1) Education and certification
A PhD in the field of Food Systems, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Sciences or Engineering, Agricultural Sciences or Engineering, Geography, Geospatial Sciences, or a scientific field related to the Institute’s activity areas.
2) Skills and experience
Required:
At least 5 (five) years of progressively responsible work experience in the above fields.
Experience with partnerships with academic institutes and universities globally.
Demonstrated experience resource mobilization and research grants.
Proven experience in academic writing and policy-oriented reports.
Experience with development of capacity building material and online learning systems.
Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Excellent writing/editing and verbal communications skills as well as demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to interact with colleagues and experts of diverse backgrounds.
Desirable:
Prior work experience in the UN system or intergovernmental entities is desirable.
Proven record of successful work at the science-policy interface and engagement with academia.
Prior work experience in academia, capacity building, and mentoring students is desirable.
Prior record of fundraising for research and/or capacity building is desirable.
3) Language Requirements
The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.
UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of CTC holders.
Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and based on a daily rate to be submitted as part of the application procedure.
This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.
Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.
Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).
Immediate.
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
Apply via the apply link;
fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
18 June 2026
Submissions must be received by 11:59PM (EST) on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position. Consultants do not hold international civil servant status, nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.
UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.
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