National Professional Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 3UYSC1001RP

Grade : NO-C

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Montevideo

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Fixed Term Field

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 19-APR-2024

 

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

Only nationals of Uruguay can apply for this post

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences’ Sector (ADG/SC), the functional authority and direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Office in Montevideo, the incumbent will be responsible for designing, coordinating and implementing activities in the fields covered by the UNESCO Medium Term Strategy (C/4) and the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) under the Major Programme II - Natural Sciences, in the countries served by the UNESCO Montevideo Office (Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay), specifically in the domains of the Divisions of Ecological and Earth Sciences, and Science Policy and Capacity Building.

 

H/she will be responsible for programme and project work, advice, research and knowledge management, networking, partnerships and financial resource mobilisation, in close coordination with the Senior Programme Specialist(s) in Natural Sciences in the office and other offices in the region. S/he will contribute to internationally agreed goals such as those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as national targets in their development plans, while also contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) of the countries served by the UNESCO Montevideo Office.

 

The incumbent shall work as part of the interdisciplinary team in the UNESCO Office in Montevideo, collaborating with relevant stakeholders and receiving technical guidance from Natural Sciences Programme Divisions at UNESCO Headquarters.

 

In particular, the incumbent will:

Long Description

• Coordinate and oversee programme and project development, implementation, and evaluation in the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO in the countries served by the Montevideo Office, covering Ecological and Earth Sciences, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Capacity building, and Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS), in close cooperation with the Regional Programme Specialist for the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP).
• Participate in Regular Programme (C/5) work plans, policy formulation discussions, and other sector-related strategy formulation activities.
• Contribute to the UNESCO Montevideo 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 science and technology policy, basic sciences, environment, biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk reduction, science education, education for sustainable development, local and indigenous knowledge systems, as well as areas related to world heritage, artificial intelligence, science journalism, among others.
• Participate in UNESCO's involvement in joint programming exercises within the framework of the UN Reform, such as Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF), in the countries served by the UNESCO Montevideo Office.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with other UN Agencies and Multilateral and Bilateral Development partners in collaboration with colleagues from UNESCO Headquarters, Field Offices, and Category I and Category II Centres and Institutes in Natural Sciences to foster opportunities for joint programming activities related to the Natural Sciences Sector.
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the Office's resource mobilisation strategy, identify and liaise with funding partners.
• Prepare and submit work plans, establish budgets, monitor the budgetary and financial status of the projects, and ensure financial accountability.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Professionalism (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the relevant fields of the natural sciences related disciplines (Environment, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences, Science Policy).

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 4 (four) years of relevant professional experience in the fields of natural sciences, such as Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, Environment, or Water Resources.
• Proven experience in coordination and programme management, designing and implementing programmes/projects, in fields related to the Natural Sciences programmes, and demonstrated expertise in science, technology and innovation policy.

 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent analytical, organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside of the Organization, including the public.
• Knowledge of financial resources mobilisation mechanisms.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and to function within a multicultural environment.
• Proficiency in IT skills including knowledge of office software.

 

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in disciplines related to the functions of the position.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience within government or the private sector in the field of natural sciences or science and technology policy.
• Experience with UNESCO Natural Sciences Programmes such as the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), The Open Forum for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean (Foro CILAC), the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, the Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) Programme, or the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP).
• Experience with specialized agencies of the United Nations system, professional/international NGOs and/or organizations for international technical cooperation.
• Experience in promoting regional cooperation.
• Experience in fundraising.
• Knowledge of the geopolitical context of the countries served by the Office. 

 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment.
• Ability to work in close partnership with a wide range of national, regional, and international scientific organizations, professional organization
• Good knowledge of UNESCO's work and programmes, particularly in the area of natural sciences

 

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.
• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 109 820 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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