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.

United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU‑EHS)

UNU‑EHS was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. The institute conducts research 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 research, UNU‑EHS offers master’s level education, hosts international PhD projects, and provides capacity‑development courses on global environmental risks and sustainable development.

**Key projects**

• CASTOR – Investigates realistic future landscape configurations under climate change and pathways toward these futures.
• Financial Institutions and Climate‑Resilient Recovery Pathways – Examines how financial systems, insurance mechanisms, and multilevel governance arrangements shape post‑disaster recovery.
• Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) – A research‑to‑policy and practice innovation lab that supports and influences policy making processes to enhance resilience and protect livelihoods.

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” (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.
• Analyse how multi‑level governance arrangements on financial and insurance mechanisms impact disaster recovery outcomes.
• Co‑create disaster recovery pathways in collaboration with stakeholders, including integrating innovative insurance models and adaptive financing approaches.
• Identify and synthesize lessons learned from case studies for comparative analysis and broader application.
• Contribute technical and analytical inputs to international science‑policy processes and related global and regional assessments.
• 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 at UNU‑EHS and partner institutions, 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.
• 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 organisations.
• Assist in strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange with internal and external partners to advance programme and research objectives.

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.
• Positive perception of UNU‑EHS as a reliable and trustworthy partner by research partners, governments, donors, and civil society.

Competencies

• Values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility, Humanity.
• Behaviours: Connect and Collaborate, Analyse and Plan, Deliver Results with Positive Impact, Learn and Develop, Adapt and Innovate.

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, preferably 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 supervising MSc and PhD theses, preferably in an intercultural setting.

Desirable Skills

• 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 and professional networks in 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 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 initial contract is 1 year. It is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract 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 a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station is Bonn, Germany.

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. Applications from developing countries and women are strongly encouraged.