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. 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
About Institute (UNU-EHS)
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
The United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. The institute conducts research work focusing on advancing human security and well-being by addressing present and future risks arising from environmental hazards and climate change. Its main areas of work are risk & adaptation and transformation. In addition to its research work, UNU-EHS offers education opportunities at the master’s level and hosts a number of international PhD projects and capacity-development courses on global issues of environmental risks and sustainable development. More information about UNU-EHS can be found here: .
The Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) is hosted at UNU-EHS and is a research-to-policy and practice innovation lab. MCII aims to support and ultimately influence policy making processes that enhance resilience and protect livelihoods of vulnerable communities, through pioneering risk management and risk transfer solutions (e.g. insurance mechanisms) in combination with other approaches to manage climate related risks. For detailed information, please visit:
Climate Risk Analytics: The Risk analytics teams entails a portfolio of projects by MCII, relying on quantitative methods to better understand and inform on climate risk. The main goals for strategic impact are i) to establish analytics to support decisions in adaptation and risk management, ii) to define the “smart mix” of climate response options, including climate risk insurance and to iii) further operational concepts of improved climate risk management also through academic collaborations.
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS, the guidance of the Head of MCII Division, and the supervision of the Climate Risk Analytics Team lead, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
1) Lead research, outreach and advocacy for data governance and quantification of Loss and Damage (LnD) in the context of climate risk analytics
· Lead and conduct research on LnD in the context of open source quantitative modelling and risk analytics;
· Develop, apply and integrate concepts on inclusive LnD estimation using consultative asset inventories, remote sensing and probabilistic modelling;
· Conduct research on existing gaps in the financial mechanisms in relation with LnD;
· Develop and apply concepts to assess and quantify non-economic LnD in data scare environments;
· Coordinate and validate the application of these concepts in relevant projects;
· Advocate for open data and supporting frameworks for climate risk information, offering strategic guidance to integrate this data into policy development for enhanced climate resilience.
· Promote innovative data partnerships.
· Lead the outreach and networking efforts relevant to the Climate Risk Analytics team, UNU-EHS and MCII;
· Coordinate outreach efforts (including COP, Santiago Network, Global Platform and other relevant international events and platforms) for the climate risk analytics team;
2) Develop a Community of trainers around the Economics of Climate Adaptation framework
· Lead the development of innovative capacity-building concepts for climate risk analytics
· Coordinate the ECA-Network platform to ensure broad dissemination of capacity-building material and online courses for the further development of a community of trainers;
· Coordinate the efforts of the climate risk analytic team with relevant stakeholders within and outside UNU-EHS;
· Ensure the timely preparation and submission of inputs to meet the project’s requirements;
· Ensure data quality and organize data collection as well as storage as required for the different studies
· Coordinate specific project-related activities;
3) Provide substantive support in fundraising and networking activities
· Actively co-develop new project activities for UNU-EHS in the context of climate risk analytics and other relevant topics;
· Coordinate with and effectively support the climate risk analytics team efforts in proposal writing related to climate risk and analytics;
· Establish a network of relevant stakeholders, including private sector actors, public sector decision-makers, NGOs, community-based groups, research institutions as well as UN organisations;
4) Write publications and contribute to teaching activities
· Lead in writing and (co-)authoring of publications and scientific papers;
· Supervise MSc thesis on relevant topics; engage in MSc level teaching as required;
· Represent the organisation at regional climate risk and insurance events, expert meetings and conferences;
5) Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Key performance indicators
· Timely and quality development of inputs related to the climate analytics team effort.
· High quality and level of engagement with project implementation partners.
· UNU-EHS/MCII are seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.
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
Master’s degree or PhD in environmental engineering, physical geography with a background in climate adaptation policy and/or hazard management.
2) Required skills and experience
Required qualifications and experience
· At least two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in research, thinktank or related institutions, some of which preferably in an international setting. More than five (5) years of experience would be an advantage;
· Proven research experience in fields related to climate risk analytics is required;
· Familiarity with the UN and/or other international institutions and mechanisms is required;
· Track record in research and scientific publications;
· Strong project management skills with a broad range of actors;
· Documented experience in financial management;
· Documented ability to lead a small teams of experts;
· Ability to explain complex processes (modelling, data requirement, scenarios etc…) to non-experts audiences;
· Initiative seeker with an interest to professionally expand into new ways of applying and disseminating quantitative climate risk analysis and insurance;
· Excellent presentation and communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
· A PhD in a relevant topic is an asset;
· Previous experience working with CLIMADA/ECA is an asset;
· A good understanding and/or experience in technical and organizational disaster risk reduction and -management and climate change adaptation;
· Experience in proposal writing and design of methodological frameworks in the context of development cooperation and in coordinating with a broad range of actors is an asset;
· Work experience in developing countries is an asset.
3) Language Requirements
· Fluency in English is required.
· Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Remuneration
UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. For more information please see:
Duration of contract
This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.
For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.
Starting Date
As soon as possible.
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
20 February 2025
Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
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.
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