Project Assistant (PSA-2)

United Nations University (UNU)

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.

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.

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. Support the Climate Risk Analytics (CRA) team in their daily duties, e.g.:
• Conduct desk research on project-relevant issues;
• Assist the team in the production of GIS products;
• Organize and document team meetings effectively;
• Support the drafting of graphics, maps, reports, and scientific publications.

2. Contribute to Outreach Strategy Implementation:
• Participate in the development of new research proposals to enhance project outreach;
• Draft and revise publications, reports, brochures, etc., ensuring clarity and alignment with outreach objectives.

3. Assist in the preparation of side events and workshops:
• Assist in the preparation of online and abroad side events and workshops;
• Communicate with participants before and after events (online and in person);
• Draft agendas, organize catering, facilitate note taking and provide translation support if required;
• Support social media postings for the team's activities, and coordinate with the UNU-EHS comms team.

4. Support any other duties as may be assigned or required in the CRA project team and by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

• UNU-EHS/MCII and the team CRA are seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society;
• Timely and quality delivery of inputs for the respective projects;
• High quality and level of engagement with project implementation.

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 in Geography, Development Economics, Sustainability Studies, Risk Management, Insurance, or a related field with a background in insurance and/or climate adaptation;

2) Required skills and experience

Required Qualifications:

• Experience (preferably 1 year) in the area of Climate Change Adaptation, Geography, Environmental Science, Climate Risk Management, International Cooperation or similar;

• Initiative seeker with an interest to professionally expanding into new ways of applying and disseminating quantitative climate risk analysis;
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of spatial analysis tools and/or languages (e.g. ArcGIS, R, Matlab, Python) is an asset;

• Previous working experience with the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) and CLIMADA is an asset;

• Experience in working with local communities, cooperative in developing countries is an asset;

• Experience with valuation of assets, damage functions or adaptation measures in data scare environments is an asset;

• A good understanding and/or experience in technical and organizational disaster risk reduction and -management and climate change adaptation is an asset;

• Knowledge of data visualization tools such as Canva, Tableau or PowerBI is an asset;

• Experience in project management in coordinating with a broad range of actors is an asset.

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset;
• Basic knowledge of German 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.

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

18 October 2024

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

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They 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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