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
United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
UNU-INWEH, headquartered in Richmond Hill (Greater Toronto Area), Canada, is one of 13 research and training institutions that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-INWEH’s vision is a world free of water, environmental and health problems where sustainable development, environmental health, and human security are assured for all. Its mission is to help resolve pressing water, environmental, and health challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their people. UNU-INWEH pursues its mission through critical analysis and synthesis of existing bodies of scientific discovery; targeted research that identifies emerging policy issues; application of on-the-ground scalable science-based solutions to grand water, environmental and health challenges; and global outreach.
Responsibilities
Contingent upon the level of appointment, the incumbent is expected to:
1. Academic Programme and Partnerships Coordination
Coordinate the overall implementation and day-to-day management of the Academic Partnerships and joint capacity building programmes.
Support the development and execution of strategic plans, annual work plans, programme activities and relevant events and symposiums.
Coordinate educational offerings, including webinars, online courses, workshops, training programmes, and learning events.
Oversee participant recruitment, registration, engagement, and follow-up and tracking to ensure a high-quality learning experience and reporting.
Organize and coordinate advisory board meetings relevant to specific initiatives and stakeholder consultations.
2. Academic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
Build and maintain partnerships with universities, research institutions, international organizations, private sector partners, and donors.
Coordinate collaboration among participating institutions and partners to advance joint objectives.
Manage relationships with experts, lecturers, mentors, and partner organizations contributing to capacity building activities.
Facilitate internships, research placements, fellowships, and other relevant learning opportunities for students and early-career professionals.
Represent the UNU-INWEH at academic conferences, workshops, and external meetings, as appropriate.
3. Knowledge, Learning, and Capacity Development
Coordinate the development and dissemination of educational content, learning resources, and knowledge products.
Support the design and implementation of mentorship, career development, and professional skills-building initiatives.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange among students, researchers, practitioners, and experts.
Identify emerging trends, innovations, and opportunities to strengthen the academic educational and research portfolio.
Promote diversity, inclusion, and equitable participation across all capacity building activities and academic engagements.
4. Communications, Resource Mobilization, and Reporting
Coordinate communications and outreach activities, including digital engagement, newsletters, social media, and promotional campaigns.
Monitor programme performance and impact, including the collection and analysis of participation and outcome data.
Prepare reports, presentations, briefing notes, and other materials for partners, donors, and stakeholders.
Support fundraising and resource mobilization efforts through the preparation of concept notes, proposals, sponsorship packages, and donor reports.
Contribute to the visibility, sustainability, and long-term growth of the academic partnerships through strategic engagements.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
Key performance indicators
Timely and quality implementation of the UNU-INWEH work programme
Quality and level of engagement with policy stakeholders within and outside the UN System
Quality and extent of research output, serving academic and policy audiences
Quality and level of engagement in leadership activities of the institute
Quality and level of engagement with partners, related networks and working groups
Quality and level of engagement with other researchers, teams, consultants, and partners
Increased sustainable donor support to UNU-INWEH including excellent donor relationships and diversified funding sources
Performance and well-being of the personnel in the Research Unit and the institute
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 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
Professional level Fluency in English is required.
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Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
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.
Remuneration
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.
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 P11 form); and
answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.
You may wish to refer to the for more information.
Application Deadline
18 June 2026
Submissions must be received by 11:59PM (EST) 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
UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.