Current Vacancies
International: Professional & Higher
Director, UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research
(L-7)
UNU-WIDER, Helsinki, Finland
Closing date: 2008.07.31
The Director is the chief academic and administrative officer of the Institute and directs, organises, administers and programmes of the Institute in accordance with the policies established by the advisory board and the UNU Council.
UNU-WIDER_Director_20080731.pdf
(64 KB PDF)
Local Recruitment
Programme Associate
(PSA)
UNU Centre, Financial Assistance Programme, Tokyo, Japan
Closing date: 2008.05.15
Responsibilities: Provide administrative support for the implementation of the Programme. Programme-related activities include: contact and liaison with Cooperating Universities; producing documents/reports necessary for the on-going management of the Programme, both in English and Japanese; and assisting in publicizing Programme activities. Administrative assistance includes making travel arrangements, organizing workshops where university officials gather, and assisting budgeting and accounting related works when needed. Undertake related incidental and general office duties as required.
UNU_FAP_ProgAssoc_20080515.pdf
(60 KB PDF)
Human Resources Asociate/Assistant
(GS-6/GS-5)
UN University Administration, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Closing date: 2008.05.21
Reporting to the Chief, Human Resources and Human Resource Officer, the Human Resource Associate/Human Resource Assistant is a key member of the Human Resource team. This is a newly established position resulting from the partial migration of the United Nations University Administration to Kuala Lumpur. We are looking for an outstanding individual with a proven track record in the whole spectrum of human resource functions, the ability to challenge the status quo and create new ideas, and the potential to bring a significant contribution to the worldwide expansion of United Nations University’s operations.
UNU-Admin_HR_Assist_20080521.pdf
(64 KB PDF)
Accountant
(NOA)
UN University Administration, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Closing date: 2008.05.25
Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, the Accountant is a key member of the finance team and is responsible for the full spectrum of financial accounting services for the United Nations University.
UNU_Admin_Accountant_20080525.pdf
(72 KB PDF)
Treasury Assistant
(GS-5)
UN University Administration, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Closing date: 2008.05.25
Reporting to the Accountant and Treasurer, the main duties and responsibilities of the Treasury Assistant are primarily to: assist with the cash management and investment functions, which includes monitoring of daily cash position, preparation of cash forecast and management of bank accounts; assist with the contributions related activities such as identifying, acknowledging and issuing receipts and reporting contributions from donors; execute financial operations in accordance with United Nations University’s policies, United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules and established operational practices to ensure compliance with internal control requirements.
UNU_Admin_TreasuryAssistant_20080525.pdf
(68 KB PDF)
Finance Associate/Finance Assistant
(PSA)
UN University Administration, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Closing date: 2008.05.25
Reporting to the Accountant/Treasurer, the main duties and responsibilities of the Finance Assistant/Associate include the following: provide a wide spectrum of financial accounting services which includes timely and accurate processing of payments, receivables, investments transactions, month-end accounts closing and reconciliations; assist with the cash management and investments function, which includes monitoring of daily cash position, preparation of cash forecast and management of bank accounts; preparation of financial reports and analysis; execute financial operations in accordance with United Nations University’s policies, United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules and established operational practices and ensures compliance with internal control requirements.
UNU_Admin_FinanceAssociate_20080525.pdf
(68 KB PDF)
Working for UNU — An Introduction
The United Nations University (UNU) was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations to be an international community of scholars engaged in research, capacity building and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
The UNU is not a traditional university in the sense of having a faculty, campus or students, nor does it award degrees. Accordingly, there is only a restricted number of full-time personnel at the University Headquarters in Tokyo and at its Institutes in various parts of the world; as the University carries out its work in co-operation with other research institutions, international organisations and individual scholars and scientists throughout the world.
Appointments are limited to service with the UNU and staff cannot expect any transferability to other positions within the UN Secretariat or any other UN agency. UNU staff members are either locally recruited or internationally recruited. All General Service staff are locally recruited at the duty station and recruitment advertisements are placed in the local press. Most Professional Staff are internationally recruited and advertisements are normally placed in specialised, international journals focused on the particular academic discipline we are targeting. Furthermore, we always issue a Vacancy Announcement for all internationally recruited positions which will be posted to this web site.
