Associate Academic Officer – Risk Recovery Governance (PSA-6)

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

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.  

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-EHS 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:

The CASTOR project: Castor is Latin for beaver. Beavers, like humans, transform land and water systems in river landscapes. CASTOR investigates realistic future landscape configurations under climate change, and pathways towards these futures. Pathways towards future landscapes are relevant because current well-intended management actions result in patchworks of interventions. Yet, fragmentation – spatial, temporal and in governance – constrains adaptive capacity, restricting responses to climate change and shifting societal demands. CASTOR’s main objective is to enable the transformation to, or safeguarding of, the outstanding quality of sandy soil landscapes. By offering actionable knowledge on future landscapes and pathways towards these, CASTOR supports regional adaptation strategies.

The project “Financial Institutions and Climate-Resilient Recovery Pathways” funded by AXA Research and Swiss Re examines how financial systems, insurance mechanisms, and multilevel governance arrangements shape post-disaster recovery. Using a recovery pathways perspective, the project analyses how different combinations of public finance, insurance, and informal coping mechanisms influence who pays for recovery, when and through which instruments, and with what distributional consequences across actors and governance levels. Particular attention is given to the role and design of insurance within broader recovery financing systems, and to how financial mechanisms can support “recover better” pathways that enhance long-term resilience rather than simply restoring pre-disaster conditions.

The candidate will lead activities in the context of the above two projects outlined above.

The position contributes to UNU-EHS’s broader engagement in international science–policy processes, coordinated through existing institutional arrangements.

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 with be entrusted with the following tasks:

1.      Research Leadership and Scientific Inquiry

·       Lead the assessment of systemic risks associated with extreme weather events and analyze disaster recovery processes, with a focus on "Build Back Better" (BBB) principles;

·       Apply relevant theoretical frameworks in risk and recovery governance;

·       Analyse key enablers and barriers in disaster recovery, paying close attention to the distribution of losses, financial mechanisms, and the role of insurance;

·       Analyze how multi-level governance arrangements on financial and insurance mechanisms and their impact on disaster recovery outcomes;

·       Co-create disaster recovery pathways in collaboration with stakeholders, including integrating innovative insurance models and adaptive financing approaches to enhance regional resilience;

·       Identify and synthesize lessons learned from case studies for comparative analysis and broader application;

·       Contribute technical and analytical inputs, as appropriate, to international science-policy processes and related global and regional assessments in line with UNU-EHS priorities and coordination arrangements;

·       Lead in preparing and writing scientific outputs, including policy briefs and peer-reviewed publications, and provide input into the IPCC AR7 process;

·       Present research findings at scientific and policy-oriented events and conferences;

·       Ensure that research activities are implemented in line with relevant ethical, institutional and regulatory requirements.

2.       Project Management and Reporting

·       Coordinate with donors, project partners and other stakeholders to support timely and effective implementation of project activities;

·       Lead annual project reports, and other project-related outputs in coordination with supervisors and partners;

·       Support the review and verification of project outputs and reports with relevant stakeholders and donors;

·       Maintain accurate project documentation and support internal monitoring and reporting processes.

3.       Capacity Building and Education

·       Support the identification of capacity-strengthening needs among relevant stakeholders assist in the design and delivery of related activities, including webinars and training sessions;

·       Contribute to teaching and education activities including at UNU-EHS and Wageningen University, including the supervision of students’ Master theses.

·      Lead and contribute to the writing and (co-)authoring of scientific publications, research papers and other knowledge products relevant to UNU-EHS’ thematic priorities

4.       Strategic Contribution and Partnerships/Fundraising and networking activities 

·       Support engagement with UN agencies, research institutions and other partners on matters related to risk and recovery governance.

·       Contribute to and provide substantive input for the preparation and drafting of funding proposals and background materials for third-party funding opportunities, particularly related to risk and recovery governance, in alignment with the mission and vision of UNU-EHS.

·       Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and professional networks with key stakeholders, including academia, research institutions, public and private sector actors, NGOs, community-based organisations, think tanks, and UN organizations;

·       Assist in strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange with internal and external partners to advance programme and research objectives.

5.     Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

·       Quality development of innovative research contributions aligned with project objectives.

·       Timely and quality development and delivery of assigned project outputs and reporting requirements.

·       Effective and professional engagement with project partners and implementation stakeholders.

·       Preparation and dissemination of scientifically sound policy-relevant outputs to disaster risk governance.

·       Successful identification of funding opportunities and contribution to high-quality grant proposals for resource mobilization.

·       Effective mentoring of junior researchers and high-quality supervision of MSc students toward successful thesis completion.

·       UNU-EHS 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

Ph.D. in Risk Governance, Disaster Risk Management, Climate Adaptation or another closely relevant field

Required Qualifications:  

 ·       Minimum one (1) year of directly relevant experience

·       Knowledge of governance and pathways approaches in the context of climate change, preferable in an international setting;

·       Demonstrated research experience in disaster risk governance, including contributions to publications;

·       Experience drafting analytical reports, policy briefs, and presentations for academic, research or policy audiences;

·       Experience supporting project implementation and coordination, preferably in an international and multi-cultural environment; experience writing proposals for third-party funding;

·       Experience teaching at the MSc and PhD-level, including the student supervision of MSc and PhD-theses, preferably in an intercultural setting is required;

·     Other Desirable Skills are: at least three (3) years of progressively responsible post-doctoral experience after completion of the PhD in the field of disaster risk management, including focus on recovery pathways; experience with participatory research; strong conceptual and methodological skills; experience engaging with international assessment or science–policy processes (e.g. IPCC, UNFCCC, UNDRR); knowledge of UN processes related to adaptation and loss and damage; international work experience;  professional networks in one or more of the study locations (Germany, Nigeria, Netherlands, Brazil); experience working in Germany is an asset, particularly for research in the Ahr Valley region.

Language Requirements:

 ·       Fluency in English is required

·       Knowledge of German and another UN official working language is an asset.

·     Knowledge of any local language in the project countries (Nigeria, Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany) 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 (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 for more information.

• apply via the apply link.

Application Deadline: 12 May 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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