Associate Academic Officer – AI, Remote Sensing and Disaster Modelling P2

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

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 visitwww.ehs.unu.edu.

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 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 innovative AI and programming
• Lead the AI and programming (including disaster modelling and remote sensing) engagements relevant to the Climate Risk Analytics team, UNU-EHS and MCII;
• Coordinate modeling efforts (including AI, CLIMADA, Remote Sensing etc…) for the climate risk analytics team;
• Coordinate the modellers’ team and other project management tasks;
• Ensure quality control of project deliverables as well as provide technical guidance;
• Coordinate efforts with ICT Division and other relevant IT stakeholders;
• 2) Coordinate risk modeling operations
• Coordinate (with the climate risk analytics team) the calibration of CLIMADA and the ECA framework as required by several projects;
• Coordinate the modelling team for data inputs in python/Matlab in the CLIMADA modelling platform
• 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 AI, disaster modelling, remote sensing, programming 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 PhD and 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 modelling and programing 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
• Analyze 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

Education and certification

• PhD in Remote sensing, Physics, Earth observation, Economics, and environmental engineering with a background in remote sensing, climate adaptation and/or hazard modelling;

Experience

Required Qualifications:

• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible post-doctoral experience in the area of remote sensing, atmospheric physics, modelling and programming, in the context of risk analytics, climate change adaptation or similar;
• Strong modelling skills with excellent command of Matlab and Python;
• Strong skills in deep, machine and reinforcement learning;
• Excellent command of remote sensing and/or Google Earth Engine and statistical methods;
• 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:

• Proven track record of scientific publications in academic journals;
• A good understanding and/or experience in technical and organizational disaster risk reduction and -management and climate change adaptation;
• Knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau or PowerBI is an asset;
• Previous experience working with CLIMADA is an asset;
• Experience in project management in coordinating with a broad range of actors is an asset
• 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.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required
• 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 extension subject to satisfactory work performance, budget availability, and institutional requirements, 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