The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institution within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems.
UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme seeks to build knowledge and awareness on the international security implications and risks of specific technological innovations and convenes stakeholders to explore ideas and develop new thinking on ways to address them. UNIDIR’s newly established Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security aims to strengthen responsible AI in peace and security by:
- Consolidating knowledge and expertise
- Enabling structured dialogue among key stakeholders
- Supporting translation of principles into practice
The programme is seeking a Research Assistant to support the centre’s research, programme implementation and day-to-day coordination activities.
Responsibilities
Within UNIDIR’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security, under the supervision of the Programme Officer, the Research Assistant (Artificial Intelligence) will:
- Assist in conducting research and analysis:
- Assist in conducting research for the centre’s related events, publications, and tools;
- Assist in the development, management and maintenance of the centre’s tools and databases;
- Support the Head of Programmes and relevant researchers with research design and methodologies to facilitate the implementation of the programmes research and advice, support and capacity-building priorities in particular relating to AI peace and security;
- Assist in the review and editing of substantive materials produced by the centre.
- Assist in management and implementation of the centre’s activities:
- Support the coordination and implementation of the centre’s activities with the Head of Programme, relevant researchers, and institutional staff;
- Provide administrative support to the programmes as required, including liaison between UNIDIR’s Finance, Budget and Administration (FBA) unit, Security and Technology Programme assistants and researchers on the procurement of goods and services, as well as liaison with external consultants and vendors;
- Organize meetings, seminars, and workshops for the programmes, covering the full lifecycle of activities (including, but not limited to, drafting invitations, distribution lists, agenda, logistical notes, provision of travel support, as well as substantive preparations for, and facilitation during, events);
- Produce and disseminate meeting summaries, reports, briefs and analysis papers from consultations, meetings and events held or attended by the programmes;
- Assist in monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, including preparation and production of publications, donor reports and other official documents.
- Undertake day-to-day planning and organization of the centre, including (but not limited to):
- Support the preparation of meetings, events, and workshops of relevance to the centre;
- Ensure sustained communication with partners from States, regional organizations, the United Nations and expert NGOs related to the programmes;
- Support the Head of Programmes in outreach activities with relevant stakeholders to promote the programmes’ work;
- Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities across the programmes.
- Help coordinate programmatic areas of responsibilities with researchers and graduate professionals, in coordination with the Head of Programmes, and UNIDIR’s Communication and FBA units;
- Organize and maintain documentation and records of the programmes.
- Perform other duties as required.
Schedule for the proposed work
A workplan for the duration of the contract will be established within the first two weeks of the contract. The Research Assistant will have regular communication with the supervisor in order to set assignments within the workplan and monitor progress. S/he will inform the supervisor if there are any issues concerning meeting agreed deliverables and deadlines.
Competencies
The Research Assistant is to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity. In addition, s/he will demonstrate the following competences:
- Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Qualifications and experience
Education
Advanced university (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international affairs, political science, international law; OR Advanced university (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or technical field, with demonstrated track record of work at the intersection of policy and technology is required.
Experience
- Experience in project administration and planning, including organizing events and conferences, drafting programme documents, and report writing, is required;
- Computer competency, including but not limited to Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), is required;
- Experience in assisting research activities, including drafting, editing and layout is desirable;
- Knowledge of gender issues or experience with gender mainstreaming in a field relevant to the position is desirable;
- Knowledge of current international debates and recent developments in AI, Peace and Security is required;
- Experience in multilateral processes regarding emerging technologies, peace and security, and experience working at an international or regional organization is desirable;
- Existing relationships/Familiarity with relevant stakeholders, including regional organisations, UN agencies and programmes working in the field of artificial intelligence is desirable.
Language
For this assignment, fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Travel
The Research Assistant is required to travel during the course of this assignment. Dates and locations will be determined during implementation of the programme. The Research Assistant must complete the UN course BSAFE (online) and provide UNIDIR with a certificate of completion.
Copyright
UNIDIR retains copyright of all documents and the ownership of the intellectual property resulting from all work carried out under this contract. The Research Assistant warrants that any written work will be original works or that where s/he incorporates copyright material from another source, copyright permission for its use will be obtained. Written output(s) may be attributed to the Research Assistant.
How to apply
The applicant should submit:
- A cover letter
- PDF version of the UN Personal History Profile (PHP) created via Inspira
- Name and contact details of three references.
Applications should be sent as email attachments, with the subject line “Application: Research Assistant – Artificial Intelligence” to unidir.recruitment@un.org. No applications will be accepted by post. Deadline for submission of applications is 5 July 2026. Closing date is midnight Geneva time.
Send to
unidir.recruitment@un.org
Subject line
Application: Research Assistant – Artificial Intelligence
Please note Incomplete applications and applications generated with Artificial Intelligence will not be processed. Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you move forward in the process, you may be contacted for further assessment. UNIDIR is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
