CALL FOR APPLICATION: Rector (Under-Secretary-General) Tokyo, Japan

Rector (Under-Secretary-General)

Tokyo, Japan

The United Nations University (UNU) is recruiting a new Rector.

About the Organization:

UNU is the academic arm of the United Nations and for the last four decades has been a go-to think tank for evidence-based research on the pressing global problems of human survival, development, and welfare. Fully funded through voluntary-contributions, UNU counts over 400 researchers in 12 countries, and its work spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU maintains numerous collaborations with UN agencies, leading universities, and research centers. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

The Position:

The Rector is the chief academic and administrative officer of the University and has overall responsibility for the direction, organization, administration, and programmes of the University. The Rector is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations after consultation with the Director-General of UNESCO. The position carries the rank of United Nations Under-Secretary-General and requires extensive overseas travel.

Required qualifications:

Advanced university degree, with strong preference for a Ph.D. The successful candidate must have a prominent academic profile with evidence of high-quality research work in the course of his/her career. In addition, he/she will demonstrate an understanding of contemporary development and policymaking challenges and will have experience translating research for policy communities. Demonstrated management experience as the head of a university or research center is required. Fluency in English is essential.

Desirable qualifications and characteristics:

Established profile in the international community. Experience in managing donor relations and raising funds for organizations. Knowledge, appreciation of, and commitment to the principles and ideals of the United Nations. Capability to maintain close cooperation with individuals, governments, and research institutions worldwide to promote scientific cooperation. Great drive and initiative to achieve the goals of UNU. Demonstrated commitment to gender and diversity issues. Fluency in other official United Nations languages is desirable.

Start Date:

It is expected that the appointee will take up the position by 1 March 2023.

Duration of Contract:

The initial appointment will be for a five-year term, with the possibility of a second term. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. UNU is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. The University has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Remuneration:

UNU offers an attractive package at the Under-Secretary-General level within the UN system, including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in Tokyo. Benefits include 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance, and applicable additional benefits and entitlements.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should email their applications in English to the UNU Rectorship Nominating Committee at rectorship@unu.edu no later than 15 July 2021, with a copy to Ms. Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, Director of the Division for Education 2030, in UNESCO’s Education Sector (e mail: e30@unesco.org).

The application must contain the following supporting documents:

• a cover letter describing how the candidate’s qualifications and experience match the requirements,
• a curriculum vitae,
• a list of publications, and
• a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form, which can be downloaded at

https://unu.edu/about/unu-services/hr/applying-for-a-position#files; please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations.