Project Associate, Multi-Actor Partnership on Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Preparedness (MAPs)

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, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission 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, United Nations University (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, 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.

About 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*.*

Responsibilities

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

1. Contribute to project management

• Assist in managing the MCII MAPs project (Multi-Actor Partnership on Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Preparedness);
• Ensure the timely delivery of project outputs, and actively contribute to project resource planning, monitoring, and execution;
• Act as MCII focal point on the project and manage the communication and interaction with project partners and the donor to ensure a successful implementation of the project;
• Support in writing the next phase of the MAP project (including feasibility study and project proposal);
• Supervise external consultants in delivering MAP outputs;

2. Contribute to project strategic development

• Support regional partners in their engagement with relevant actors, activities InsuResilience Global Partnership in coordination with other MCII projects; and other activities pertaining to the conceptualization of project relevant activities as needed;
• Strategically engage with key stakeholders within and outside the project’s immediate framework to ensure professional and efficient communication and collaboration to further the project’s objectives and to support MCII’s agenda of strengthening the disaster risk management – resilience nexus and in support of relevant topics especially in the context of G7 summit 2022
• Actively expand project opportunities based on ongoing engagement;

3. Prepare and participate in field missions to support the implementation of the project

• Manage logistics and provide on-site support during field-missions
• Contribute to preparation of field missions and implementation of the project.
• Represent the organization at relevant expert meetings, and conferences as needed.

4. Contribute to and support research:

• Support the preparation of other research material and written inputs, such as academic and non-academic papers on climate risk insurance and other relevant topics in climate and disaster finance.
• Coordinate and support the preparation of relevant research material together with MAPs partners and other MCII projects, including the preparation of a comprehensive climate and disaster risk financing and insurance toolkit.

5. 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 MAPs 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 economics, public sector financing, development economics, disaster risk management, or other relevant social sciences.

Experience

Required:

• Proficient understanding of the nexus between climate adaptation, disaster risk management, and humanitarian intervention;
• A minimum of 1 year of relevant working experience;
• Experience in project management and stakeholder interaction.
• Conceptual understanding of systematic multi-actor partnership approach.
• Proven ability to structure work processes and successfully deliver project results.
• Background or experience on climate risk management, disaster risk financing, climate change adaptation and/or climate risk insurance topics.
• 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).
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Desired:

• Background and experience with InsuResilience, global process, UNFCCC-related processes, particularly the work of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage.
• 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 needed by the project work-plan.
• Existing professional networks consisting of contacts to academic partners, disaster risk management organizations, relevant development actors and/or UN organizations.
• Experience working for or with non-governmental organizations, especially in the Philippines or in the Caribbean region.

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.

Expected start date: As soon as possible