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

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

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Administrative and Finance Officer, the Administrative and HR Associate ensures the execution of transparent and efficient HR, finance, and administrative services at UNU-INWEH. The Administrative and HR Associate functions as the HR focal point of the institute, working in close collaboration with UNU Centre Human Resources, UNU’s HR Focal Points, and UNDP/GSSU in Copenhagen for resolving complex HR-related issues and information exchange.

Contingent upon the level of appointment, as a member of the administrative and finance team of UNU-INWEH, the incumbent is expected to:

  1. Human Resources

    • Provides HR administrative services and support in the field of recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and entitlements in accordance with UNU Personnel Policy, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNU HR policies and procedures

    • Support end to end recruitment and selection processes, including job description preparation, initiation of vacancy announcements, screening of applications, coordination of interview schedules, correspondence with candidates, onboarding processes, contract issuance and extensions

    • Monitors integrity of the processes and understands the connection between HR and financial management

    • Prepares and maintains personnel files, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy

    • Contributes to positive candidate experience through timely and appropriate communications

    • Serves as HR leave monitor, trains personnel on absence management module, assists personnel who have questions on leave, and provides attendance-related reports

    • Monitors completion of mandatory courses

    • Maintains assigned information and knowledge products on SharePoint

    • Provides support in managing the insurance enrolment request for non-PSA and records management.

  2. Finance and Procurement Support

    • Assists the Supplier Management process, including coordination with vendors and internal stakeholders, ensuring required documentation is complete, accurate and processed in accordance with UN and UNU procurement procedures

    • Assists with supplier registration, including verification of supporting documents, updates to supplier records and follow-up on pending or modification requests

    • Assists with accounting and procurement activities in Quantum, including accounts payable and receivable, billing, requisition and purchase order creation, processing of receipts and payments, and support for month/ year end closures

    • Assists with processing travel requests and claims in UNALL and QUANTUM systems

  3. General Administration Support

    • Ensures the accuracy and completeness of supporting documents and maintains electronic records

    • Performs other administrative duties related to the Office of the Director, Finance, HR, office administration, and calendar management, as needed and assigned by the Director and the supervisor

    • Supports visa application processes for the staff, visitors, and guests.

  4. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

  • Quality and level of engagement with the Administration and Finance team as well as other staff members of the institute

  • Timely and accurate advice on UNU policies and processes

  • High quality client service

  • Timely, complete, efficient, and accurate human resources, financial, and administrative transactions/activities/documentation

  • Accuracy and attention to details

  • Ability and willingness to learn and adapt

  • Up to date databases and online records

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

  • Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or other areas of social sciences and fields related to the position responsibilities or/and the institute’s area of work

2) Required skills and experience

  • 3 years of post-Bachelor's degree experience or 5 years of post-high school experience in support function of human resources, finance, and/or administration is required.

  • Ability to cover all areas of human resources from recruitment and onboarding to performance management, training, and career development through to leave monitoring and separation.

  • Knowledge of HR policies and their application in the employment life cycle.

  • Experience in processing payments and financial processes.

  • Experience in processing travel requests and travel cost reimbursements would be desirable.

  • Experience in procurement and vendor registration and management would be desirable.

  • Ability to deliver solutions-oriented client service that meets the needs of the clients.

  • Attention to detail, process oriented and mastery of current office software.

  • Organizational skills and ability to take initiative, prioritize and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

  • Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

  • Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, preferably QUANTUM (UNU's ERP system), would be an asset

  • UN working experience is desirable.

  • Excellent team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

3) Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken).

  • Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.


Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

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 PSA holders.


Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.


Starting 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

31 July 2026

Submissions must be received by midnight EST (Toronto time zone) on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.


Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.


Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. 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 and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.


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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.