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

An Engagement Advisor will be recruited who supports the Global Shield Secretariat in its outreach to partner countries and to other relevant stakeholders. This function will focus on advocacy for the Global Shield and its positioning in major agendas dealing with adaptation to climate change. The Engagement Advisor will support awareness raising and positioning of the Global Shield in relevant UNFCCC workstreams. Working closely with respective team members of the GS Secretariat this function aims at highlighting benefits of pre-arranged finance and lifting the profile of the Global Shield to leverage both, demand by vulnerable countries and funding by donors.

1. Support Country Engagement

• Manage the country engagement with climate vulnerable countries
• Facilitate political engagement with GS countries connecting and linking progress of GS ICP implementation to global policy

2. Support Donor Relations and Fundraising

• Identify potential donors for the Global Shield, engage with them on a regular dialogue to leverage financial commitments and strive for regular replenishments, e.g. in a donor forum, together with the Fundraising Advisor of the GS Secretariat
• Support and liaise with High-Level Global Shield Ambassadors to promote the Global Shield

3. Support Strategic Positioning and Policy Advise

• Position the Global Shield in the key political agendas and events (mentioned above) and support the GS Co-Chairs in their preparations for these events together with the respective GS Secretariat Team members
• Support the further development of the GS strategy and the professional positioning of the initiative in the context of international policy agendas, conferences and events
• Support the GS Secretariat Team in the development of the ambition framework, e.g. in the consultation of key stakeholders
• Prepare statements, factsheets, talking points, policy notes, as needed

4. Global Shield Country Communities

• Support the establishment of GS country communities within GS partner countries together with the respective GS Secretariat Team member and in alignment with the GS In-Country Processes

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality development and implementation of Global Shield Country Communities
• Timely and quality delivery on Global Shield Positioning
• Quality and level of engagement with Global Shield Secretariat Partners

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’s degree or equivalent in political science, economics, finance, international relations with a focus on climate or development policy, or other relevant social sciences

2) Required skills and experience

• At least 5 years of years working experience in multilateral institutions, development organizations or the private sector, specifically in the areas of international climate policy, climate adaptation, natural disaster management, or in humanitarian (anticipatory) action
• Knowledge of climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and disaster risk finance
• Working experience in in developing, climate-vulnerable countries, and in dealing with diverse stakeholder groups, high-level experts and representatives of governments, civil society, private sector, and development organisations
• Experience in project management
• Other desirable Skills: Initiative, strong communication and networking skills, strategic thinking structured, self-motivated, resilience, and an interest in development work

3) Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in French or Spanish is considered 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. This contract has an entitlement to paid annual 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); and
• 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;
• apply via the apply link.

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

Application Deadline: 17 June 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.