Head, Policy Development, Partnerships and Government Relations (P5)

Job description

About UN 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 United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)

UNU-INWEH is one of 13 research and training institutions that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-INWEH’s vision is a world free of water, environmental and health problems where sustainable development, environmental health, and human security are assured for all. Its mission is to help resolve pressing water, environmental, and health challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their people. UNU-INWEH pursues its mission through critical analysis and synthesis of existing bodies of scientific discovery; targeted research that identifies emerging policy issues; application of on-the-ground scalable science-based solutions to grand water, environmental and health challenges; and global outreach.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director, the Head, Policy Development, Partnerships and Government Relations, as a member of a senior leadership team of the institute, contributes to shaping the Institute’s strategic direction, strengthening its policy impact, expanding its network of partners, and improve its strategic engagements with the UN agencies and Member States, particularly in the Global South. This position is established in response to the growing demand for UNU-INWEH’s policy-relevant research and capacity development, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and country-level engagement, particularly in Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, South and Central Asia, where the Institute’s portfolio has expanded significantly. The incumbent leads and coordinates a geographically dispersed team of policy and partnership experts, ensuring coherence, strategic alignment, and effective delivery across regional initiatives, while scaling the Institute’s policy influence and operational footprint. The role builds on UNU-INWEH’s expanding geographic engagement, including transboundary water governance and diplomacy, glacier preservation, disaster risk reduction, and sand and dust storms, as well as flagship initiatives such as the Global Media Academy, the UN Water Conference Academic Hub, and contributions to the Water Action Decade and its follow-up processes. The position also responds to the need for strengthened engagement in emerging priority areas, including the growing capacity building initiatives in Africa, environmental governance in Central Asia, support to Tajikistan in the context of the Water Action Decade, women’s empowerment initiatives in South and Central Asia, and the development of strategic country-level partnerships. In addition, the Head of Policy Development and Government Relations plays a central role in supporting the Office of the Director by advancing advocacy, strengthening diplomatic, private sector, and public engagements, contributing to resource mobilization, and enhancing institutional visibility. The position serves as a key coordination interface between UNU Headquarters and UNU-INWEH, ensuring alignment with system-wide priorities and facilitating effective communication and collaboration in compliance with the strategic plans of UNU and UNU-INWEH (2025-2029).

Responsibilities include:

1. Contribute to the overall leadership and management of the Institute, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Serve as a member of the senior management team of the Institute and provide advice to the Director concerning policy development, diplomatic engagements and partnership issues, particularly related to Global South priorities

• Provide substantive support to the development of the Institute’s long-term vision, strategic plans, and policy positioning

• Support and coordinate the work of the Office of the Director, including preparation of high-level engagements, briefing notes, and institutional reporting.

• Assist the Director or lead the preparation of institute-wide events (e.g., International Advisory Committee meetings and high-level policy dialogues).

• Assist the Director in reporting activities (e.g., contributions to annual reports) and providing inputs to UNU HQ and other stakeholders.

• Contribute and participate in the recruitment and selection of new personnel for the Institute, engage in consultations with the other members of the senior management team in charge of research and training, and operations (administration and finance) units.

• Contribute to the implementation of Institute-wide strategies, including policy, research, capacity building, and administrative priorities in collaboration with the members of the senior management team.

• Represent the Director at strategic meetings, including global policy fora, as needed.

• Act as Officer-In-Charge and Certifying Officer, when required.

2. Support governance, management, and coordination of the Institute focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Actively contribute to the successful governance of the Institute, including strategy implementation, budgeting, and human resource management, as a member of the senior management team.

• Support coordination across programmes and pillars to ensure alignment with policy priorities and institutional objectives

• Provide guidance to programme leads on strategic programme development, policy alignment, and project-based fundraising.

• Monitor programme performance, ensuring delivery of results on time and within budget.

• Support internal governance processes, including management meetings and institutional reporting.

• Promote diversity, inclusivity, gender equality, and gender mainstreaming across all areas of work.

3. Lead fundraising and resource mobilization activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Develop and maintain collaborative links with the UN system, international organizations, development banks, and private sector institutions, with a special focus on Global South partnerships.

• Lead the formulation of project proposals and policy-oriented programmes aligned with donor priorities.

• Support the Director in donor relations, including engagement, negotiations, and strategic positioning of the Institute.

