Project Associate, Climate Risk Finance & Policy (PSA-3)

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. The mission of UNU 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, 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' full breadth, 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. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS):

UNU-EHS, established in December 2003, is part of the UNU system, a worldwide network of Research and Training Institutes. Its mission is to advance human security through knowledge-based approaches to reducing vulnerability and environmental risks. For more information, please visit www.ehs.unu.edu.

The Munich Climate Insurance Initiative e.V. (MCII) was initiated as a non-profit organization by representatives of insurers, research institutes and NGOs in April 2005 in response to the growing realization that insurance solutions can play a role in adaptation to climate change, as suggested in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. This initiative is hosted at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). As a leading think tank on climate change and insurance, MCII is focused on developing solutions for the risks posed by climate change for vulnerable people in developing countries. www.climate-insurance.org.

The MCII 'Policy, Governance and Strategies’ team works on the international level (e.g. in the context of the UNFCCC, G7, G20, or the World Bank and IMF), with national governments, as well as with local civil society organizations to promote sound financial management of climate risks. Currently, the team supports the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers (V20) on their financial protection agenda and their contributions to the Global Shield against Climate Risks. Additionally, the team is advising the Sustainable Insurance Facility Project Office, hosted in UNEP FI PSI. Other projects include the technical advisory to civil society organizations (CSOs) to support the formation of multi-stakeholder partnerships on climate and disaster risk finance and insurance (CDRFI), research on localized impacts of loss and damage, and the elaboration of guidance documents on climate risk management and CDRFI integration in national strategies and policies.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Head of the MCII division, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

1) Support research activities in the MCII Policy, Governance & Strategies Team

• Support the preparation of research material and written inputs, such as academic and non-academic contributions on relevant topics, including climate risk management, climate disaster risk finance and insurance, financial protection against climate risks, loss and damage from climate change, and climate finance.
• Identify new/emerging research questions coming out of different policy debates, incl the V20, UNFCCC, G20, G7.

2) Support ongoing projects of the Policy, Governance & Strategies Team

• Assist in project management by preparing project documentation, project meetings, reporting, supervising external experts, and other tasks.
• Draft memos, policy briefs, blog posts, policy-papers and other written outputs as needed by the projects.
• Actively expand project opportunities based on ongoing engagement.

3) Stakeholder management

• Coordinate outreach to various stakeholders for inputs on the global Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) agenda including the Global Shield against Climate Risk.
• Maintain communication with key MCII stakeholders.

4) Event support

• Prepare the agenda, timelines and required documents to support the successful management of events.
• Manage logistics and provide on-site support during field-missions and conference engagements.
• Represent the organization at relevant expert meetings, and conferences as needed.

5) Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality implementation and delivery of project activities.
• Timely and quality development of relevant research material.
• Quality and level of engagement with partners.
• UNU is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners.

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

1) Education and certification

Advanceduniversity degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, disaster riskmanagement, political science or other relevant academic studies.

2) Required skills and experience

Required:

• Excellentanalytical skills and first experience on relevant topics;
• Aminimum of 1 year of relevant working experience;
• Provenability to structure work processes and successfully deliver project results;
• Backgroundor experience on climate risk management, disaster risk financing, climatechange adaptation; loss and damage; and/or climate risk insurance topics;
• Fast-pacedindividual, initiative seeker with a strong hands-on attitude who bringspractical thinking towards achieving results;
• Excellentwriting and communication skills.
• Strongteam player with strong interpersonal skills committed to working in a multi-cultural,multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

Desired:

• Workexperience / knowledge of: UNFCCC-related processes, including loss anddamage; climate vulnerable countries / ministries;
• Experiencein project management and stakeholder interaction;
• Demonstratedcritical thinker with a strong interest to provide social innovation in theframe of MCII’s mission;
• Track-recordof demonstrated abilities in public speech, including clear and effectivecommunication and presentation skills;
• Existingprofessional networks consisting of contacts to academic partners, disasterrisk management organizations, relevant development actors and/or UNorganizations.
• Thisposition requires the candidate to travel as needed by the project work-plan;

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official working language, especially French and Spanish, is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under an national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

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.

This post is open to applicants from all countries and UNU will aid the successful applicant in securing a work visa for Germany, as necessary.
It is, however, a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station will be Bonn, Germany.

Starting date: As soon as possible

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• 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);
  
• provide a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• 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; and

• Apply via the apply link.

Application Deadline: 18 March 2024


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.

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