Academic Officer – Head of Climate Risk Analytics (FTAP3)

United Nations University; Bonn; Vor Ort; EUR 100.000 - 125.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An international research organization in Bonn is seeking a skilled leader to manage the Climate Risk Analytics team. The successful candidate will develop research strategies, oversee project implementation, and collaborate with various stakeholders. A PhD and at least 5 years of relevant experience are required, along with proficiency in quantitative methods. This role offers a competitive tax-exempt compensation package including various benefits.

Leistungen

30 days annual leave

Pension plan

Health insurance

Qualifikationen

• At least 5 years of experience in climate risk analytics or similar.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and manage projects.
• Excellent understanding of modelling approaches.

Aufgaben

• Manage the team on climate risk analytics.
• Lead research and knowledge management in the field.
• Develop funding proposals for new projects.
• Contribute to academic programs and supervise students.
• Cultivate partnerships with various stakeholders.

Kenntnisse

Leadership and management

Climate risk analytics

Project management

Quantitative methods

Communication skills

Ausbildung

PhD in environmental engineering, economics or geography

Tools

Matlab

Python

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

About 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 information, visit UNU's site.

About Institute (UNU-EHS): The United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) was established in 2003 in Bonn, Germany. It conducts research on advancing human security and well-being by addressing risks from environmental hazards and climate change, focusing on risk & adaptation and transformation. UNU-EHS offers master’s education and hosts international PhD projects and capacity-development courses on environmental risks and sustainable development. Further information: UNU-EHS site.

The Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) is hosted at UNU-EHS and is a research-to-policy and practice innovation lab focused on resilience and risk management, including climate risk insurance, in collaboration with other approaches.

Climate Risk Analytics: The Risk analytics team comprises MCII projects that use quantitative methods to inform climate risk decisions, with goals to support adaptation and risk management, define a smart mix of climate response options, and advance climate risk modelling and open data approaches such as CLIMADA.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the guidance of the Chief Climate Risk Strategist, the successful candidate will undertake the following tasks:

1. Manage the Team on Climate Risk Analytics
   • Manage the overall budget and financial resources with integrity and ensure effective utilization for research and policy objectives in line with UNU regulations.
   • Provide leadership, mentorship and oversight to a large team of UNU experts, fostering a high-performing, collaborative environment conducive to rigorous research, method development, and scientific growth.
   • Oversee the strategic implementation of the climate risk analytics research agenda, leading strategic engagement and interdisciplinary cooperation with other divisions and partners to enhance UNU’s scientific profile.
   • Enable fruitful collaborations with other thematic divisions and integrate its work across the institute.
2. Lead Research and Knowledge Management in Climate Risk Analytics
   • Develop and steer the strategic research agenda for climate risk analytics at UNU-EHS, driving research enquiry and enhancing the Institute's scientific profile.
   • Lead and drive the development, application, and promotion of advanced quantitative methods, modelling techniques, and tools (including AI, machine learning, hazard/risk models, ecosystem service models) to advance research and foster interdisciplinary use.
   • Lead and contribute to the publication of research findings in high-impact journals and other relevant outlets, enhancing UNU-EHS’s scientific profile.
   • Promote open-data and open-source climate risk approaches and contribute to evolving global modelling frameworks like CLIMADA.
   • Represent UNU-EHS in relevant international research consortia and groups.
   • Scope and facilitate discussions to potentially constitute a Competence Centre on Risk Analytics within UNU-EHS.
   • Lead and develop new collaborative research initiatives on participatory modelling with UNU Macau and other institutes.
3. Lead Resource Mobilization
   • Lead the development of compelling proposals and secure funding for new projects, focusing on applications in climate-vulnerable countries, innovative methods development and interdisciplinary cooperation.
4. Contribute to Education and Training
   • Contribute to UNU-EHS's academic programmes, including lecturing on climate risk analytics and supervising MSc and PhD candidates, fostering the next generation of researchers.
   • Support staff capacity development and promote knowledge sharing across the institute to enhance scientific output and methodological expertise.
5. Create Policy Impact and Foster Partnerships
   • Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with UNU institutes, UN agencies, research institutions, government bodies, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders.
   • Engage in knowledge exchange to enhance policy relevance and practice impact of UNU-EHS’ work and foster interdisciplinary cooperation.
   • Promote open-source climate risk approaches in partnerships, including the contributions of UNU-EHS to MCII.
6. Perform Other Duties as Assigned by the Supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality development of output related to modelling and quantitative efforts at UNU-EHS.
• Timely and quality delivery on operational goals, including personnel performance and production of quality knowledge, research and policy outputs.
• High engagement with project implementation partners and UNU-EHS being seen as a reliable partner by partners, governments, donors, and civil society.

Competencies

Values :

• Inclusion – action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all individuals across differences.
• Integrity – ethical conduct and adherence to UN standards; prompt action in case of unethical behaviour.
• Humility – self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity – aligns with the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and a healthy planet.

Behaviours :

• Connect and collaborate – build positive relationships to advance UN work and coherence.
• Analyse and plan – use data to understand problems and inform decisions.
• Deliver results with positive impact – accountability for outcomes.
• Learn and develop – pursue and contribute to learning.
• Adapt and innovate – show flexibility and novelty in actions.

Education and Certifications

• PhD in environmental engineering, economics, geography with experience in remote sensing, climate adaptation and/or hazard modelling.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in risk analytics, climate change adaptation or similar.
• Excellent understanding of the international research and stakeholder landscape in climate risk analytics.
• Proven ability to lead large teams; strong project and financial management skills.
• Good understanding of modelling approaches with proficient command of Matlab and/or Python.
• Ability to explain complex processes to non-experts.
• Initiative to expand into new applications of quantitative climate risk analysis and insurance.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Desired Qualifications :

• Track record of scientific publications in academic journals.
• Understanding/experience in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
• Previous experience with CLIMADA is an asset;
• Extensive project management experience coordinating with diverse actors.
• Track record of securing funding and designing methodologies in development cooperation.
• Work experience in developing countries is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English required; German and other UN official languages are assets.

Remuneration

UNU offers a competitive tax-exempt compensation package including an annual net salary, 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance. More information: UNU careers page.

Duration of Contract

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. Initial contract is one year with potential renewal; for academic positions, total fixed-term duration may not exceed six years. Starting date: Immediate.

How to Apply

Apply via the official link, complete the UNU P11 Form, provide a motivation statement, and answer position-specific questions. Refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

28 October 2025 — Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET.

Assessment

Evaluation may include an assessment exercise, competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special Notice

Staff are international civil servants under the Rector’s authority and may be assigned to any UNU activity. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from developing countries, women, and persons living with disabilities. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with UN/UNU aims and objectives.

If you supervise, awareness of gender-related issues is required.

Information about UNU Rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates and may retain applications for other similar positions.

Scam Warning

UNU does not charge fees for applications or recruitment. Be cautious of scams; protect personal information when applying online.