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 Institute
UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU Macau is dedicated to research, training, and education on digital technologies for sustainable development. It promotes evidence-based actions and policies to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNU Macau is located in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, the only UN entity in the city. Situated within the Greater Bay Area, one of the most dynamic regions in the world, UNU Macau benefits from its proximity not only to mainland China and Hong Kong SAR but also to many other Asian countries, offering unique opportunities for researchers and experts to maximize research impact. For more information, visit macau.unu.edu.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director at UNU Macau, the Executive Coordination Assistant will undertake the following tasks:
Coordinate with internal and external parties to implement the outcomes and decisions achieved during meetings with the Director
Participate in important meetings and events with the Director, including those with internal staff such as research and operations team, and those with external partners such as governments, universities, private sector, and other UN entities; take meeting minutes and action points.
Take notes of project/programme timeline and deadlines with the stakeholders, and remind them.
Proactively monitor the implementation process, send friendly reminders, and help trouble shoot, to ensure timely delivery of the project/programmes.
Regularly consult the Director to understand the priorities of the projects and strategies; communicate by email and in person.
2. Support the Director in conference and meeting preparations
Coordinate the logistics of Directorโs participation in external conferences and meetings; contact relevant parties such as the organizers to ensure all substantive and logistical issues are clarified and implemented.
Collect inputs from the Institute experts, and help prepare meeting documents, papers, and presentations as instructed; coordinating with the Communications Team of the Institute shall inputs are required.
Support the Director to manage deadlines for internal reports and proposals.
3. Support the Director in issues related to the Institute Advisory Board
Schedule and confirm regular meetings with the advisory board; take meeting minutes.
Collect and organize institute documentations required by the board before meetings, such as but not limited to, meeting agenda and Institute reports.
Coordinate the implementation of the recommendations based on the outcomes of the board meetings.
4. Provide office support to the Director
Provide administrative support in managing the logistics of meetings and appointments, communicating with relevant parties, receiving visitors, both in-house and outside contacts and handling queries.
Manage appointments, travel arrangements and other logistics for the Director on official mission.
Handle directorโs travel claims and hospitality requests.
Maintain a database of key contacts and serve as the coordination focal point with stakeholders, and reach out on a regular basis, in collaboration with the communications team.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
Key Performance Indicators
Excellent project management skills. Timely, proactive, and result-driven delivery of work tasks
High quality work products in writing, speaking and coordination. Good people skills.
Active engagement with the Instituteโs staff and external collaborators and stakeholders, such as universities, governments, private sector and other UN entities.
Good communications skills in writing and speaking. Information is correctly disseminated as needed with timely responses to queries and follow-ups.
Competencies
Values:
Inclusion โ 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 โ 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 โ demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
Humanity โ act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet
Behaviours:
Connect and collaborate โ build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
Analyse and plan โ 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 โ 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 โ pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
Adapt and innovate โ demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
Education and certifications:
Bachelorโs Degree in Business, management, public administration, economics, education, communications, language studies and other social science fields; or in information systems, computer science, AI, data and other related disciplines
Experience and other requirements:
Required:
Minimum of one (1) year proven full-time experience in project management, coordination or administrative support.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Fluent applications of Generative AI tools to facilitate office work are an asset.
Result-oriented, self-motivated and hands-on, with a strong ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task and work within tight timelines.
Dynamic, even-tempered, focused, and adaptable; strong attention to details,
Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in an international environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
The selected candidate is required to reside full-time in Macau. IT IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION.
Desirable:
Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including public, private, non-profit and intergovernmental organizations.
Experience in working a multi-disciplinary team.
Language requirements:
Good writing and speaking skills in English are required.
Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese/Cantonese is a great advantage.
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 an annual net salary from Patacas (MOP) $246,806 commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.
UNU Macau will cover the cost of travel of the international appointee (non-Macanese residents) to Macau SAR at initial appointment, as well as at their return to home country/point of hire upon final completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function of the appointee will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working-from-remote arrangements.
International appointee is also eligible to apply for tax-exempted monthly rental subsidy up to MOP$10,000 shall they relocate to Macau full-time, and undertake housing arrangements in Macau, excluding working-from-remote arrangements.
UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.
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
22 July, 2025
Submissions must be received by 11:59pm, Macau time zone GMT +8; late entries will not be accepted.
** Application page no longer operational beyond application deadline.
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 โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor โofficialsโ 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.
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.
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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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.
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