• Support the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies for policy-relevant thematic areas.

• Establish and maintain relationships with governments, donors, and partners to support programme development and resource mobilization.

• Secure external funding for policy, research, and capacity development activities, particularly in Asia Pacific and Africa

• Oversee donor reporting and ensure accountability frameworks are implemented effectively.

4. Lead policy development and Global South engagement focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead the development of policy-relevant research agendas aligned with Global South priorities and emerging development challenges in the areas related to the mission and mandate of UNU-INWEH, particularly in Asia Pacific and Africa.

• Identify and contribute to addressing emerging policy issues of relevance to the United Nations, Member States, and partners in the Global South.

• Coordinate the articulation of evidence-based policies, strategies, and approaches to inform global, regional, and national decision-making.

• Engage policy consumers, including governments, basin organizations, regional bodies, and civil society, to ensure uptake and impact of research outputs.

• Lead contributions to UN system-wide, Regional Commissions, Resident Coordinator’s Offices and UN Country Team policy processes, reports, and platforms.

5. Facilitate partnerships, representation, and institutional positioning focusing on achievement of the following results:      

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with governments, UN agencies, academia, and regional organizations, particularly in the Global South.

• Represent the Institute and the Director in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, regional commissions and global policy platforms, including UN-Water, Water Action Decade Process, ESCAP, SDS Coalition among others.

• Strengthen collaboration with policy networks, think tanks, and development partners.

• Promote the Institute’s role as a policy leader within the UN system and beyond.

• Advance partnerships supporting inclusive capacity development initiatives, with a particular emphasis on the empowerment of women professionals in the fields of water, environment, and health.

• Facilitate alliances with universities and research institutes that enhance programme development, implementation, and resource mobilization.

• Establish and operationalize the strategic partnership with interested Member States.

• Contribute to the improved advocacy and policy engagements of the UNU Hubs connected to UNU-INWEH.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality implementation of the UNU-INWEH work programme.

• Quality and level of engagement with policy stakeholders within and outside the UN System.

• Quality and extent of research output, serving academic and policy audiences.

• Quality and level of engagement in leadership activities of the institute.

• Quality and level of engagement with partners, related networks, working groups, other researchers, teams, consultants, and partners.

• Increased sustainable donor support to UNU-INWEH including excellent donor relationships and diversified funding sources.

• Performance and well-being of the personnel in the Research Unit and the institute.

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 and requirements

1) Education and certification

• A PhD in Hydrology, Water Management, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Sciences or Engineering, International Development, or Geography, or a scientific field related to the Institute’s activity areas;
  or

  an MSc. in combination with at least three additional years of qualifying experience in the above fields.

2) Skills and experience

Required:

• At least 10 (ten) years of progressively responsible work experience in water management, environmental policy, or international development, of which at least 7 (seven) years in a managerial role, with demonstrable leadership and management.

• Extensive experience with policy processes, especially in the water and environmental spaces.

• Successful record of Global South engagement and past record of project implementation in developing countries

• Demonstrated experience in diplomatic and UN system engagements.

• Proven experience in writing science-based policy documents such as policy briefs and policy-oriented reports

• Demonstrated experience in financial and human resources management.

• Proven experience in fundraising from a variety of sources at the national and international level.

• A highly collaborative style with a strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.

• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communications skills as well as demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to interact with colleagues of diverse backgrounds, with political representatives, the diplomatic community and in both industrialized and developing countries.

Desirable Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in the women empowerment, gender equity, and DEI issues is desirable.

• Prior work experience in the UN system or intergovernmental entities is desirable.

• Proven record of successful work at the science-policy interface and engagement with academia.

• Prior work experience in water diplomacy or transboundary water management is desirable.

• Prior work experience in academia, capacity building, and mentoring students is desirable.

• A PhD or experience of working in research environments is desirable.

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL

Duration of contract

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.

For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Starting Date

Immediate

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;

• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);

• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and

• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

10 November 2026

Submissions must be received by 23:59 [EST] on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

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. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.

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.

If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

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 other similar positions with UNU.

Scam warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Position details

• Institute or department: UNU-INWEH
• Location: Richmond Hill (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada
• Work arrangement: On-site
• Application closes: 2026-11-11 04:59:59 UTC