Senior Fellow (Gaming and Online Harms)

The incumbent will support UNICRI in the effective implementation of the “Checkpoint Reached” project and the further development of its work on gaming and online harms, contributing to a stronger evidence base, stakeholder engagement, knowledge dissemination and future research and programming under the broader Cybercrime and Online Harms workstream.

UNICRI HQ in Turin, no travels envisaged

4 months

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI' s goals are: • to advance understanding of crime-related problems; • to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems; • to support the respect of international instruments and other standards; • to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance. UNICRI’s Cybercrime and Online Harms workstream seeks to strengthen understanding of and responses to evolving forms of crime and harm in digital environments through research, policy development, capacity-building and programme development. Within this workstream, UNICRI is expanding its focus on online gaming environments and their intersection with issues including exploitation and abuse, cybercrime, violent and coercive behaviour, and terrorism and violent extremism, with particular attention to risks affecting children and young people. In 2026, UNICRI, in partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, launched a new joint project entitled “Checkpoint Reached: Gaming and Violent Extremism in Southeast Asia”, which explores the potential of games to foster pro-social behaviour and contribute to prevention. Building on this, UNICRI seeks to strengthen its evidence base and identify opportunities for further research, policy engagement and programming on gaming and online harms. Under the overall supervision of the New York Liaison Office, and in close coordination with the Project Manager, the incumbent will perform the following tasks: • Support the implementation of the “Checkpoint Reached” project, in particular the Game Jam, including through research, stakeholder engagement, preparation and review of written products, and knowledge dissemination activities. • Conduct research and analysis on gaming and online harms, including the intersection of gaming environments with terrorism and violent extremism, exploitation and abuse, cybercrime, violent and coercive behaviour, and other emerging forms of online harm. • Research and analyze the potential of games to foster pro-social behaviour, digital resilience and prevention, and identify relevant practices and lessons learned. • Support stakeholder mapping and engagement with relevant partners, including gaming and technology companies, game developers, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, researchers and international organizations. • Contribute to the preparation of reports, background papers, briefing notes, presentations and other analytical and knowledge products related to gaming and online harms. • Identify emerging issues, research gaps and opportunities for future research and programming in the area of gaming and online harms. • Perform any other related tasks as requested by the supervisor.

An Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, security studies, criminology, cybersecurity, public policy, or another related discipline is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields, in combination with two additional years of relevant qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in research, policy analysis, programme development, project implementation or related areas in the fields of crime prevention, criminal justice, rule of law, human rights, international law or related areas is required. Experience working on cybercrime, online harms, terrorism and violent extremism online, gaming environments or related digital issues is required. Experience working in or with communities is required. Experience conducting research and preparing analytical or policy-oriented outputs is desirable. Experience working with or in Southeast Asia is highly desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or other international organizations is desirable.

For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.