Job Title : Consultant for Organisational Culture Review
Location : Kuala Lumpur
Company : United Nations University
Salary :
Open Date : 2023-05-20
Close Date : 2023-09-20

Job description About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About Institute (UNU-IIGH)

UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is the designated UN think tank on global health, serving as a policy translation hub for UN member states, agencies and programmes. It was established by a statute adopted by the Council of the United Nations University in December 2005.

The Institute generates policy-relevant analysis by applying a gender lens to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of health programmes. UNU-IIGH also supports the capacity development of local decision-makers and stakeholders to engage effectively with global health challenges within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Background

The UNU – IIGH strategy (2019-2023) defines and articulates its strategic advantage and position within the UN and global health eco-system; defines its role vis a vis SDGs implementation and monitoring; and identifies strategic partnerships (and associated activities). The implementation of the strategy began in earnest in early 2019 with some revision of the work plans and prioritisation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and guidance from the IAB.

An interim review was conducted in 2021, which identified that three years after implementing the strategy, most (17/20) performance indicators had either been achieved or were on track. There has also been solid progress towards achieving strategic outcomes across the three pillars of work. The review pointed out that while progress has been made in building partnerships and networks, fundraising and positioning IIGH in strategic discussions, more needs to be done to deepen the evidence, amplify the perspectives from low- and middle-income countries and embed social justice equity at the heart of different processes and discussions.

The recently concluded external review (2023) review found that UNU-IIGH has achieved measurable progress across all three Pillars of the existing strategy. According to the review, partners and stakeholders have had fruitful experiences working with UNU-IIGH, with particular commendations arising as a result of UNU-IIGH’s emerging leadership within the areas of decolonisation in global health, gender in health and capacity strengthening at the local, regional, and global level, enhancing the skills and knowledge of global health players. UNU-IIGH, according to the review, was also highly commended for its guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reasons for the Review

The 2020-2024 UNU Strategic Plan identifies a key objective of UNU to: Invest in a dynamic, innovative, and diverse institutional culture: by encouraging innovation in all dimensions of the University’s work, which is undertaken by a diverse and gender-balanced community of scholars, communicators, and management professionals, and by promoting collaboration across spatial and disciplinary boundaries.

Although during the 2023 external review, staff were asked about organisational culture in the initial interviews, and naturally, some partners and staff spoke on such issues during the interviews and online survey responses, the scope of that review was on the UNU-IIGH Strategic Framework. As such, it did not focus on operational dimensions or the organisational culture insights. As a result, there is less focus on these issues in the 2023 review report.

Furthermore, given multiple transitions in 2022 and the challenges of working during COVID-19, multiple issues with regard to staff well-being and organisational culture have come to light. A review of organisational culture at this juncture would provide critical insights to help build/reinforce, and with colleagues, a work culture that, taking careful account of their needs and aspirations as well as the challenges to be faced, enables effective delivery of priorities and sustains the mission and vision that the Institute must uphold by virtue of its mandate.

Objectives - Enhance organisational culture and team building

The review will assess the performance of UNU-IIGH to date and make recommendations on the following:

• Undertake a study with all staff to understand their needs and aspirations, as well as the challenges they face in terms of delivering UNU-IIGH priorities. It should include consideration of the following:
  • Overall ways of working
  • Working within the team structures
  • Internal and cross-team communications

• Conduct focused group discussions to identify ways to enhance team dynamics, improve ways of working and support delivery.
  
• Identify ways to identify and foster shared workplace values and the processes to implement them.
• Create common understanding on matters affecting mutual respect and on ways to address concerns before they escalate.
• Suggest and shape initiatives to support staff, such as through, for example, peer support, coaching and mentoring.

The Reviewer will carry out consultations, starting with the initial meeting with SMT. UNU-IIGH will provide relevant documentation in advance of interviews with staff and other relevant stakeholders.

A draft copy of the final report will be made available to the Director of UNU-IIGH prior to its finalisation. The final report will be presented to the IAB and UNU Rector.

Roles and responsibilities

The Reviewer will be responsible for conducting the review and ensuring timely delivery of the review report. UNU-IIGH will facilitate the review process.

Expected Deliverables and Timeline

The Reviewer will deliver a draft report of a maximum of 20 pages in length (excluding annexes and other supporting material). The suggested timeline for the review is as follows:

• 1 Jul 2023 - Identification of Reviewer
• Week of 3 Jul 2023 - Kick-off meeting with Reviewer (over the phone)
• July 2023 - Desk review of key materials provided by UNU-IIGH; initial meeting with SMT
• Week of 18 Sep OR Week of 2 Oct 2023 - Visit to Malaysia
• Oct 2023 - Interviews with IAB Chair and RO (and any additional interviews as identified)
• 15 Nov 2023 - First draft report shared with UNU-IIGH Director
• 30 Nov 2023 - Comments on the first draft
• 15 Jan 2024 - Final draft (also shared with IAB and Rector’s Office)

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

Mandatory:

• Proven experience in the field of monitoring, evaluation, assessment, strategic planning and organisational development and leadership.

Desirable:

• Previous work with the UN, other international organisations and/or major institutions in the field of monitoring, evaluation, assessment, or strategic planning and organisational development
• Experience in advocating and implementing principles of gender equality, health equity and human rights in organisational settings.

Other technical requirements:

• Sufficient capacity, knowledge and experience are required to cover the following areas of expertise: organisational development and team building
• Full professional working proficiency/native or bilingual proficiency in English

Remuneration and Duration of Contract

Remuneration will be based on standard UN rates and the applicant's level of experience and expertise. However, UNU-IIGH 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 the successful applicant. The duration of the contract is from July 2023 to January 2024, spread over 20 to 25 days of work. Any travel would be budgeted separately and reimbursed based on actual costs.

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: 31 May 2023

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status, nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. 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. Applications from developing countries and from women are strongly encouraged. 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.

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 descriptions, experience and educational requirements.

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