Associate Project Manager, Policy Support V20 Group of Finance Ministers (PSA4)

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 visit www.ehs.unu.edu.

MCII was initiated as a non-profit organization by representatives of insurers, research institutes and NGOs in April 2005 in response to the growing realization 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. This initiative is hosted at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). As a leading think tank on climate change and insurance, MCII is focused on developing solutions for the risks posed by climate change for vulnerable people in developing countries. www.climate-insurance.org.

The Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group of Ministers of Finance of the Climate Vulnerable Forum is a dedicated cooperation initiative of economies systemically vulnerable to climate change. The V20 works through dialogue and action to tackle global climate change. www.v-20.org/

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the MCII Head of Section, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:

1. Project management

• Ensure the timely delivery of project outputs, and actively contribute to project resource planning, monitoring, and execution.
• Engage in preparation of contracts and supervise external experts and consultants.
• Be responsible for project reporting towards project donors, UNU and MCII as requested; provide regular project updates to MCII Team and MCII Head of Section. Project reporting will take place both in English and German.
• Act as focal point on the project and lead communication with project partners.
• Actively expand project opportunities based on current engagement.

2. Policy Support – Financial Protection Agenda

• Provide overall support to the V20 Secretariat in preparing for ministerial meetings and working groups relevant for the financial protection agenda.
• Prepare the agenda, timelines and required documents to support the successful management of events including reaching out to various stakeholders for inputs on the global Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) agenda and the Global Shield against Climate Risk.
• Draft memos, policy briefers, blog posts, policy-paper and other written outputs as needed by the project.
• Organize capacity building workshops on topics relevant to financial protection.
• Coordinate with staff of the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility.
• Maintain close co-ordination with partners and V20 stakeholders.

3. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality implementation and delivery of project activities.
• Timely and quality development of relevant research material.
• Quality and level of engagement with V20 partners.
• UNU is 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:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, political science, economics or other relevant social sciences.

Experience:

Required:

• A minimum of 1 year of relevant working experience.
• Experience in facilitating international policy processes, including diplomatic protocol.
• Proficient understanding of the climate and disaster finance and insurance agenda.
• Good analytical skills, fast and structured writing skills.
• Experience in project management including relevant project management tools.
• Proven ability to structure work processes and successfully deliver project results.
• Initiative seeker with a strong hands-on attitude who brings practical thinking towards achieving results, and demonstrates the ability to further expand project opportunities (incl. interaction with partners and funding institutions).

Desired:

• Background and experience with global policy processes (UN, Worldbank), InsuResilience Global Partnership; experience in liaising with decision-makers.
• Demonstrated critical thinker with a strong interest to provide social innovation in the frame of MCII’s mission.
• Track-record of demonstrated abilities in public speech, including clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
• Strong team player with strong interpersonal skills committed to working in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• This position requires the candidate to travel as by the project work-plan.
• Existing professional networks consisting of contacts to academic partners, disaster risk finance organizations, relevant development actors and/or UN organizations.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and German (in written and spoken form) 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 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.

Starting date: As soon as possible