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
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-EH 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: https://unu.edu/ehs.
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: https://ehs.unu.edu/about/departments/the-munich-climate-insurance-initiative-mcii#overview.
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS, the guidance of the Chief Climate Risk Strategist and Head of the MCII Division, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
Research support on CDRFI related themes
· Conduct background research on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) and related thematic areas;
· Produce analytical inputs, briefing notes, and draft written contributions for policy papers, blogs, and other knowledge products;
· Support evidence synthesis and contribute to the development of user-friendly formats for presenting research findings.
2. Stakeholder Coordination and CDRFI policy conferences and events
· Assist in the design, organization, and implementation of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events—including webinars, workshops, consultations, and conference sessions—in the context of climate and disaster risk finance (e.g., the MCII CDRFI expert dialogue and CDRFI evidence community);
· Support logistical coordination, agenda development, speaker liaison, and the preparation of background materials;
· Engage with UN procurement processes, identify relevant vendors and suppliers, and facilitate necessary administrative procedures;
· Provide on-site or remote support during major MCII events (e.g., high-level conferences, Regional Climate Weeks, COPs, or annual meetings);
· Support the organization of digital and in-person consultation sessions, internal coordination meetings, and external exchanges.
3. Support Funding Proposal Development and Donor Relations
· Actively contribute to the development of new research proposals and project ideas through written inputs and the scanning of funding opportunities;
· Support the refinement of donor-facing materials and collaborate closely with project leads for proposal submission.
4. Support Project Management
· Support day-to-day project coordination, including updating work plans, tracking deadlines, reporting inputs, and maintaining documentation;
· Assist in administrative tasks and organizing project resources;
· Provide flexible support to emerging tasks across MCII’s workstreams.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Key Performance Indicators
· Timely and quality delivery of team support regarding travel and event organization;
· Timely and quality delivery of outreach support, including processing of publications, website maintenance, social media outreach;
· UNU-EHS and MCII are seen as reliable and trustworthy partners by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.
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 equivalent in economics and finance, international development or public policy, risk management or geography or a related field is required.
2) Required qualifications and experience
· Strong interest in climate and disaster risk finance and insurance (CDRFI) topics;
· Organizational talent, strong process- / team orientation, personal dedication to contribute to organizational goals;
· Strong team player with strong interpersonal skills and
· Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Desired qualifications and experience
· 1 year of relevant working experience;
· Experience working in an international organization, including awareness of administrative processes especially procurement processes (ideally UN);
· Experience in event management, logistics and administrative tasks;
· Experience in research and funding proposal writing;
· Experience in the private sector (insurance) is a strong asset;
· Experience in using graphic design platforms and visual collaboration platforms;
· Work experience in both developing countries and developed countries.
3) Language Requirements:
· Fluency in English is required;
· Fluency in French or Spanish is desired;
· Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
The successful candidate will be employed under a 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.
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.
Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
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; and
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
apply via the apply link.
Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.
PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and 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.
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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