UNESCO – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization seeks to build peace and to promote the general welfare of humanity through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences, Culture, and Communications.
UNESCO Constitution was signed in London on 16 November 1945 by 37 countries, and came into force with its 20th ratification on 4 November 1946. The Organization defined its mission as: “to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.”
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More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following responsibilities:
Long Description
- Provide professional and technical support in the identification, design, planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and activities in the field of natural sciences in Southern Africa. This includes aligning with Major Programme II and the Natural Sciences Sector’s strategies and priorities to promote learning and sustainable societies, and support the countries in advancing science, technology, innovation, research, and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges.
- Participate in Regular Programme (C/5) work plans, policy formulation discussions, and other sector-related strategy formulation activities.
- Coordinate and monitor the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes and projects in natural sciences. This includes a particular emphasis on the protection of environment, biodiversity, hydrological security and water resources management, disaster risk reduction, citizen science and local/indigenous knowledge, and science technology and innovation covering Water Security, Open Science, Basic Sciences, Research Innovation and Engineering, Earth Sciences, and Biodiversity.
- Participate and provide technical support to UNESCO’s involvement in joint programming exercises within the framework of the United Nations (UN) Reform, such as Common Country Assessments (CCAs), UNSDCFs or Cooperation Framework (CF), Joint Annual Work Plans and Reports, Voluntary National Reports (VNRs), UN and UNESCO’s Declarations and Resolutions, and National Reports on the UN and UNESCO Conventions such as but not limited to the Wetlands Convention, Water Convention, and Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Cooperate to support UNESCO work in the UN’s regional coordination platforms such as the Opportunities and Issues-Based Coalitions (O/IBCs), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)-UNESCO Joint Programme of Actions (JPA).
Competencies (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the relevant field of hydrology, earth sciences or a related field of natural sciences.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 4 (four) years of relevant work experience in coordination, result-based management, implementation, and monitoring of programmes in hydrological or other areas of natural sciences such as science, technology and innovation, and/or other related fields.
- Relevant experience in advocacy, resource mobilisation, and partnership development.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Strong analytical skills including collecting, consolidating and interpreting data from various sources, results-based writing, and communication.
- Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, and administrative organizing with a strong result focus.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and be accountable.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy, and ability to maintain professionalism in all situations.
- Excellent communication skills and high-level abilities to build strategic partnerships and collaborate with a wide range of partners, including national and local authorities, academia, relevant United Nations (UN) Organizations, financing institutions and partners, expert bodies and networks, and civil society.
- Ability to take initiative and work in a multicultural team with respect and tact for diversity.
- Demonstrated skills in knowledge management and continuous self-improvement, and innovation.
- Proficiency in IT skills of MS Office programmes (i.e. Word, Excel, Office, etc.).
