Project Administrator , United Nations University (UNU)

Project Administrator POSITION:Personnel Service Agreement REFERENCE NO.:2016/UNU/IAS/PSA/PA/49 LOCATION:Tokyo, Japan TIMEZONE:UTC +9 CLOSING DATE:2016•06•30 Organizational Unit: UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) United Nations University objectives The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training, and the dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. The University functions as a think tank for the United Nations system, contributes to capacity building, particularly in developing countries, and serves as a platform for new and innovative ideas and dialogue. UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) UNU-IAS is a new UNU institute, created in January 2014 by consolidating the former UNU Institute of Advanced Studies and UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP). It is 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. 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. Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (ESDA) ESDA started as a project of the UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace, in October 2008, to develop and test, with the participation of eight leading African universities, a graduate-level education programme for professionals to be engaged in sustainable development in Africa. The project benefited from the support of Japanese and European universities as well as international organisations active in this area, including UNESCO, UNEP, UN-HABITAT, and the African Development Bank. After four-and-a-half years of developmental work, ESDA generated problem-solving fieldwork-oriented Masters programmes in three areas – sustainable integrated rural development, sustainable urban development”, and mineral and mining resources. In the fall of 2013, the African partner universities started implementing these programmes on the basis of MOUs concluded with UNU. Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNU-IAS, and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of ESDA, the Project Administrator shall perform the following tasks: • Assist Project Manager and team members with the administrative aspects of the ESDA project, including: • administration of research, service, and other contracts • logistical support for holding of meetings and mission travel by team members • editorial support for technical aspects of report preparation and publication • maintenance of supporting documents and filing system for UNU-IAS projects • Assist Project Manager and team members with project communication and information dissemination, including: • issuing of ESDA monthly newsletters • keeping the ESDA website updated • preparation and dissemination of ESDA video to be produced • Provide administrative and other guidance to project interns, students, and others who show interest in ESDA • Provide administrative support for external grants, and prepare accounting and financial reports and other relevant documents as required • Ensure full compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations, UNU procedures, and the policies of UNU-IAS • Perform any other duties as may be assigned Required qualifications and experience • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or equivalent field of study, with at least 3 years of work experience in office administration, preferably in an international environment • Knowledge and experience of coordination and organisation of conferences, and logistical and financial arrangements. Knowledge of the UN governance structure is an asset • Willingness to travel overseas (especially to Africa) for official missions • Excellent written and spoken English- and Japanese-language communications skill is essential • Proficiency in MS Office Applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). • Ability to establish priorities, work within tight deadlines, and handle multiple concurrent activities • Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity Remuneration: Remuneration will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Duration of contract: This is full-time employment on a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) with UNU-IAS. Initial appointment will be for one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of appointments shall not exceed six (6) years. This is a locally recruited post. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position. Starting date: July 2016 (negotiable) Interested applicants should submit their applications by email (to iaspsa2016@unu.edu), and must include the following: • a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position • a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form; please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations • an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2016/UNU/IAS/PSA/PA/49) Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered.