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
About UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
UNU-IAS is one of 13 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 including master’s and doctoral degree programmes, UNU-IAS develops 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
Biodiversity and Society (BDS) is an academic programme of UNU-IAS, which implements activities to promote Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) by enhancing academic excellence. Based on the research outputs, the programme contributes to the achievement of biodiversity-related global goals such as Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It also facilitates capacity development and peer learning based on accumulated experience and knowledge on SEPLS, such as developing Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR) book series, promoting other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and assisting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to promote landscape approaches through the process of revision and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to contribute to the GBF and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides operational support for the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) as its secretariat, in a fair participatory manner and through a multi-stakeholder engagement process.
The UNU-IAS Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (OUIK) was established in April 2008 with strong support by local governments of Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City in Japan. OUIK has provided local and regional input into UNU’s sustainable development and international cooperation efforts in collaboration with other organizations, including UN agencies, academic institutes and local partners by implementing research on sustainable utilization of biodiversity and ecosystem services. OUIK also aims at developing communication and networks with local stakeholders through public outreach and capacity building while sharing information about international trends.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the UNU-IAS Director, the Programme Head will lead, manage, and supervise the Biodiversity and Society (BDS) Programme, and UNU-IAS Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (UNU-IAS OUIK) in line with the UNU-IAS Strategic Plan. Specific responsibilities will include the following:
1. Establish, develop, and lead academic programme and associated projects of the BDS and OUIK projects, focusing on the delivery of policy-relevant research;
- Contribute to the biodiversity-related international discussion and frameworks such as Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration;
- Lead activities of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) as the IPSI director, based on the IPSI Plan of Action 2023-2030 and the Actionable Implementation Plan;
- Promote research activities on SEPLS sustainable management, including the Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR);
- Enhance policy advice by building a model for localization of the SDGs and develop a platform to promote multi-stakeholder partnerships within the Hokuriku region, as well as among international networks; and
- Promote field-based research for biodiversity conservation and biocultural diversity, and demonstrate a local-to-local peer learning model in Ishikawa and Kanazawa.
2. Lead and execute knowledge sharing and outreach activities within the framework of the overall strategic direction of UNU-IAS;
- Oversee the development and management of collaboration with strategic partners and collaborators such as UNEP, CBD, FAO, UNCCD, and other UN(U) partners, as well as local, national, and international partner organisations and institutions;
- Manage the public outreach projects and disseminate complex information in a manner that ensures the understanding of relevant audiences, using conferences, workshops, seminars, and courses, in the field of BDS and OUIK activities and work;
- Raise visibility of BDS and OUIK research and project activities through enhancing synergy between BDS/OUIK and UNU-IAS Communications and throughout the institute; and
- Oversee the outreach and presentation of research outcomes through publication in peer-reviewed journal articles, books, reports, and policy briefs.
3. Lead the fundraising activities of the Institute through project acquisition and research funding;
- Lead efforts in identifying funding opportunities and developing project proposals for BDS and OUIK projects, ensuring coherent policy and research integration;
- Supervise the fundraising activities of project team members;
- Manage donor relations and resource mobilisation activities for the Institute's research and capacity building programmes, including but not limited to the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOE-J), Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City, and other local stakeholders;
- Implement grant initiatives by ensuring grant requirements are developed, managed and fulfilled, and quality reports are submitted on time; and
- Professionally execute grant and project funds with full compliance to donor agreements.
4. Support the Director of UNU-IAS in institutional development;
- Support the Director with the shaping and implementation of the Institute’s strategic and implementation plans;
- Scrutinise and critique research, proposals, and grant applications;
- Advise the Director and the management team on Institute-wide strategic programming;
- Support the advancement of the Institute’s educational programmes and teaching activities; and
- Actively contribute to an inclusive and diverse international work environment.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Key Performance Indicators
- Timely and quality implementation of the UNU-IAS work programme, including the level of engagement in leadership activities and quality engagement with researchers, support staff, and consultants of the Institute
- Quality and level of engagement with policy stakeholders, partners, related networks, and working groups within and outside the UN System
- Quality and extent of research output, serving academic and policy audiences
- Increased sustainable donor support to UNU-IAS, including excellent donor relationships and diversified funding sources
- Performance and well-being of the personnel in the teams
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
