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

The candidate will lead activities in the context of the following two projects: CASTOR and "Financial Institutions and Climate-Resilient Recovery Pathways". This role supports UNU-EHS’s broader engagement in international science–policy processes, coordinated through existing institutional arrangements.

Responsibilities

Research Leadership and Scientific Inquiry

• Lead the assessment of systemic risks associated with extreme weather events and analyse disaster recovery processes, with a focus on Build Back Better 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.

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.

Capacity Building and Education

• Support the identification of capacity‑strengthening needs among relevant stakeholders and 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.

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.

Other duties

• 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.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Risk Governance, Disaster Risk Management, Climate Adaptation or a closely relevant field.
• 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 Ph.D. level, including the supervision of MSc and Ph.D. theses, preferably in an intercultural setting.
• Desirable: at least three (3) years of progressively responsible post-doctoral experience after completion of the Ph.D. 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.

Contract Duration

The initial contract is for 1 year. This is a 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.

Location and Working Conditions

Duty station: Bonn, Germany. The post is locally recruited. No relocation allowance applies. The successful applicant will receive support in securing a work visa for Germany if necessary.

EEO Statement

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 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 a supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender‑related issues.