United Nations University (UNU)
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
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-EH 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: .
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:
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the direct supervision of the Chief Climate Risk Strategist and Head of the MCII Division, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
1. Project Support and Management: Multi-Actor Partnerships (MAPs) for Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance
· Support the day-to-day coordination of the Multi-Actor and Multi-Stakeholder Partnership on Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Preparedness (MAPs);
· Assist with stakeholder engagement activities related to disaster risk finance and insurance (CDRFI), by supporting communications and facilitating information exchange with civil society and local stakeholders in the Caribbean;
· Support project implementation during the new funding phase by tracking inputs and activities related to MCII’s work packages and maintaining internal progress records for the Caribbean portfolio;
· Monitor project timelines and deliverables by updating tracking tools, compiling inputs from team members, and supporting the preparation of donor reports;
· Support resource planning and execution by maintaining project documentation, tracking expenditures against budgets, and updating monitoring tools;
· Assist in the preparation of narrative reports and coordinate with the programme support team to support timely financial disbursement linked to project milestones;
· Support capacity building activities for the MAPs consortium by preparing background materials, drafting presentations on CDRFI mechanisms, and assisting with the logistical organization of workshops and meetings;
· Provide logistical and coordination support to the design and implementation of pilot products, including organizing meetings, preparing documentation and facilitating information flow between partners and the MCII Solutions team;
Serve as a support focal point for logistical and administrative queries from partners during the introduction and testing of CDRFI mechanisms in the Caribbean region.
2. Relevant Evidence Generation and Knowledge Transfer on CDRFI
· Support the preparation of written material for academic and non-academic papers on climate risk insurance, blog articles on CDRFI in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and other topics relevant to MCII’s engagement in multi-actor partnerships;
· Assist MAP’s partners and MCII colleagues in drafting, editing, formatting and coordinating inputs for scientific and non-scientific publications;
· Support the co-organization of conferences and workshops on CDRFI evidence, working jointly with partners by coordinating logistics, documentation and content;
Assist in scanning and compiling information on relevant funding opportunities, research calls and project grants to support MCII’s work ongoing work.
3. Collaboration with International Processes
· Support the engagement with the Global Shield Secretariat by assisting with background research, meeting preparation, documentation in the context of the GS in-country process, including supporting GS-CSO focal points;
· Assist with the coordination and communication with MAPs partners external NGOs and networks relevant to Global Shield activities;
· Support collaborations with the V20 Secretariat on CDRFI and Loss & Damage priorities and coordination of activities that bridge civil society networks with V20 processes;
Assist in documenting stakeholder feedback to expand the MAPs project based on ongoing engagement.
4. Transferring Learnings and Policy Engagement
· Support the organization of side events (e.g., during UNFCCC related SBs, COP, World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings) by assisting with logistics, coordination and preparation of materials related to MAPs and CDRFI topics;
· Assist MCII personnel in preparing briefing notes, presentations and talking points for meetings, conferences and other events.
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 partners especially CSO’s and local partners in the Caribbean;
· 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.
1) Education and certification
Master's degree or equivalent in economics, governance, disaster risk management, political science or other relevant academic studies..
2) Required/essential qualifications and experience
· At least 1 year of relevant work experience in disaster risk finance, climate risk management, or loss and damage, preferably within an international setting;
· Experience within the Caribbean region is required, with a specific focus on maintaining active networks with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local stakeholders;
· Demonstrated ability to prepare written materials and support project coordination;
· Strong interest in stakeholder engagement, with willingness to develop networks in the CDRFI space;
· The candidate must be a fast-paced initiative seeker with a hands-on attitude towards facilitating information flow between remote partners and internal teams;
· Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for working in a multi-cultural environment.
Desired qualifications and experience
· In-depth knowledge of relevant international policy processes, including Loss and Damage within the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Global Shield In-Country Process (ICP), is highly desirable;
· The candidate should have experience coordinating the work of research assistants or junior team members;
· Experience in identifying funding opportunities, including scanning for relevant calls and assisting in grant applications, is an asset;
· The candidate should demonstrate a track record of effective public speaking and presentation skills for international conferences, side events, and expert meetings;
· Demonstrated critical thinking skills are desired to provide social innovation within the framework of the organization's mission;
· The position requires the flexibility to travel internationally as needed by the project work-plan.
3) 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
The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed 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
Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.
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
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
* apply via the apply link.
Application Deadline: 31 March 2026.
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
PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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