Team Lead Global Shield Secretariat (CTC)

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.

UNU-VIE is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

UNU-VIE is Co-hosting the Secretariat of the G7-V20 Global Shield against Climate Risks (GS). The initiative aims to increase protection for vulnerable people by providing and facilitating substantially more and better pre-arranged finance against disasters.

The Global Shield Secretariat serves as the coordinating entity for the Global Shield, It provides the technical support for the implementation of the Global Shield solutions aligned to the objectives. The Secretariat coordinates amongst stakeholders, guides the fundraising and replenishment of Global Shield funds, drives the strategic development of the initiative, and engages with relevant global climate policy processes, especially on climate and disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI). The GS Secretariat is co-hosted in two organizations, led by a UNU-hosted Co-Director on Strategy and Engagement and a GIZ-hosted Co-Director on Institutional Development and Implementation.

Responsibilities

A Team Lead will be recruited who supports the Co-Director for Strategy and Engagement of the GS Secretariat. The Team Lead will generally report to both Co-Directors and closely collaborate with the Team Lead on Implementation and Analytics to ensure alignment across both teams. The Team Lead will supervise activities related to strategy, country engagement, fundraising and the management and coordination of the Global Shield Board. Additional tasks include supporting of the Co-Director in the financial management, personnel planning of the project budget and personal planning with recruitment as required.

1.Leadership

• Support the Co-Director Strategy and Engagement in staff recruitment and in the allocation of work assignments together with the GIZ hosted Co-Director and Team Lead
• Supervise and mentor the team members of the Strategy and Outreach as well as Communications and Events Team
• Supervise the regional coordinators for the Global Shield In-Country-Processes and ensure strong integration into and collaboration with the team members of the Implementation and Analytics Team
• Ensure and conduct an active exchange between different Secretariat Teams (1. Admin / Operations 2. Strategy and Outreach 3. Implementation Support 4. Communication & Events Planning)
• Support the Management of Financial Resources

2.Strategy

• Support both Co-Directors with the strategic development of the Global Shield and of the GS Secretariat
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather insights, perspectives, and expertise to inform the development and refinement of Global Shield's strategic priorities and approaches.
• Facilitate strategic planning sessions and workshops to engage key stakeholders in the co-creation of strategies and initiatives that address priority areas and maximize impact of the initiative
• Monitor global developments in climate resilience and disaster risk finance, and assess their implications for Global Shield's strategic direction
• Regularly review and update Global Shield's strategic framework and plans to ensure relevance, responsiveness, and alignment with evolving needs and priorities.

3. Engagement

• Lead and supervise the organization of the Global Shield Board meetings
• Supervise the engagement with Global Shield Stakeholders, especially with UN organization, the Vulnerable 20 Countries and Civil Society Organisations
• Support the set up of “Global Shield Country Communities” (identifying relevant country stakeholders for building momentum for further CDRFI development & implementation of solutions)

4. Donor Relations and Fundraising

• Support the Co-Director’s outreach to donors and potential funders. this will involve regular communication, outreach, and collaboration to drive the development and advancement of GS partners
• Develop a fundraising plan and facilitate a constant dialogue with potential donors
• Conceptualize and implement a donor event with the aim to replenish the Global Shield Financing Vehicles and the Global Shield Secretariat

5. Oversight of Communications and Events

• Provide strategic guidance and direction for all communications activities relating the Global Shield, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Oversee the development and implementation of communication strategies, plans, and campaigns, ensuring they are effectively targeted, integrated, and executed.
• Review and approve communication materials, including press releases, speeches, reports, and digital content, to uphold quality standards and consistency in messaging and branding.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Performance of teammembers leads to a successful operationalization of the Global Shield
• Timely and qualitydelivery on strategy development, fundraising, communications
• Timely and quality ofstrategic planning sessions and updates
• Quality and level ofengagement with Global Shield Stakeholders, Climate Vulnerable Communitiesand Donors.
• UNU is seen as areliable 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

Completed Master'sdegree or equivalent in International Relations / Economics / EnvironmentalScience / Business Administration or other relevant social sciences

2) Required skills and experience

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in climate finance policy preferably in an international setting
• Experience in leading international teams
• Knowledge of climate policy developments and relevant stakeholders
• Experience in strategic development, country engagement, donor relations and fundraising

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in French is an asset
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Duration

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

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 CTC holders.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and based on a daily rate to be submitted as part of the application procedure. 

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Travel considerations

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).

Expected start date: As soon as possible

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
• Apply via the apply link

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 17 March 2024

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

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. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.

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.

Scam warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.