Policy and Communications Officer (NOA)

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS

UNU Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

The specific mission of UNU-CRIS is to foster a better understanding of the processes of regional integration and cooperation and their implications in a changing world order. UNU-CRIS specializes in the comparative study of regional integration, multi-level governance and cross-border policy issues.

For more information, in particular on the details of the research themes, please visit https://cris.unu.edu/

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, the Policy and Communications Officer works closely with the Director to execute the UNU-CRIS strategic plan and vision, build its network, and assist in the day-to-day management of the institute and in the implementation of key institutional priorities. The officer interprets and applies UN/UNU policies, procedures and guidelines, establishes internal procedures, and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex policy issues; leads the Institute’s internal and external communications and acts as the communications focal point with UNU Headquarters; designs and produces visual assets to assist in the dissemination of the Institute’s research output; and manages all ICT procedures and processes ensuring compliance with and in service of the UNU ICT strategic plan.

1. Policy and Research

• Assist the Director with the day-to-day management of the institute and the overall implementation of key institutional priorities;
• Work with the Director on the institute’s strategic planning and self-evaluation exercises;
• Lead qualitative and quantitative reporting to stakeholders and donors;
• Assist the Director in the partnership building of the institute, including in identifying opportunities for and developing UNU-CRIS Research Hubs;
• Act as the UNU-CRIS Focal Point for UNU Project Management; and
• Manage the research output process, including reviewing and editing of (e.g.) policy briefs, working papers, research reports and blogs

2. Manage the Institute’s capacity building programmes

• Coordinate the School of Modern Diplomacy, including devising the programme, managing/liaising with speakers, evaluating applications, participant engagement, developing materials (e.g. handbook/programme guide), leading modules, managing the feedback procedure and managing the alumni network;
• Participate in the organizing committees of the Institute’s two Doctoral Schools;
• Oversee the internship programme, working with supervisors to develop specific calls as necessary, promoting the internship programme, assisting supervisors in the evaluation of candidates where necessary.

3. Lead strategic communications and knowledge mobilization efforts at UNU-CRIS to support the achievement of the Institutes’ strategic plan

• Increase UNU-CRIS’ research uptake – and resulting policy impact – through innovative, targeted and tailored communications campaigns;
• Help maintain the Institute’s position as a leading think-tank and academic institute by curating and producing articles, blogs, newsletters, etc. for the UNU-CRIS website and external audiences;
• Coordinate, write and design the annual report;
• Advise and support in the development of effective events that support the achievement of the institute’s strategic goals in co-operation with relevant internal and external researchers and policymakers;
• Maintain the Institute’s social media channels to help promote the Institute;
• Design and produce visual material to assist in communication efforts; and
• Act as the UNU-CRIS focal point for UNU Communications Network, and actively participate in UNU working groups

4. Manage the Institute’s ICT processes and systems

• Act as the UNU-CRIS focal point in the UNU ICT Network, including representing UNU-CRIS in the quarterly ICT meetings and at the annual ICT retreat, developing the institute’s ICT workplan, reporting to the UNU Head of ICT, and ensuring compliance with UNU ICT standards and procedures;
• Manage the ICT systems and processes, such as overseeing the use of the Office365 suite (e.g. managing SharePoint) and other tools (e.g. Zoom, SmarterQueue) across the Institute;
• Provide technical support for the Institute’s events;
• Provide on-site and virtual ICT troubleshooting; and
• Manage hardware purchases/upgrades with the Financial and Administrative Officer and Administrative Assistant

5. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality delivery of high impact events locally and internationally
• Contribution to improving visibility and reputation of UNU-CRIS among target audiences and key stakeholders, including research partners, UN entities, governments, donors, and civil society;
• Timely reporting to stakeholders (donors, UN system, UNU, UNU-CRIS Advisory Committee);
• Timely and quality delivery of communications products;
• Timely development and implementation of programme and project documentation;
• Quality and level of engagement with media, governments, universities, and other stakeholders;
• UNU-CRIS is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society;

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