Director, UNU-INWEH, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

• Organization: UNU - United Nations University
• Country: Canada
• Field location: Hamilton, Canada
• Office: UNU-INWEH

United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
175 Longwood Road South, Suite 204
Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA L8P 0A1
Tel: +1 (905) 667-5511
Fax: +1 (905) 667-5510

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Closing date: Thursday, 15 October 2015

POSITION: D-1
REFERENCE NO.: 2015/UNU/INWEH/FTA/DIR/38
LOCATION: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Timezone: UTC -5
CLOSING DATE: 2015-10-15
Organizational Unit: UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
United Nations University objectives
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and 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 solutions to the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
The UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is a unit of the United Nations University based in Canada. It was created in 1996 with funding from the Government of Canada, and is hosted at the McMaster University, Hamilton.
The UNU-INWEH vision: A world free of water problems where sustainable development, environmental health and public health are assured. Its mission is to help resolve pressing water challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their peoples, through knowledge-based synthesis of existing bodies of scientific discovery; through policy analysis and cutting-edge targeted research that identifies emerging policy issues; through application of on-the-ground scalable solutions based on credible research; and through relevant and targeted public outreach.
UNU-INWEH's Strategic Plan (2015-2019) - 'Envisioning a World Free of Water Problems' - summarizes the institutional strategy for addressing key global water challenges and for positioning the Institute as a leader on these issues. The new strategy builds upon the Institute's strong track record with a revitalized commitment to its vision and mission. The new approach focuses on knowledge exchange through first-class policy-relevant research and strategic partnerships with universities and the private sector as key components. It envisions that delivery on the knowledge-policy-practice continuum will take place through new large-scale, multi-faceted, multi-country policy-relevant research projects, and through significant consolidation and strengthening of existing projects.
The new strategy and the resulting institutional growth at UNU-INWEH will be supported through an enhanced partnership with McMaster University, one of Canada's leading research institutions.
For more specific information on UNU-INWEH, please visit www.inweh.unu.edu.
Responsibilities
The Director reports to the Rector of the United Nations University, and has overall responsibility for the organization and management of the Institute and its programmes. As such, the preferred candidate should have an established scientific profile in water, economics, ecological, environmental sustainability or public health research or a related field, bringing to UNU-INWEH the necessary prestige in the international scholarly community. Management capacity is key in this position, and significant management experience will be an asset for any applicant.
The Director is responsible for guaranteeing scientific excellence through internal quality control and providing guidance and inspiration for the conduct of UNU-INWEH research activities. The Director will need to ensure that UNU-INWEH research contributes to important policy debates within the United Nations and Member States based on a thorough understanding of global water challenges and the outcomes of the Institute's research programme. We are looking for a dynamic individual with a strong academic and management background who can recruit and lead a world-class team of researchers; mobilize significant external funding, build partnerships with universities, think tanks, and the private sector, as well as with other parts of the UN system; and produce world-class, policy-relevant research that contributes to the resolution of global water challenges.
Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in the Environmental Sciences or Engineering, Economics, Ecology, Hydrology, International Development, Geography, or a related field.
• Strong background in policy-relevant research and international capacity development in the area of water, economics, environmental health, public health or related fields.
• Proven track record of significant fund-raising for international projects.
• A prominent profile in the relevant academic community.
• Demonstrated leadership in creating networks focused on water-related research domains, and developing policy-relevant research.
• Proven track record of strong, senior management experience in an academic/research institution.
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with the United Nations system, United Nations University and water-related work across the United Nations system.
• Excellent communications and drafting skills, with fluency in both oral and written English. Knowledge of other official UN languages would be an asset.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration
We offer a competitive approximate net salary (tax-exempted) of USD 139,000 p.a. at single rate and USD 153,000 p.a. with dependents, including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.
The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common Systems, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave. For more information, please visit www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm.
The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.
Duration of contract
The period of initial contract would be for a four-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a further four years on the basis of excellent performance. The mandatory retirement age in the United Nations is 65 years.
Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University.
UNU is an equal opportunities employer and strives to enhance gender balance within the Organization, particularly at senior management level. Applications from suitably qualified women candidates and those from developing countries are especially encouraged.
Starting date
1 July 2016.