OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station: Apia
Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]
Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]
Job Family: Natural Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Level : Level 4
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 22/05/2024
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Only Samoan Nationals or individuals with the legal right to live and work in Samoa are eligible to apply
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office in Apia, and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences, UNESCO Suva, the incumbent will assist in contributing to the implementation, monitoring and reporting on activities carried out under the Major Programme II - Natural Sciences in the Pacific region, as well as in view of supporting the Member States in their efforts to implement the National Development Plan (NDP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF), contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, post-SAMOA pathway and 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, with focus on Samoa.
The Incumbent shall, in particular:
- Assist in providing with professional and technical support, research and analysis for the implementation of international, regional and national agendas and plans in line with UNESCO Natural Sciences programme priorities to advance science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges, and in the interest of Samoa.
- Work as part of the interdisciplinary UNESCO Pacific team, under the technical guidance from Natural Science Programme Specialist in UNESCO Suva, and in close collaboration with the Natural Sciences Programme units at the Headquarters.
- Contribute in strengthening collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders, such as the UN system, National Commissions and relevant Ministries and partners in Member States, as well as CROP agencies in Samoa.
- Participate in Regular Programme (C/5) work plans, policy formulation discussions, and other sector-related strategy formulation activities.
Long Description
TASKS:
TASK 1: Assist in facilitating the coordination and oversight of program and project development, implementation, and evaluation in Natural Sciences, covering Ecological and Earth Sciences, the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), climate change and disaster risk reduction, LINKS, as well as STI and STEM with focus on Samoaโs needs and priorities.
TASK 2: Take part in the UNESCO Apia 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 and in line with the SIDS Operational Startegy.
TASK 3: Support and participate in UNESCO's involvement in joint meetings, programming exercises as well as results groups and fundraising the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) with focus on Samoa. This includes active contribution to the Climate Change acceleration for Samoa initiative, spearhead by UNDP and UNESCO.
Long Description
TASK 4: 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, with focus on Samoa.
TASK 5: Contribute in maintaining strategic partnerships with other UNESCO field offices, UN Agencies, in particular, UNEP, FAO, UNDP, donors, as well as category I and Category II Centres and Institutes in Natural Sciences to foster opportunities for joint programming activities related to Natural Sciences, with focus on Samoa needs and priorities.
Long Description
TASK 6: Work in close coordination with UNESCO Suva, in ensuring the implementation of the regular budget programme and ongoing and new extrabudgetary projects and proposals, with focus on Samoa -establish corresponding budgets, monitor the budgetary and financial status of the projects and decentralised budgets and ensure financial accountability.
TASK 7: Contribute to visibility and communication of the work of Natural Sciences programme in Samoa and the Pacific, through social media and available web platforms, as per UNESCO rules and regulations.
TASK 8: Provide with any other support as requested by the Director of the office.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
โข First university degree (Bachelorโs or equivalent) in the field of Natural Sciences related disciplines (Environmental, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Engineering and Science Policy)
WORK EXPERIENCE
โข Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in the field of sciences such as Environmental/Water Resources and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
โข Proven experience in science coordination and/or programme management, designing and implementing programmes/projects, and demonstrating expertise in area of Natural Sciences.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
โข Good programme and project management skills
โข Good analytical skills. Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
โข Good IT skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment, excellent interpersonal skills.
โข Ability to build, maintain and enhance working relations with national/local authorities as well as key stakeholders in the civil society, such as national and international NGOs in the cluster countries and the region.
โข Ability to draft papers, strategic documents and publications.
โข Good communication and IT skills and excellent knowledge (Written and Oral) of English language
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS