Head, Digital and Frontier Technologies
United Nations University (UNU)
Posted
Mar 14, 2026
Location
USA
Type
Full-time
Compensation
$150000 - $150000
Mission
What you will drive
United Nations UniversityHomepageUnited Nations UniversityHomepage
Head, Digital and Frontier Technologies
- On-site
- New York City, New York, United States
- $150,000 - $169,790 per year
- UNU-CPR
Seeking a Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies to lead UNU‑CPR’s research, engagement, and policy work in these areas, requiring deep expertise and strong networks of funders and collaborators.
Job detailsApply
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
United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)
United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-CPR headquarters are in New York with an office in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNU-CPR’s core mission is to produce policy-focused research and thought leadership on issues of strategic importance to the United Nations and its Member States. The Centre prioritizes urgent policy needs requiring innovative, practical solutions for immediate implementation. The Centre’s work also contributes to the long-term resilience of the multilateral system through dialogue, research, strategic convenings, and policy coordination.
More information about its work is available here: https://unu.edu/cpr
Digital and Frontier Technologies Pillar description
No other domain is likely to shape societies more profoundly over the next century or exert a greater influence on the trajectory of human progress than digital and frontier technologies. Advances in these fields are also transforming how the multilateral system operates and the issues it is called on to address through its convening power, norm-setting functions, and development of shared rules.
Senior leadership across the United Nations recognizes the urgency of responding more coherently to technological developments and has made significant efforts to align stakeholders around a digital governance agenda grounded in the principles of the UN Charter. This commitment has generated growing demand for rigorous research, forward-looking analysis, and innovative policy advice.
The United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) is uniquely positioned to meet this need. In recent years, UNU-CPR has helped articulate a forward-looking vision for sustainable technological transformation supporting and working with a wide range of stakeholders from Member States, local governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The Centre has provided tailored policy analysis to senior UN leadership through strategic policy engagements, as well as through multi-year and multi-stakeholder programmes.
UNU-CPR is hiring a Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies, to lead its research, engagement, and policy advisory activities in these areas. The role offers scope to contribute substantively to policy debates already high on the global agenda, including on AI governance, data governance, digital inclusion, human rights in the digital age, and the future of digital economies, while also shaping early thinking on frontier challenges where governance frameworks are still emerging. The position will also focus on how digital and frontier technologies can be responsibly leveraged to advance human and planetary well-being, accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, and inform governance priorities in the post-2030 period.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic team-builder capable of bridging research with the realities of intergovernmental negotiation. They will have a well-developed network of funders and collaborators, and deep expertise in the pillar’s core thematic areas. More information about the position is available here: https://go.unu.edu/Digital_Frontier_Technologies
Responsibilities
This role represents a unique opportunity to advance UNU-CPR’s mission by shaping research and policy thinking on digital and frontier technologies from within the United Nations system. It offers significant scope for innovation and partnership.
The Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies is an experienced researcher that brings analytical rigor, creativity, and strong communication skills to improve understanding of both the opportunities and risks associated with digital transformation. They will design and lead a policy-relevant research agenda that generates guidance for the multilateral system on range of topics that are often politically sensitive.
The position reports directly to the Director of UNU-CPR and is an in-person position, based in New York. Key responsibilities are:
** **
1. **Design and lead impactful work programme **
-
Provide thought leadership in areas of immediate interest and consequence for multilateral negotiations and policy making in the areas of digital and frontier technologies.
-
Identify ways of scaffolding a new impactful programme of policy research on existing UNU-CPR contributions to the fields of global governance and effective multilateralism, sustainable development, and conflict prevention.
-
Identify and engage target policy audiences, drawing on UNU-CPR’s network and your networks.
-
Identify synergies with research programmes across the United Nations, the UN University system, and across UNU-CPR.
-
Invest in joint research initiatives by developing and supporting collaborative research with UN system partners and external stakeholders.
2. Fundraise to support the financial sustainability of this pillar
-
Secure sustainable funding for the research pillar.
-
Identify fundraising pathways, donors, and new partners that can support the work of the pillar with financial and in-kind contributions, including through innovative fellowship schemes.
-
Attract significant third-party funding, with a view to building-up a multi-year research programme with sustainable support from new or existing donors.
-
Attract and retain personnel that can contribute to the success of this pillar.
-
Diversify UNU-CPR’s donor pool and build ties to relevant foundations and private sector partners.
3. **Direct, produce and strategically disseminate targeted research, analysis, and commentary for UNU-CPR stakeholders **
-
Deliver long-form, editorial, and collaborative publications with significant potential for uptake in the UN system and in Member States.
-
Produce and oversee a range of complementary knowledge products beyond traditional publications, including audio visual outputs, digital content, and interactive tools designed to broaden reach and accessibility of UNU-CPR research.
-
Enhance UNU-CPR’s visibility by serving as an expert contributor on high-level or high-visibility panels.
-
Organize high-level meetings and events drawing together key stakeholders with experts at UNU-CPR and/or within our networks.
-
Identify impact pathways with key audiences and action strategies that ensures UNU-CPR research supports decision-makers.
