The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization that focuses on addressing pressing global problems related to human survival, development, and welfare through collaborative research and education . Established as an international academic community, UNU works with leading universities and research institutes in UN Member States and contributes to capacity building, particularly in developing countries, through its postgraduate teaching activities . UNU employs both full-time and part-time personnel at its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and at various institutes and offices worldwide .
Career opportunities at UNU
The UNU offers various job opportunities, including fixed-term UN staff positions (Professional, National Officer, and General Service), Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) positions, and consultant contracts . These roles are available across its global network of institutes and offices, such as the Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) in Bonn, Germany, and the World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) .
Current opportunities as of October 11, 2025, include
- Lead Software Solutions Engineer (GS-7)
- Software Solutions Engineer (GS-6)
- Junior Fellows Internship
- GOVERNMENT FELLOWS (Consultant contract – CTC) – 8 positions per year – ROSTER
- Academic Officer – Head of Climate Risk Analytics (FTA-P3)
- UNFCCC – UNU Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme
- Adjunct Professor/Researcher on the Resource Nexus (Roster)
- Programme Assistant (PSA2)
- Executive Associate GS6 (PSA)
To find the most up-to-date and complete list, you should check the official UNU Careers website at https://careers.unu.edu/
Application process
The general steps for applying to a position at UNU are:
- Identify the Job: Visit the official UNU Careers website to see a full list of current job opportunities.
- Review Requirements: Carefully read the entire job advertisement, paying close attention to the mandatory education, experience, and language requirements. Your application will often be automatically filtered if these basic requirements are not met.
- Create or Update a Profile: For fixed-term UN staff positions, you will typically need to create or log in to an account on Inspira, the UN’s talent management platform, and complete your Personal History Profile (PHP) or a similar online application form.
- Complete the Application Form: Fill in all required fields of the online form. Do not leave sections blank, as this can disqualify your application.
- Submit by Deadline: Submit the complete application package (online form/PHP, cover letter, and any other required documents) before the closing date. Deadlines are usually based on a specific time zone, which is critical to observe.
- Monitor Status: After submission, monitor your application status through the UN Careers portal or the respective platform. Only shortlisted candidates are typically contacted for the next stages.
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