Senior Researcher (Middle East WMD-Free Zone)

About the job

Background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institute within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems.

UNIDIR’s Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project aims to support the Middle East WMD-Free Zone initiative by promoting the four main future components of the Middle East WMD-Free Zone: (1) non-proliferation, (2) disarmament, (3) peaceful cooperation, and (4) verification and safeguards. The Project is looking for a Senior Researcher to conduct research and contribute to the implementation of project activities.

Responsibilities

Within the Project, the Senior Researcher will perform the following duties under the supervision of the Project Head:

Conduct and oversee research, analysis, advice, support and capacity-building activities:

• Conduct research related to the Project, including collecting, analysing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources;
• Produce original publications based on research related to the project objectives;
• Review research materials produced by the Project, ensuring quality assurance in line with the Project and UNIDIR standards and guidelines; and
• Contribute to the management and maintenance of project tools and databases.

Contribute to the implementation of project activities, including:

• Liaise with partners from States, regional organizations, the United Nations and expert NGOs for implementing the project research activities;
• Manage, coordinate and oversee the successful delivery of the Project’s events, covering the full life-cycle of event management; and
• Gather policy positions and provide recommendations to advance the project objectives.

Ensure the successful delivery of the project objectives, including:

• Develop, build and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders and secure their buy-in for the project strategy and workplan;
• Represent UNIDIR and the Project in external engagements, as assigned by the Project Head; Provide substantive support to other parts of the Project;
• Support the Project Head in the development and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy; and
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Head.

Schedule for the proposed work

A work plan for the duration of the contract will be established within the first two weeks of the contract. The Senior Researcher will have regular communication with the Project Head in order to set assignments within the work plan and monitor progress. The Senior Researcher will inform the Head if there are any issues concerning meeting the agreed deliverables and deadlines.

Performance indicators

The Senior Researcher will be evaluated at the end of the contract. Performance indicators include:

• Assignments are completed on time and to the satisfaction of the Project Head.
• Engagement is professional, team-oriented and positive.
• Active participation in the activities of the Institute.
• The Senior Researcher demonstrates the core values of the UN and the core competencies described below in the discharge of their duties.

The Senior Researcher is always to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect for Diversity.

In addition, in this role, the Senior Researcher will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Ability to take ownership and demonstrate a willingness to accept responsibilities. Ability to apply good judgment; exercise a fair degree of autonomy and personal initiative, including working independently within established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality. Ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially. Knowledge of relevant stakeholders in the field of disarmament and arms control, international security, peace or defence economics.
• Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates an appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches the task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Qualifications and experience

Education

• A master’s degree in international affairs/security, political science, international law, peace studies, conflict studies, or a related field is required.
• A doctorate or equivalent qualification in international affairs/security, political science, international law, peace studies, conflict studies, or a related field is desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the field of in research in Weapons of Mass Destruction arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation is required.
• Demonstrated experience in arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation in the Middle East is required.
• A proven track record of drafting written outputs and producing policy-relevant publications is required.
• A successful track record in project management is required, including in the following areas: designing project activities; coordinating with research and institutional partners as well as project donors; monitoring timelines and milestones; implementing activities within budget and on time; overseeing and guiding research activities of team members; and conducting follow-up on project activities, is required.
• Experience working in, and building strong relationships with, United Nations field missions, international, regional organizations, government and/or specialized NGO in the fields of conventional arms control or conflict prevention and mitigation is desirable.
• A proven track record in resource mobilization is desirable.
• Knowledge of gender issues or experience with gender mainstreaming in a field relevant to the position is desirable.

Language

For this assignment, fluency in English (both written and oral) is required.

Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Travel

The Senior Researcher is required to travel during the course of this assignment. Dates and locations will be determined during implementation of the Project. The Senior Researcher must complete the UN course BSAFE (online) and provide UNIDIR with a certificate of completion.

Copyright

UNIDIR retains copyright of all documents and the ownership of the intellectual property resulting from all work carried out under this contract. The Senior Researcher warrants that any written work will be original works or that where he/she incorporates copyright material from another source, copyright permission for its use will be obtained. Written output(s) may be attributed to the Senior Researcher.

How to apply

The applicant should submit:

• A cover letter
• A PDF of a UN Personal History Profile (PHP) created via Inspira
• Name and contact details of three references.

Applications should be sent as email attachments, with the subject line “Application: Middle East WMD-Free Zone Senior Researcher” to E-Mail schreiben.

No applications will be accepted by post. Deadline for submission of applications is 4 June 2026. Closing date is midnight Geneva time.

Please note

Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you move forward in the process, you may be contacted for further assessment.

UNIDIR is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Head.