UNESCO recrute un National Professional Officer

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-May-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Overview of the functions of the post

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences (ADG/SC) the functional authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office in  Dakar, and the direct supervision of the chief of section and/or in coordination with the Programme Specialists of Natural Sciences in  Dakar Office, the incumbent will assist in contributing the design, coordination and implementation of activities carried out under the Major Programme II – Natural Sciences in Africa Regional office in view of supporting the Member State in its effort to implement its National Development Plan (NDP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.

Long Description

In particular, the incumbent is responsible for providing professional and technical support, research and analysis, with an emphasis on the national context to develop, implement and evaluate programme initiatives to promote learning and sustainable societies and support the Member State to advance science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges and build back better after the pandemic towards the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

The incumbent shall work as part of the Interdisciplinary team in the UNESCO Office in  Dakar, collaborating with relevant stakeholders and with technical guidance from SC Programme Divisions at UNESCO Headquarters. and the Natural Sciences Programme Specialists at the Multisectoral Regional Offices in Africa.

Assist with 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 the region within the framework of Major Programme II and in line with the Natural Sciences Sector’s strategies and priorities, to promote learning and sustainable societies, and support the Member State to advance 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.

Assist in facilitating the coordination and oversight of program and project development, implementation, and evaluation in Natural Sciences, covering Ecological and Earth Sciences, the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Policy and Capacity building.

Long Description

• Take part in the UNESCO  Dakar office’s interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts, including the formulation of concept notes and project development for extra-budgetary funding through participation in intersectoral programmes and activities in the areas of environment, biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk reduction, science education, education for sustainable development, world natural heritage and world heritage biodiversity programmes and local and indigenous knowledge.
• Support and participate in UNESCO’s involvement in joint programming exercises with the framework of the UN Reform, such as Common Country Assessments (CCAs) Country Programme Documents (CPD), Country actions Plans (CAP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF).
• Provide technical advice and support to the national institutions and other stakeholders in charge of sciences, technology and innovation for policy and research action-oriented activities on new emerging national and global trends in sciences and contribute to the development of pertinent strategy papers technical notes, frameworks and scientific documents, articles that contribute to the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.
• Help in maintaining strategic partnerships with other UN Agencies, in particular, UNEP, FAO, UNDP, UNIDO, and Multilateral and Bilateral Development partners in collaboration with colleagues from Headquarters and Field Offices, category I and Category II Centers and Institutes in Natural Sciences to foster opportunities for joint programming activities related to Natural Sciences, within the implementation of the common UN Country Programmes in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Frameworks (UNSDCF).
• Identify and contribute to the formulation of the Office resource mobilisation strategy and its biennial implementation plans in particular, develop in collaboration with other Programme Officers interdisciplinary concepts and project proposals aimed at consolidating and complementing the regular budget-funded programme activities in Natural Sciences and formulate the required resource mobilisation and alternative funding mechanisms, partnerships strategies and plans to that end.
• Work with the SC Team in preparing and submitting quarterly/yearly work plans of regular budget programmes and extrabudgetary projects as per approved project documents, establish corresponding budgets, monitor the budgetary and financial status of the projects and decentralised budgets and ensure financial accountability. Ensure the appropriate implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Natural Sciences Programme is decentralised to the Office and provide timely quarterly/yearly reports.

Additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the work team.

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)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Required qualifications

Education

Master’s degree in Natural Sciences (Environmental, Hydrology etc.)

Work experience

Minimum 4 years of prof. experience (Environmental/Water Resources), at least 2 years at regional or international level

Coordination and programme management

Skills/competencies

• Excellent drafting and management skills
• Ability to negociate and build partnerships
• Teamwork in multicultural environment
• Communication with various stakeholders and through various channels (e.g. web and social media)
• Good IT skills

Languages

Excellent knowledge of French and good knowledge of English

Desirable qualifications

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent degree in natural sciences (environmental / water science).

Work experience

• Experience with UN agencies, governmental bodies and/or professional NGOs and/or international technical organizations.
• Experience in promoting regional cooperation
• Knowledge of the geopolitical context of the Region.

Skills and competencies

• Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment
• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s work and programmes in the area of Natural Sciences

Languages

Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish);

Selection and recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.