About United Nations University
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU 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, 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’ full breadth, 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. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.
About United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV)
The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), based in the city of Guimarães, north of Portugal, is one of 14 research and training Institutes and Units that comprise the UNU system. The mission of UNU-EGOV is to support the Member States of the United Nations in transforming the mechanisms of governance and building effective governance capabilities through strategic applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to contribute to sustainable development, social inclusion and active citizenship. As a think tank and research unit, UNU-EGOV combines both classical research and consultancy projects.
In fulfilment of its purpose UNU-EGOV:
- carries out policy-relevant research;
- translates research findings into relevant policy instruments;
- builds capacity in localizing and applying such instruments within and among governments clients and partners within the UN system, academic and other relevant organizations;
- builds and maintains research and policy networks to share the lessons learnt, foster mutual learning, and bridge research and policy worlds; and
- monitors, evaluates and disseminates the latest developments in the area. For more information, please visit http://egov.unu.edu.
The UNU-EGOV Core Research Programme 2020-2024 is dedicated to the theme of “Governance and digital transformation for inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies”. It aims to consolidate and exploit the existing knowledge as well as to explore new learning to reach inclusion, development, sustainability and security worldwide.
Furthermore, it investigates the current and new digital governance challenges for a resilient society.
Research topics approached in the Core Research Programme include:
- Governance models and strategies for digital transformation of the public sector and society at large;
- Smart and sustainable cities and communities;
- Standards and regulatory issues related to interoperability, usability, data and privacy protection;
- Technology-enabled innovation including models, capacities and specific emerging concepts and technologies;
- Big data and AI including data capture, maintenance and data exchange;
- Technological service delivery, administrative burden reduction and anti-corruption, etc.
Cooperation between UNU-EGOV and the University of Minho
UNU-EGOV welcomes expressions of interest from full-time faculty members of the University of Minho for cooperation in research, academic and other activities undertaken to support the missions and programmes of both organizations. This cooperation arose from the concluded agreement between the UNU-EGOV, and the University of Minho, signed on 27 October 2014 in Guimaraes, Portugal.
Based on the expressions of interest, existing or expected collaboration and project opportunities, and internal requirements and procedures of the United Nations University, UNU-EGOV shall make a limited number of appointments for selected faculty members to become UNU-EGOV Adjunct Professors. The appointments are intended to facilitate collaboration between both organizations and create an opportunity for interested academics to engage in multi-disciplinary and policy-relevant research and to contribute to policy debate and programme development within the United Nations system.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of UNU-EGOV, the Adjunct Professors ensure the execution of the following attributions:
- The appointees will be expected to dedicate research time to UNU-EGOV, in coordination with the research units to which they are affiliated within the University of Minho, contributing to the UNU-EGOV program through research, development, teaching, outreach, fundraising and other activities.
- The appointees will be expected to participate in UNU-EGOV activities, interacting with UNU-EGOV staff, namely, when possible, through attendance of UNU-EGOV staff meetings and at other UNU EGOV events.
- The appointees are expected to contribute to policy debate and programme development within the UN system.
Key Performance Indicators
- Quality of the scientific and policy-oriented research and knowledge products delivered.
- Quality and level of contributions and engagement in UNU-EGOV projects, programs and work plans.
- Quality and level of engagement with all partners, including a strong commitment level to contribute to UNU-EGOV being perceived as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.
- Quality and level of engagement in bridging UNU-EGOV and University of Minho activities.
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
Qualifications
Education and Certification:
Completed doctoral degree (PhD) in a field relevant to the UNU-EGOV mission (Information systems, Communication Sciences, Economics, Law, Public Administration, Artificial Intelligence and International Relations, Computer science, Development Management, Public Policy or another related discipline)
Experience:
Required
- Full-time faculty status at the University of Minho.
- Research record in areas relevant or complementary to the UNU-EGOV mission.
- Record or potential for conducting policy-relevant research.
- Record or potential for projects with government entities.
- Record of doctoral student or fellows’ supervision.
Desirable
- A proven ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently.
- Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work harmoniously in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.
- Other desirable skills: Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, resilience, teamwork and coordination, excellent oral and written communication skills.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in other UN languages is an advantage.
Remuneration and Duration of contract
The appointees will be granted by UNU-EGOV the titles of “Adjunct Professor”, “Adjunct Associate Professor”, or “Adjunct Assistant Professor”, depending on their seniority within the University of Minho. The appointment will initially last for two years, renewable for further two-year periods, based on the extent of contribution to UNU-EGOV and the progress achieved in collaboration between the organizations.
Successful candidates will not hold international civil servant status nor be considered “staff members” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. They will not receive remuneration from the UNU-EGOV and shall maintain their employment status with the University of Minho while on secondment to UNU-EGOV.The successful candidates are expected to dedicate one day per week (on average) to the UNU-EGOV activities and to be physically present in the UNU-EGOV premises in the Campus of Couros in Guimarães at least twice per month.
The UNU-EGOV will compensate the appointed adjunct professors for the travel costs between their place of duty at the University of Minho and the UNU-EGOV premises for the days of physical attendance. In addition, the UNU-EGOV will also provide the necessary conditions for the appointed professors to undertake their activities, including the support to attend worldwide conferences and events as well as other international engagements related to the UNU-EGOV mission. Among others, this may entail financial support for registration, travel tickets, and Daily Subsistence Allowances as per the United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations.
How to Apply:
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
- use the “APPLY” link below.
- provide a motivation statement and
- submit your CV (the UNU P11 form is not mandatory)
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline: 06 September 2023
Expected starting date: September 2023
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include the conduction of an interview.
Special Notice
UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation.
UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Information about UNU rosters
UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for positions with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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