Prospective employees particularly keen to work for UNU may wish to monitor our Vacancy Announcements on this website, where any UNU positions, limited in number though they may be, are always advertised. It should be noted, however, that the University will not consider applications for other than advertised vacancies.
General Information
Languages
The working language of UNU is English. Consequently, fluency in written and spoken English is essential, and it is advantageous to be proficient in one or more of the other languages commonly used in UNU especially French, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Finnish, Dutch, Russian and Spanish.
Salary and benefits
The organization offers attractive remuneration packages and benefits to attract staff of the highest quality. Starting salaries are based upon academic and professional qualifications, as well as the level of the post. The base salary scales are set by the UN General Assembly.
Salaries and benefits are usually paid in the currency of the duty station and are, in principle, exempt from local and national, income taxes, although UN "staff assessment" (a UN income tax) is deducted from gross salaries. Depending upon the duty station, dependency allowances, in the form of higher net salaries for a dependant spouse or allowances for dependant children may be provided. Other benefits include: paid annual leave at the rate of 30 days per year; 10 "UNU official holidays" in lieu of national holidays; generous sick leave entitlements; a contributory health insurance scheme; and group life assurance coverage.
All staff members are required to contribute to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The monthly contribution is tied to a scale determined by the United Nations General Assembly and a contribution to the staff member's account is also made by UNU. Besides retirement pensions, the UNJSPF provides disability pensions and, in the event of the death of the participant, survivors' benefits. The mandatory retirement age is 62. Staff members separating from UNU before reaching that age are entitled to either a lump-sum withdrawal settlement instead of a pension, or (if they have at least five years of contributory service) a deferred retirement benefit, or (if, in addition, they are over 55 years of age) an early retirement pension at a reduced rate. Pensions are subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments.
Professional staff members of UNU may be required to serve at various duty stations during the course of their contract. Such staff receive a post adjustment component on top of their base salary, based on the cost of living at the duty station and the rate of exchange of the local currency vis-à-vis the United States dollar. Staff serving away from their home countries receive an assignment allowance and an education grant and dependency allowance are paid for each eligible child. International staff members may also be eligible for a rental subsidy and various shipping, travel and installation allowances related to appointment to and transfers between duty stations. If an internationally recruited staff member's contract is extended beyond the initial two years, UNU will meet the "home leave" travel costs of the staff member travelling (with spouse and dependant children) to his or her recognized country of origin.
Relocation expenses
In the case of new staff members who have been internationally recruited, UNU usually meets the costs of travel from the place of recruitment to the duty station for the staff member and their eligible dependants. It also usually meets the costs of shipping and insuring household effects. Assistance with visa formalities may be provided, and UNU can arrange initial hotel accommodation.
Similarly, a repatriation grant is payable to internationally recruited staff upon separation and relocation back to their home country. The amount of the grant is linked to the staff member's dependency status and the length of service with the United Nations.
How To Apply
Remember, we only accept applications for advertised vacancies. We do not maintain a roster, nor do we hold applicant details on file, pending a suitable vacancy. If you have previously applied for a vacancy at UNU, this does not mean we still have your details on file - if you see a new position for which you believe you are qualified, send us another application.
Before making an application to the UNU, have you read the qualifications and requirements for the advertised position in which you are interested? All applicants must meet or exceed the minimum selection criteria for the advertised position.
You should also be aware of the following general requirements:
Academic qualifications and experience
Most Professional academic positions within the University require a relevant doctorate (PhD or equivalent) with several years post-qualifying experience, as a minimum. Most administrative positions at the Professional level require a minimum of a post-graduate degree (Masters or equivalent) plus post-qualifying experience. Most General Service positions require a minimum of a first degree (undergraduate university degree) together with several years relevant experience.
The required minimum period of experience depends on the grade of the post stated in the vacancy announcement. There are five grades in the Professional category (P-1 at the junior level to P-5 at the senior level) and two in the policy-making category (D-1 and D-2). Candidates for Professional positions at grades P-3 to P-5 are typically required to have 6-15 years of relevant work experience. Positions at D-1 and D-2 are expected to be able to demonstrate more extensive experience, at higher organisational levels. General Service staff must have several years successful experience in a relevant area and have excellent business computing skills and sound administrative abilities.
