Consultant: Researcher, Multilateralism and Global Governance

About UN 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 Research (UNU-CPR)

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 with an office in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNU-CPR’s core mission is to produce policy-focused research and thought leadership on issues of strategic importance to the United Nations and its Member States. The Centre prioritizes urgent policy needs requiring innovative, practical solutions for immediate implementation. The Centre’s work also contributes to the long-term resilience of the multilateral system through dialogue, research, strategic convenings, and policy coordination.

More information about its work is available here: https://unu.edu/cpr

Project: Global Governance Innovation Platform (GGI)

Project Description:

The GGI platform is a multi-year initiative created to help UN Member States design new multilateral mechanisms that can help address pressing global challenges—from chronic underdevelopment to new planetary risks.

GGI documents and shares practical examples of institutional innovation in global governance, drawing on 80 years of multilateral cooperation to surface models relevant to the design of new global institutions. GGI works from the premise that the international community has repeatedly found creative ways to meet governance challenges. Its purpose is to make those solutions better known.

The centerpiece of the project is a dynamic digital platform featuring data visualizations, case studies and historical analysis designed to help Member States and stakeholders navigate the complex task of institution-building.

Information on the project is available at:

https://unu.edu/cpr/project/global-governance-innovation-platform

https://governanceinsights.unu.edu/

The Researcher will join the Global Governance Innovation Platform project (GGI) team at UNU-CPR’s New York office. This is a 16-month in-person position, working on a hybrid schedule.

The Researcher will conduct research and analysis of governance innovations across sectors, regions and levels of governance; organize and host impactful strategic convenings; and lead policy briefings and other strategic engagements including through participation in high-level panels, expert roundtables, and in the media.

The Researcher will also lead the development of case studies, exploring innovative approaches to global governance, more equitable approaches to decision-making in international institutions, and strategies to strengthen multilateral cooperation.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNU-CPR Director and Senior Researcher, the Researcher will have the following responsibilitites:

1. Research and Data Gathering

• Develop and propose research topics of relevance to the GGI project and its stakeholders.
• Identify priority policy processes and intergovernmental negotiations, as well as institutions, and Member States that will benefit from the GGI research.
• Contribute new case studies to the GGI project.
• Validate case study data with GGI partners.
• Develop media assessments by carrying out interviews relevant to GGI research.
• Support implementation of the project in line with donor priorities.

2. Publications and other outputs

• Author long-form thematic research reports, policy briefs, and short-form media outputs on select GGI themes.
• Commission expert policy briefs on priority GGI topics in line with donor priorities.
• Develop training materials related to GGI for use in online courses.

3. Public engagement and partnerships

• Develop a clear engagement strategy, prioritising Member State engagement on GGI research themes.
• Serve as an expert contributor on high-level panels, expert roundtables, and in the media.
• Identify experts, and regional partners that help advance GGI’s reach and expands project beneficiaries.

4. Team Engagement: Oversight of fellows, consultants, and interns

• Support the recruitment and supervision of experts, fellows, consultants and interns as appropriate.
• Liaise with UNU-CPR Communications and technical teams to ensure the regular development of GGI media and outreach materials and incremental development of the GGI platform.

5.Management Support: Administrative and corporate duties

• Support the UNU-CPR Director and administrative/management personnel as required to ensure sound and effective management and administration of the project.

• Contribute to quality assurance processes that ensure high-quality outputs at UNU-CPR.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality implementation of the GGI project
• Quality and level of engagement with partners and policy stakeholders within and outside the UN System
• Quality and extent of research output
• Regular and clear updates on research and activities progress

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