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 http://unu.edu
About UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
UNU-IAS is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IAS is a UNU institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions. Through its postgraduate education programmes including master's and doctoral degree programmes, UNU-IAS develops future international leaders with interdisciplinary understanding and skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability. UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, undertaken in collaboration with a global network of professionals and scholars, particularly in Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit http://ias.unu.edu
Biodiversity and Society (BDS) is an academic programme of UNU-IAS, which implements activities to promote Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) by enhancing academic excellence. Based on the research outputs, the programme contributes to the achievement of biodiversity-related global goals such as Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It also facilitates capacity development and peer learning based on accumulated experience and knowledge on SEPLS, such as developing Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR) book series, promoting other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and assisting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to promote landscape approaches through the process of revision and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to contribute to the GBF and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides operational support for the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) as its secretariat, in a fair participatory manner and through a multi-stakeholder engagement process.
The UNU-IAS Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (OUIK) was established in April 2008 with strong support by local governments of Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City in Japan. OUIK has provided local and regional input into UNU's sustainable development and international cooperation efforts in collaboration with other organizations, including UN agencies, academic institutes and local partners by implementing research on sustainable utilization of biodiversity and ecosystem services. OUIK also aims at developing communication and networks with local stakeholders through public outreach and capacity building while sharing information about international trends.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the UNU-IAS Director, the Programme Head will lead, manage, and supervise the Biodiversity and Society (BDS) Programme, and UNU-IAS Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (UNU-IAS OUIK) in line with the UNU-IAS Strategic Plan. Specific responsibilities will include the following:
1. Establish, develop, and lead academic programme and associated projects of the BDS and OUIK projects, focusing on the delivery of policy-relevant research;
* Contribute to the biodiversity-related international discussion and frameworks such as Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration;
* Lead activities of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) as the IPSI director, based on the IPSI Plan of Action 2023-2030 and the Actionable Implementation Plan;
* Promote research activities on SEPLS sustainable management, including the Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR);
* Enhance policy advice by building a model for localization of the SDGs and develop a platform to promote multi-stakeholder partnerships within the Hokuriku region, as well as among international networks; and
* Promote field-based research for biodiversity conservation and biocultural diversity, and demonstrate a local-to-local peer learning model in Ishikawa and Kanazawa.
2. Lead and execute knowledge sharing and outreach activities within the framework of the overall strategic direction of UNU-IAS;
* Oversee the development and management of collaboration with strategic partners and collaborators such as UNEP, CBD, FAO, UNCCD, and other UN(U) partners, as well as local, national, and international partner organisations and institutions;
* Manage the public outreach projects and disseminate complex information in a manner that ensures the understanding of relevant audiences, using conferences, workshops, seminars, and courses, in the field of BDS and OUIK activities and work;
* Raise visibility of BDS and OUIK research and project activities through enhancing synergy between BDS/OUIK and UNU-IAS Communications and throughout the institute; and
* Oversee the outreach and presentation of research outcomes through publication in peer-reviewed journal articles, books, reports, and policy briefs.
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://careers.unu.edu/o/ias-head-of-programme-psa-p5-equivalent