Public Engagement Liaison and Personal Assistant to the Director (PSA)

UNU; Richmond Hill; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health seeks a Public Engagement Liaison and Personal Assistant to the Director in Richmond Hill, Canada. This role is crucial for administrative coordination, stakeholder engagement, and enhancing public awareness related to UNU-INWEH's mission. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication, organizational skills, and relevant experience in international organizational contexts.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Health insurance scheme

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in coordination, administration, and/or outreach.
• Experience in drafting complex reports, communications, presentations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the Office of the Director.
• Manage Director's official travel missions and related logistics.
• Handle institutional communications and monitor UNU-INWEH communications.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Social Science, Political Science, International Relations

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Adobe Creative applications

Job description

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

UNU-INWEH, headquartered in Richmond Hill (Greater Toronto Area), Canada, is one of 14 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 guidance and supervision of the Director of UNU-INWEH and in collaboration with the Office of the Director team, the Public Engagement Laison and Personal Assistant to the Director ensures proper coordination of day-to-day operations and timely and transparent execution of tasks related to the Office of the Director at UNU-INWEH. The Public Engagement Laison and Personal Assistant to the Director promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach and supports the maintenance of high staff morale and efficient coordination and communication at the institute.

The Public Engagement Laison and Personal Assistant to the Director also functions as the focal point of the institute for matters related to the Director’s schedule and travel, working in close collaboration with UNU HQ coordination and planning related to UNU representation at events and conferences.

Contingent upon the level of appointment, as a member of the Office of the Director team of UNU-INWEH, the incumbent is expected to:

1.Ensure proper coordination of day-to-day operations of the Office of the Director

• Provide administrative support in managing the working schedule of the Director, including scheduling and updating appointments, communicating with relevant parties, receiving visitors, both in-house and outside contacts and handling queries.

• Manage and coordinate Director’s official travel missions and related visas, and act as travel liaison for Director’s official missions, including scheduling on behalf of Director, arranging appointments and preparing background/briefing material for official meetings and travel missions.

• Perform a variety of administrative duties including preparing and/or processing administrative requests/documents (e.g., travel requests, expense claims, vouchers, etc.).

• Administer Director’s e-signature and other day-to-day support as required.

• Provide substantive and administrative support in managing priorities and workflow of the Office of Director. Analyse, prioritize, and execute work in hand. Work in close liaison with other staff and networks with external organizations. Maintain Director’s files.

• Plan and co-ordinate arrangements for meetings and receptions relating to the Office of the Director in coordination with other units, including preparing and/or presentations and publications.

• Effectively prioritize and resolve related conflicts and competing demands.

• Exercise quality control function for outgoing documents and electronic content; proofread and edit texts (for adherence for format, grammar, punctuation, and style).

• Delegate tasks to other support staff when appropriate.

2. Act as liaison with the INWEH Network and Partners

• Arrange meetings, coordinating with other staff as required.

• Act as liaison for select partners, especially for local and community-based events.

• When required, serve as a communications link on behalf of the Office of the Director by keeping relevant people informed by conveying directives, reports, status updates, and other relevant information, bringing sensitive and urgent matters to the attention of the appropriate personnel.

• Act as secretary to the Senior Management Team and staff meetings.

• Prepare minutes for circulation and follow-up action.
  

3. Coordinates communication, supports knowledge building, knowledge sharing, and public engagement:

• Independently handle a wide range of complex information requests and inquiries, respond or draft responses to these queries.

• Facilitate and handle institutional communications and prepare a brief for the Director when required.

• Monitor and assist with overall UNU-INWEH communications, including timely website updates and entries related to activities and publications.

• Assist in preparation of publications and content production to raise public awareness and share knowledge.

• Assist in facilitation of public engagement activities.

4. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely, pro-active, and smooth operation of the Director’s office and overall UNU-INWEH’s office.

• High-quality contribution and administration of assigned tasks and services against specific timelines.

• Active engagement with UNU-INWEH’s researchers, consultants, and partners as well as with external collaborators and stakeholders, where required.

• Contribution to the positive reputation of UNU-INWEH as a reliable and trustworthy partner among research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.

• Accuracy and attention to details andability and willingness to learn and adapt.

• Up-to-daterecord keeping.

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

1) Education and certification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Social Science, Political Science, International Relations and relevant fields related to the position responsibilities or/and the institute’s area of work.

2) Required skills and experience

• At least 1 year of experience in coordination, administration, and/or outreach, preferably in an international organization

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

• Advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

• Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft is desirable.

• Experience in use of Adobe Creative applications, graphic design and content production is desirable.

• Experience in drafting complex reports, communications, and presentations is required.

• Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities including data/schedule management, maintenance of protocol, information flow.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.

• Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats, using appropriate IT functionality.

• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities.

• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.

• Ability to establish, build and sustain effective relationships with clients, demonstrating understanding of client’s perspective; ability to anticipate client needs and addresses them promptly.

• UN working experience is desirable.

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

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required

• Fluency in French is desired

• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including a tax-exempt salary commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Starting date

As soon as possible.

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

09 July 2025

Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EDT Time-Zone 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

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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