relevant knowledge aimed at fostering positive global change. The organization collaborates closely with various UN entities and leading research institutions worldwide, reinforcing its mission to address pressing global challenges through research and capacity building. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.

Job Overview:
The Research Fellow and Academic Associate position is integral to the Innovation and Education (IVE) Programme at UNU-IAS, which focuses on promoting innovative and inclusive education and lifelong learning for sustainable development. This role encompasses two primary functions: conducting research for the IVE programme and serving as an academic coordinator for the UNU-IAS Postgraduate Degree and Training Programme (PDT). The successful candidate will develop research plans aligned with the UNU IAS Strategic Plan and the global SDGs agenda, particularly SDG

• They will engage in policy-oriented research, contribute to international debates on sustainable development, and implement capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with various partners. Additionally, the role involves supporting the delivery of postgraduate programmes and training, contributing to curriculum development, and advising students. The position requires a proactive approach to resource mobilization and maintaining strategic partnerships within the academic community and the UN system.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct research projects for the IVE programme, ensuring alignment with the UNU IAS Strategic Plan and global SDGs agenda, particularly focusing on SDG
• Produce quality research outputs, including policy briefs and journal articles.
• Implement capacity-building initiatives by designing and executing activities in partnership with organizations like the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) and Regional Centres for Expertise on ESD (RCEs). Mainstream action-oriented pedagogies in capacity-building programmes.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships between the academic community and the UN system, coordinate the Greening Community pillar in the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership initiative, and develop grant proposals for research activities.
• Support the delivery of the Postgraduate Programmes and Training (PDT) by contributing to course teaching, curriculum development, and student selection processes.
• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor, ensuring timely and quality delivery of research outputs and engagement with partners.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Ph.D. in education, social sciences, development studies, environmental science, policy studies, or a related field. Candidates must have at least three years of working experience in higher education or professional institutions, preferably in an international and multicultural environment. Scholarly competence in international educational development, education for sustainability, and climate change education is essential, along with a proven record of publications in these areas. Experience in resource mobilization and grant management is required, as well as excellent analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively. Candidates should also possess teaching experience, particularly in research methods and quantitative data analysis, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to diversity.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field such as education, social sciences, development studies, environmental science, or policy studies. This advanced degree is essential for conducting high-level research and contributing to academic programmes at UNU-IAS.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in higher education or professional institutions, with a focus on international educational development and sustainability. Experience in a multicultural environment is preferred, along with a demonstrated ability to engage in scholarly research and secure funding for projects.

Languages:
Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written, are mandatory. Knowledge of other UN official languages and Japanese is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to UNU's mission.

Additional Notes:
The successful candidate will be employed under a national Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract, with an initial duration of one year and the possibility of renewal based on performance and organizational needs. The monthly net salary ranges from JPY 614,417 to 678,917, depending on experience and qualifications. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave and a health insurance scheme. The position is expected to start on 1 August 202

• UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women and individuals from developing countries. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior in all aspects of its operations.