Programme Lead for Science and Technology at United… · Geneva

United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

United Nations University Centre for Policy

United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-CPR headquarters are in New York. The Centre prioritizes urgent policy needs requiring innovative, practical solutions oriented toward immediate implementation and sustainability over the long term. The UNU-CPR Office in Geneva collaborates with the full range of policy actors in International Geneva, and helps bridge the policy ecosystems in Geneva and New York. More information about its work is available here: https://unu.edu/cpr. This is an in-person position, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

This position offers a unique opportunity to engage in substantive research and link scientific and scholarly communities to policymaking in the multilateral system. Over the past two years, UNU-CPR Geneva has significantly grown its science and policy work, including becoming the Research Lead for the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, initiating an ambitious series of science/policy dialogues with diplomats, and establishing a fellowship exchange that brings leading experts to Geneva for science/policy research. The below role is being created to manage and lead this expanded science/policy workstream for UNU-CPR, and to help build a broader range of partnerships in Geneva and beyond.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of UNU-CPR, Geneva, the primary responsibilities are:

1. Research and programme leadership

• Design and lead policy-relevant research agendas and workstreams on issues of strategic importance to the multilateral system;

• Lead and oversee the production of high-quality policy reports, publications and other research outputs, identifying implications for the multilateral system and relevant policy audiences;

• Contribute to UNU-CPR's work as Research Lead for the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, including onemerging science and technology issues of relevance to the multilateral system;

• Develop and lead thematic portfolios and initiatives at the intersection of science, technology and global governance, including environmental issues, in collaboration with UNU-CPR's Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies and relevant colleagues and partners;

• Implement relevant research methodologies and approaches, including foresight and interdisciplinary research, into UNU-CPR's work.

2. Coordination, partnership-building and representation

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with scholars, scientists, UN entities, Member States, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders;

• Represent UNU-CPR in high-level forums and strategic engagement in Geneva and beyond;

• Strengthen the positioning, visibility and reputation of UNU-CPR as a trusted and dynamic partner to the UN system and other stakeholders, including Member States;

• Contribute thought leadership at the science-policy interface, including on the risks and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, and strengthen UNU-CPR’s voice in relevant policy and expert forums.

3. Strategic planning and development for the Geneva Office

• Contribute to the strategic development and implementation of the Geneva Office’s priorities and work programmes, working closely with the Head of Office to shape those priorities;

• Manage key workstreams and identify new opportunities for collaboration;

• Develop resource mobilisation strategies and joint initiatives with strategic partners in support of the Office's priorities;

• Lead strategic convening and engagement activities that advance the Office’s priorities.

4. Management and other responsibilities

• Supervise and manage personnel, fellows, consultants and other contributors, including through work planning, guidance and quality assurance, as relevant to assigned programmes and workstreams;

• Contribute to the effective management and development of the Geneva Office, including through delegated responsibilities and support to the Head of Office.

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and high-quality research and writing;

• Professional engagement with partners and stakeholders;

• Regular and clear updates on research progress;

• Contributes to the reputation of the Geneva Office as a reliable, trustworthy, and dynamic actor in the policy ecosystem of Geneva and beyond.

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