Computer skills
Sound, hands on, knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc) and good quantitative skills are required of all staff.
Personal qualities
Good interpersonal skills are essential, as are diplomacy, tact, and the ability to work well in a team. People wishing to work in a multinational environment need to be tolerant and able to cope with cultural differences and different approaches to problem-solving and decision-making. Besides having well balanced personalities and good communications skills, they should enjoy cultural diversity. Prior experience in a cross-cultural work environment is an asset.
Management skills
Management skills are required of candidates applying for supervisory positions. In particular, the ability to plan and prioritise work is a key competency. Thus you should be able to demonstrate that you are able to set clear goals; monitor performance; effectively manage projects and assignments; motivate individuals and teams; delegate freely and promote teamwork; develop the skills and expertise of your team; provide guidance, feedback and objective appraisal of people's performance; promote a free flow of information; and resolve conflicts.
Staff within UNU may be called upon to work well beyond the established office hours, to meet very short deadlines and to travel extensively - sometimes to countries with difficult living conditions. They may have to cope with poor technology and other constraints in the field. Nevertheless, they must remain committed and do their job efficiently and effectively, often with limited resources.
Professional staff members of the UNU should also be able to demonstrate an ability to analyse problems thoroughly and systematically. Furthermore, they should be articulate, tactful, diplomatic and flexible and should possess sound judgement, integrity and a drive for results.
Medical Clearance
Offers of appointment are contingent upon the candidate passing a pre-employment medical examination.
Submitting your application
If you consider you are qualified, please send us a curriculum vitae (CV) or a completed UNU Personal History form. When submitting your application make sure you clearly indicate the position reference number in your covering letter and on the envelope containing your application.
If you send a CV, it should be typed and must contain:
- your full name, address and telephone number (also e-mail address and fax number if available);
- date of birth;
- present citizenship;
- academic and professional qualifications;
- work experience;
- publications; and
- languages other than English, indicating level of proficiency.
If you send a UNU Personal History form:
- follow the instructions carefully; and
- answer all questions completely
Further tips on what to include in a covering letter and CV can be found at the OHRM web-site of the United Nations.
A copy of the UNU Personal History Form is available here:
UNU_PersonalHistoryForm_02.doc
(304 KB Word)
Send your application by post or fax or e-mail (but only use e-mail where an e-mail address is clearly indicated in the Vacancy Announcement). Please do not send multiple applications.
Due to the high volume of employment-related correspondence we receive daily, UNU is unfortunately not in a position to acknowledge receipt of your application nor respond to queries regarding information already provided in the Vacancy Announcement or on this web site. At the initial recruitment stage, we therefore cannot answer your specific questions or general enquiries: we will only contact you if you have been short-listed for interview.
Employment Conditions
Selection Policies
Staff members are selected solely on merit. While recruiting only the most able and technically competent candidates, we strive for balance in gender and nationality representation. We do not set country or gender quotas, but we do try to ensure that the diversity of UN member states is reflected in the composition of our staff. In this way, we can more effectively understand and meet the different needs of member states and also encourage a greater cross-fertilization of ideas within the organization. Where competing candidates exhibit equal merit, preference is given to candidates from developing countries or regions and every effort is made to achieve a balanced gender distribution within the organisation.
The UNU strongly supports the principle of "equal rights of men and women" enshrined in the first sentence of the United Nations Charter. Measures have been taken to allow for a climate conducive to the equal participation of men and women at the workplace. These include a flexible working hours scheme, "family leave", the possibility of extended maternity leave and a policy giving preference to well-qualified female applicants in cases of comparable qualifications and suitability.
Duration of tour of service
UNU does not offer permanent appointments. In order to keep the collective knowledge of our staff current and at the highest levels, especially in scientific and academic fields, and to ensure the regular injection of new ideas from outside, the UNU generally appoints all staff on a two-year, fixed-term, contract basis. In many cases, an appointment to a further two-year contract is made, if performance meets the required standards and if there is a continuing need for the services of the staff member.
Other Employment Related Links
- Employment Opportunities within the UN and other International Organizations
- United Nations Volunteers
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Page last modified 2008.05.07.
