United Nations University Objectives:
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and 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 more information, please visit https://unu.edu.
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (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 https://ehs.unu.edu/.
Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) was initiated as a charitable organisation 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 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 low-income and vulnerable people in developing countries. For more information, please visit http://www.climate-insurance.org/.
The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP) aims to improve the financial preparedness and resilience of Pacific Islanders to climate change and natural hazards through the development and implementation of market-based meso- and microinsurance schemes. This multi-year programme beginning in Fiji and Vanuatu, after which the programme will rolled out to Tonga, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. PICAP launched on 2 December 2020 and is jointly implemented by UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and UNU-EHS through MCII. The Climate Risk Insurance Research Collaboration (CRIRC) is an MCII-managed research collaboration established by UNU-EHS, MCII, the University of the South Pacific (USP), the University of the West Indies (UWI), and the United Nations Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) to facilitate inter-regional South-South learning and research related to socio-economic and regulatory needs and demands for disaster risk finance in small islands countries.
Responsibilities:
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the guidance of the MCII Executive Director, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks:
MCII Research and Implementation Excellence
· Support leadership of the MCII Executive Director by:
o Developing and overseeing partnerships with implementing agencies, donors, and academic institutions;
o Managing staff supporting research and implementation activities, as needed;
o Ensuring the quality of MCII publications;
o Representing UNU-EHS and MCII at high level meetings, conferences, and other events;
o Carrying out other activities as needed to ensure excellence in MCII implementation and policy work;
o Participating in UNU-EHS processes on behalf of MCII section;
o Engaging in strategic planning and execution.
· Provide thought leadership and strategic orientation on issues related to:
o The role of evidence in climate and disaster risk finance and insurance (CDRFI);
o The impact of CDRFI on people’s well-being and resilience; and
o Innovations in CDRFI to increase impact.
· Teach a portion of the joint UNU-EHS MSc programme on the Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security, and supervise PhD and MSc theses on relevant topics as required.
· Publish in scientific journals and author complementary policy briefs targeted at decision makers.
Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme
· Ensure quality control of PICAP project deliverables and provide technical and project management guidance to the implementation team;
· Lead the research, assessment, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and disaster risk financing strategy components of the PICAP project and coordinate this work with project partners;
· Develop necessary research, assessment, and M&E terms of reference and contracts as needed to support PICAP and other MCII implementation projects;
· Assist in the quality control of papers, reports, and other deliverables associated with PICAP, and support the coordination and supervision of deliverables by partners and sub-contractors;
· Create and manage a cross-cutting research portfolio on risk, resilience, and the evidence for disaster risk finance in support of PICAP, MCII’s broader activities, and the mission of UNU-EHS;
· Prepare and participate in field missions, including workshops in target countries;
· Manage the CRIRC research collaboration, including the acquisition of research funding, the development and implementation of research activities, and the management of collaboration and sub-granting relationships with CRIRC partners;
· Support the implementation team in the development of project proposals and contribute to funding acquisition with the aim to further activities in the projects’ current target regions and/or to drive innovation and upscaling at the global level.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
· A PhD degree in economics, development, finance, or other field related to disaster risk finance in vulnerable and developing countries.
· A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in successful project management in the context of the disaster risk finance science-policy interface and in coordinating with a broad range of actors is required.
· Experience working at the intersection of research, implementation, and policy-making.
· Peer-reviewed publication record in resilience, disaster risk reduction and management, disaster risk finance, and/or climate change adaptation.
· Record of publications aimed at non-academic audiences, including institutional reports, policy briefs, blog posts, etc., that communicate rigorous concepts and evidence to non-technical implementation and policy actors and decision-maker audiences.
· Experience in proposal development, partner negotiations, and working with funding institutions.
· Previous experience teaching at the MSc-level.
· Fieldwork experience in different developing country contexts.
· Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills with a fluency in spoken and written English.
· Track-record of professional representation at international fora with a specific focus on presenting research results to inter-disciplinary audiences.
· Strong team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
· Experience in gender mainstreaming or the implementation of gender policies and practices.
· Demonstrated experience in the use of Stata, Matlab, and other quantitative software.
· This position entails a high degree of travel.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
· Additional languages, especially UN languages, are an asset.
· Existing professional networks consisting of contacts to academic partners, private insurers, government officials (e.g. insurance supervisors, disaster risk management authorities and related), relevant development actors and/or UN organisations would be preferred.
· Knowledge of the Pacific Islands context is preferred.
· Experience managing research collaborations would be an asset.
· Experience leading teams or managing staff is preferred.
Remuneration:
We offer a competitive net salary (tax exempted) at P-2 level and allowances including post adjustment. Post adjustment is subject to change.
The post carries the standard set of United Nations benefits and entitlements for international positions in the UN Common Systems, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant, removal expenses and home leave. For more information, please visit https://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html
UNU Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than advertised.
Duration of Contract:
This is a full time fixed-term appointment and an internationally recruited post. The initial appointment will be for a period of one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a rolling fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance. The combined duration of fixed-term appointments shall not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.
Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University.
Starting Date:
As soon as possible.
How to apply:
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to hrbonn@vie.unu.edu), and must upload the following:
· A cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position.
· A completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations.
· An up-to-date CV.
· An indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement 2021/UNU/EHS/FTA/AAO/PICAP/00040542.