Job description
About UN University (UNU)
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organisation headquartered in Japan. The mission of the UN University is to contribute, through collaborative research and education, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems of human survival, development, and welfare that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples, and Member States. For more information, please visit https://unu.edu/.
The Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) is to carry out cutting-edge research on risks and adaptation related to environmental hazards and global change. The institute’s research promotes policies and programmes to reduce these risks, while taking into account the interplay between environmental and societal factors. For more information, please visit https://ehs.unu.edu/.
Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII):
MCII was initiated as a non-profit think tank organization by representatives of insurers, research institutes and NGOs in April 2005 in response to the growing realisation 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. MCII is hosted at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). As a leading think tank on climate change adaptation and insurance, MCII is focused on developing solutions for risks posed by climate change for vulnerable people in developing countries. For more information, please visit http://www.climate-insurance.org/.
MCII is implementing the Climate Risk Adaptation and Insurance in the Caribbean (CRAIC) project to develop an innovative weather insurance solution (a parametric microinsurance product) to help protect the livelihoods of low-income and vulnerable communities in five pilot countries: Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. The project establishes a link between the solution and disaster risk reduction (DRR). The project is supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (BMUV). For more information, please visit the CRAIC Project website.
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Vice-Rector / Director of UNU-EHS and the guidance of the MCII Solutions and Practice Partnerships Team Lead, the appointee will be entrusted with the following tasks:
1. Project management & operational implementation support
- Assist with implementing planned activities of the CRAIC Project. This includes supporting the monitoring of the annual work plan and implementation progress as well as the coordination and supervision of deliverables by partners and subcontractors.
- Help engage and maintain a direct dialogue with internal and external stakeholders and support the coordination of project activities with project partners and sub-contractors to ensure that all stakeholders are delivering expected outputs according to the project plan.
- Co-develop knowledge products and training materials to support the capacity building of insurance regulators, local primary insurers, clients in the target countries, and disaster risk financing authorities.
- Support the development of project proposals and contribute to funding acquisition to scale up current activities in the Caribbean and at the global level.
2. Research support
- Support the execution of research activities in CRAIC pilot countries and its link with other projects, including in the Pacific.
- Conduct literature reviews and reference searches on the use of climate risk insurance for low-income populations as well as on the use of market-based instruments to address climate risks and human right implications.
- Organizing project and MCII field visits and preparing travel plans, meeting arrangements, agendas, and reports.
3. Outreach and publication
- Support implementing the outreach strategy of the project, including organizing side events and presentations at national and international events, workshops and consultation meetings with key stakeholders (partners, donors, beneficiaries, etc.) and prepare concept notes, agendas, and reports.
- Facilitate and moderate online and office events, such as conferences, workshops, seminars, and meetings.
- Drafting publication material for the CRAIC project and MCII, including result studies, website articles, factsheets, brochures, etc., and assisting in the quality control of papers, reports, and other deliverables associated with the projects.
- Assist with managing audio and video publications, including pod-cast production and short videos on the CRAIC Project and MCII’s works in general.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Key performance indicators
- Timely and quality delivery of project management tasks, incl. reporting, and the coordination of deliverables for the CRAIC Project.
- Timely and quality support of planned and updated activities of the CRAIC Project.
- 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
Qualifications
Education and certification
- Master’s degree or equivalent training in Insurance, Finance, (Development) Economics, Risk Management, Climate and Disaster Risk Management, or any related field.
Experience
Required:
- At least one year of working experience required, ideally in the context of climate adaptation and disaster risk financing and insurance;
- Technical understanding of insurance products and operations and knowledge of index-insurance approaches;
- Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills;
- Strong team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender equality;
- Critical thinker with a strong interest in providing social innovation in the frame of MCII’s mission;
- Ability to travel.
Desired:
- Fieldwork experience in different developing country contexts;
- Experience working in the Caribbean, especially in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago are considered an asset;
- A good understanding and/or experience in technical and organizational disaster risk reduction and management, shock-responsive social protection, and climate change adaptation.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
- Fluency in Spanish is an asset.
- Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.
Remuneration
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.
Duration of contract
This is a full-time employment on a twelve (12) months Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding 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.
Expected start 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; and
- apply via the apply link.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Application Deadline: 18 May 2023
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
PSA holders do no hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.
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 organization. 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.
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.
Scam warning
UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
