Bonn, Germany
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Project Assistant
(Personnel Service Agreement – PSA)
Organizational Unit
:
United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human
Security (UNU-EHS)
Reference Number
:
2016/UNU/EHS/PSA/PA/23
Applications to
:
hrbonn@vie.unu.edu
Closing Date
:
30 April 2016
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 http://unu.edu.
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 Environmental Migration, Social Vulnerability & Adaptation Section - (EMSVA):
The EMSVA section of the UNU-EHS undertakes pioneering research on how society manages climate
stressors such as floods, drought, storms, sea level rise, and climatic shifts. The section works with
governments, the private sector, and civil society to identify and design innovative climate risk
management solutions to build resilience. Specific themes of adaptation-related research include 1)
human mobility, 2) livelihood resilience including loss and damage, and legal dimensions of global
environmental change, and 3) climate risk insurance.
For more information, please visit http://ehs.unu.edu/about/sections/emsva#overview
Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII):
The MCII was initiated by Munich Re 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 Framework Convention
and the Kyoto Protocol. This initiative is hosted at the United Nations University Institute for
Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and is formed by insurers, climate change and adaptation
experts, NGOs, and policy researcher’s intent on finding solutions to the risks posed by climate change.
MCII provides a forum and gathering place for insurance-related expertise applied to climate change
issues. At the 2015 Summit in Elmau, the G7 announced a Climate Risk Insurance Initiative
(”InsuResilience”) to help improve the resilience of poor people to climate stressors. Under the overall
guidance of the German Federal Ministry for Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and in
cooperation with the German Development Bank (KfW) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), MCII contributes to the G7 CRII by facilitating dialogue among stakeholder
groups, exploring barriers, and assessing the needs of different country groupings and stakeholders visa-vis the G7 CRII. MCII activities include private sector engagement as well as capacity building on
resilience, insurance and risk reduction. MCII will draw on its wide network of experts to help
complement the design of the G7 CRII with regards to providing technical advice and expert insight.
For more information visit: www.climate-insurance.org
Responsibilities:
Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and guidance of the Head of the Environmental
Migration, Social Vulnerability & Adaptation (EMSVA) section, as well as the Executive Director of MCII
and the MCII initiative coordinator, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following tasks
related to the work of MCII, including but not limited to the G7 InsuResilience Project:
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Support the MCII coordinator and the project lead in all aspects of the research implementation for
the G7 InsuResilience Project, up to and including: literature review and desk study, supporting the
preparation of advisory material for InsuResilience, supporting preparation and implementation of
fieldwork and data collection in particular on topics such as resilience, as well as related issues
including loss and damage, adaptation, climate risk management, disaster risk reduction, and risk
transfer;
Support the Section Head and MCII Executive Director, and elaboration of the conceptual
framework of the project;
Support the completion of reports and studies related to the creation of a climate risk knowledge
platform, a pro-poor focus study, and an M&E framework for InsuResilience by doing desk-top
research, assisting in conducting expert interviews and supporting the overall writing process;
Support the organization of stakeholder workshops and production of workshop reports;
Support the MCII Policy team before and during international conferences, including the
organization of side events and exhibits for international policy making processes and others, with
the preparation of submissions and other tasks as required;
Assist with managing the MCII website;
Further develop research profile in climate risk insurance and social resilience through relevant
reports, journal publications, book chapters, policy briefs, social media, press and additional public
visibility;
Support the EMSVA Section Head and/or MCII Executive Director as necessary to write project
proposals, develop research programs, and write scientific articles.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
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Completed Master’s degree with high academic standing in Social Sciences, Geography, Economics,
Environmental Science, or other relevant field with an emphasis on Disaster Risk Management,
Adaptation to Climate Change, Resilience; with a minimum of one year of working experience
related to climate impacts, adaptation and environmental policy;
Experience in climate policy process and institutions at national and international levels, climate
policy and climate practice;
Experience in workshop organization and workshop report writing;
Excellent research, writing and analytical skills;
Proven track record in policy relevant advise on climate change issues;
Excellent communication and writing skills with fluency in spoken and written English and German;
Strong ability to carry out work independently and in an international team;
Proven background and strong skills in participating in projects in multicultural settings, preferably
related to climate change impacts, resilience, and climate policy;
Knowledge in networking and collaborative projects and research;
Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office, etc.).
Remuneration:
Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Duration of Contract:
The successful candidate shall work under a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) for a fixed period of
twelve (12) months with the possibility of renewal. The combined duration of appointments under a PSA
shall not exceed six (6) years.
This is a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The successful candidate will be
employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor is he/she a “staff
member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.
Starting Date:
As soon as possible (preferably 01 June 2016)
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to hrbonn@vie.unu.edu), and must
include the following:
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a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the
position;
a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable
from the UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations
organizations;
an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2016/UNU/EHS/PSA/ PA/23)
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any
capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United
Nations - Chapter 3, article 8)