Associate Academic Officer - Econometrics and Financial Protection Needs (FTA-IP, P2)

On-site
- Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
UNU-EHS / UNU-VIE

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Job description

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 in 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

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: 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.

Climate Risk Analytics: The Risk analytics team 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, knowledge management and dissemination on econometrics modelling for climate adaptation

· Lead and conduct research on the quantitative assessment of the impact of climate change (and adaptation) on people’s basic needs satisfaction with a focus on the Global South;

· Address the gap of knowledge that exists in quantifying basic needs by the development and application of innovation modelling tools based on open source, open data principles;

· Conduct research on the interlinkages between basic needs, food security, L&D and climate finance, to inform policymakers by quantifying future impacts basic needs satisfaction;

· Link quantitative basic needs research with other topics at the institute's other divisions, such as transformation, adaptation and risk reduction;

· Coordinate the validation and application of these methods in relevant projects.

2) Project coordination

· Coordinate and ensure the quality control of project deliverables as well as provide technical guidance;

· Responsible for the project(s) budget and coordination with the finance team including assigned projects;

· Coordinate internal and external experts as requested for the assigned projects;

· Fulfill project reporting requirements as agreed with donors and according to internal regulations;

· Coordinate efforts with the communications Division and other relevant stakeholders;

· Coordinate field work and participate in field missions including workshops;

· Responsible for reporting to donors and internal project administration (e.g. Pelikan);

· Coordinate topic-relevant outreach efforts (including COP, Santiago Network, Global Platform and other relevant international events and platforms) for the climate risk analytics team;

· Coordinate relevant communication and action with other teams and sections at UNU-EHS;

· Lead and coordinate the timely preparation and submission of inputs to meet reporting requirements.

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 and global climate risk 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

Qualifications

1) Education and certification

Master’s degree or PhD in economics, finance, environmental engineering or a related field with a background in climate adaptation and/or hazard management.

2) Required skills and experience

Required Qualifications:

· At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in research and academia in the area of climate change adaptation in the context of risk analytics, climate finance or similar. 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 ability to lead a small team of experts;

· Ability to explain complex processes (modelling, data requirement, scenarios etc.) to non-expert audiences;

· Initiative seeker with an interest to professionally expand into new ways of applying and disseminating quantitative climate risk analysis and climate finance;

· 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 German is an asset

· 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: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL

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

25 March 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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