**4. Support management at UNU-CPR **
- ...
Profile
What makes you a great fit
United Nations UniversityHomepageUnited Nations UniversityHomepage
Head, Digital and Frontier Technologies
- On-site
- New York City, New York, United States
- $150,000 - $169,790 per year
- UNU-CPR
Seeking a Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies to lead UNU‑CPR’s research, engagement, and policy work in these areas, requiring deep expertise and strong networks of funders and collaborators.
Job detailsApply
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
United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)
United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-CPR headquarters are in New York with an office in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNU-CPR’s core mission is to produce policy-focused research and thought leadership on issues of strategic importance to the United Nations and its Member States. The Centre prioritizes urgent policy needs requiring innovative, practical solutions for immediate implementation. The Centre’s work also contributes to the long-term resilience of the multilateral system through dialogue, research, strategic convenings, and policy coordination.
More information about its work is available here: https://unu.edu/cpr
Digital and Frontier Technologies Pillar description
No other domain is likely to shape societies more profoundly over the next century or exert a greater influence on the trajectory of human progress than digital and frontier technologies. Advances in these fields are also transforming how the multilateral system operates and the issues it is called on to address through its convening power, norm-setting functions, and development of shared rules.
Senior leadership across the United Nations recognizes the urgency of responding more coherently to technological developments and has made significant efforts to align stakeholders around a digital governance agenda grounded in the principles of the UN Charter. This commitment has generated growing demand for rigorous research, forward-looking analysis, and innovative policy advice.
The United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) is uniquely positioned to meet this need. In recent years, UNU-CPR has helped articulate a forward-looking vision for sustainable technological transformation supporting and working with a wide range of stakeholders from Member States, local governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The Centre has provided tailored policy analysis to senior UN leadership through strategic policy engagements, as well as through multi-year and multi-stakeholder programmes.
UNU-CPR is hiring a Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies, to lead its research, engagement, and policy advisory activities in these areas. The role offers scope to contribute substantively to policy debates already high on the global agenda, including on AI governance, data governance, digital inclusion, human rights in the digital age, and the future of digital economies, while also shaping early thinking on frontier challenges where governance frameworks are still emerging. The position will also focus on how digital and frontier technologies can be responsibly leveraged to advance human and planetary well-being, accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, and inform governance priorities in the post-2030 period.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic team-builder capable of bridging research with the realities of intergovernmental negotiation. They will have a well-developed network of funders and collaborators, and deep expertise in the pillar’s core thematic areas. More information about the position is available here: https://go.unu.edu/Digital_Frontier_Technologies
Responsibilities
This role represents a unique opportunity to advance UNU-CPR’s mission by shaping research and policy thinking on digital and frontier technologies from within the United Nations system. It offers significant scope for innovation and partnership.
The Head of Digital and Frontier Technologies is an experienced researcher that brings analytical rigor, creativity, and strong communication skills to improve understanding of both the opportunities and risks associated with digital transformation. They will design and lead a policy-relevant research agenda that generates guidance for the multilateral system on range of topics that are often politically sensitive.
The position reports directly to the Director of UNU-CPR and is an in-person position, based in New York. Key responsibilities are:
** **
1. **Design and lead impactful work programme **
-
Provide thought leadership in areas of immediate interest and consequence for multilateral negotiations and policy making in the areas of digital and frontier technologies.
-
Identify ways of scaffolding a new impactful programme of policy research on existing UNU-CPR contributions to the fields of global governance and effective multilateralism, sustainable development, and conflict prevention.
-
Identify and engage target policy audiences, drawing on UNU-CPR’s network and your networks.
-
Identify synergies with research programmes across the United Nations, the UN University system, and across UNU-CPR.
-
Invest in joint research initiatives by developing and supporting collaborative research with UN system partners and external stakeholders.
2. Fundraise to support the financial sustainability of this pillar
-
Secure sustainable funding for the research pillar.
-
Identify fundraising pathways, donors, and new partners that can support the work of the pillar with financial and in-kind contributions, including through innovative fellowship schemes.
-
Attract significant third-party funding, with a view to building-up a multi-year research programme with sustainable support from new or existing donors.
-
Attract and retain personnel that can contribute to the success of this pillar.
-
Diversify UNU-CPR’s donor pool and build ties to relevant foundations and private sector partners.
3. **Direct, produce and strategically disseminate targeted research, analysis, and commentary for UNU-CPR stakeholders **
-
Deliver long-form, editorial, and collaborative publications with significant potential for uptake in the UN system and in Member States.
-
Produce and oversee a range of complementary knowledge products beyond traditional publications, including audio visual outputs, digital content, and interactive tools designed to broaden reach and accessibility of UNU-CPR research.
-
Enhance UNU-CPR’s visibility by serving as an expert contributor on high-level or high-visibility panels.
-
Organize high-level meetings and events drawing together key stakeholders with experts at UNU-CPR and/or within our networks.
-
Identify impact pathways with key audiences and action strategies that ensures UNU-CPR research supports decision-makers.
**4. Support management at UNU-CPR **
- ...