What are we looking for
We are looking for two colleagues who are curious, reliable, and motivated to grow.
You should enjoy variety in your work, be comfortable moving between research and operational tasks, and be ready to support everything from drafting and analysis to coordination and event delivery.
This role will suit candidates who are not looking for a narrow, repetitive position, but rather for a place where they can build experience quickly, contribute to real-world projects, and demonstrate their potential.
Candidates who prove strong skills, sound judgment, and a positive attitude will find room to take on broader and more substantive responsibilities.
Description for the position
UNU-EGOV is seeking to recruit two Junior Research Consultants to support a dynamic portfolio of work at the intersection of digital transformation and public sector innovation and performance.
These are exciting entry-level opportunities for motivated early-career professionals who want to contribute to meaningful work with governments and public institutions while developing strong applied skills in advisory, policy, and research environments. The roles are ideal for candidates with a relevant master’s degree, and for those who may also bring a PhD and/or 1 - 2 years of relevant professional experience.
The successful candidates will contribute to a varied and fast-moving body of work spanning consultancy and advisory assignments, applied research, project delivery, events, communications, and analytical outputs, with a stronger emphasis on consultancy and advisory support.
This is a role for people who enjoy a busy day, can work flexibly across different tasks and teams, and are eager to learn by doing it in a casual, international, and multi-cultural work environment. Strong performers will have opportunities to grow their responsibilities over time and contribute to increasingly substantive projects, advisory, and research tasks.
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
About UNU-EGOV
The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), based in the city of Guimarães, north of Portugal, is one of 13 research and training Institutes and Units that comprise the UNU system. The mission of UNU-EGOV is to support the Member States of the United Nations in transforming governance mechanisms and building effective governance capabilities through strategic applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to contribute to sustainable development, social inclusion, and active citizenship. As a think tank and research unit, UNU-GOV combines both classical research and consultancy projects.
In fulfilment of its purpose, UNU-EGOV:
• carries out policy-relevant research;
• translates research findings into relevant policy instruments;
• builds capacity in localizing and applying such instruments within and among governments clients and partners within the UN system, academic and other relevant organizations;
• builds and maintains research and policy networks to share the lessons learnt, foster mutual learning, and bridge research and policy worlds; and
• monitors, evaluates and disseminates the latest developments in the area.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the coordinator of the relevant thematic area, the Junior Research Consultant is responsible for the following:
· Support consultancy, advisory, and project activities related to digital transformation, digital governance, and public sector reform.
· Conduct desk research, literature reviews, and evidence gathering.
· Collect, organise, and analyse information from a range of sources.
· Support interviews, stakeholder engagement, and case study development.
· Assist with the drafting of project proposals, reports, presentations, policy-oriented outputs, and other client-facing deliverables.
· Contribute to drafting, editing, proofreading, and quality assurance of written outputs in English.
· Support project monitoring, communications, and relationship management with partners and stakeholders.
· Help organise conferences, seminars, workshops, expert meetings, focus groups, and capacity-building activities, including agendas, programmes, reporting, and logistics.
· Assist with the preparation of good practice cases, policy papers, and other analytical outputs.
· Support data entry, document quality control, and the maintenance of databases and relevant information sources.
· Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Key performance indicators
Timely and quality development and implementation of the assigned responsibilities.
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Quality and level of engagement with UNU-EGOV partners (research partners, governments, donors, and civil society).
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
1) Education and certification
A master’s degree in public policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Governance, Digital Governance, Development Studies, Law, Economics, Information Systems, ICT, or another relevant field.
2) Required skills and experience
Demonstrated background, academic focus, or professional interest in the digital transformation of the public sector, including local, regional, national, and international levels of government.
Excellent English skills - reading, writing, and speaking - are essential.
Strong analytical, organisational, and drafting skills.
Ability to work across multiple tasks and deadlines in a flexible and proactive manner.
Willingness to contribute to both consultancy/advisory and research work, with a clear interest in the former.
Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality outputs.
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Comfort working in a casual, busy, and multi-cultural environment.
Desirable
A PhD and/or 1 - 2 years of relevant professional experience would be considered an advantage.
Exposure to government, international organisations, public policy, digital government, digital public infrastructure, public sector innovation, or related fields.
Experience supporting reports, research projects, policy analysis, events, workshops, or stakeholder engagement processes.
Interest in growing into more advanced advisory, analytical, and project support functions over time.
3) Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required.
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Working knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish, French, or Arabic is an asset, but not a requirement.
Duration
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.
Any payable taxes, medical and life insurance related to services resulting from sickness and accident during the stay at UNU-EGOV will be the applicant’s own responsibility.
Remuneration
Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, ranging from EUR 13,200 to EUR 18,000 per year (before tax), depending on qualifications.
This is a Consultant Contract (CTC) position for a period of one year (renewable).
The successful candidate will work full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with working hours aligned with the GMT time zone unless otherwise agreed.
Regarding the work arrangement, the consultant should work in person at the duty station in Guimarães, Portugal, for at least 3 days per week.
This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave or sick leave.
Travel considerations
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 ).
Expected start date
Immediate.
How to Apply
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
Apply via the apply link;
fill out the (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
Provide a motivation statement (in the UNU P11 Form);
Provide contact details for the references and
answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the for more information.
Application Deadline
28 May 2026
Submissions must be received by [11:59, WEST] on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
Special notice
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.
Information about UNU rosters
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.
Scam warning
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