Associate Project Officer

Overview

Support the organization and delivery of the World Islands Summit for sustainable development.

You have:

• University degree (Master’s) in international development, ocean governance or law, ocean science, or a related field.
• Preferably 2 years of relevant work experience, including internships, and ideally in international organizations in relevant domains including ocean governance, law or management.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues and challenges facing Island states, including SIDS, in relation to sustainable ocean management and planning.
• Strong writing, editing, and synthesis skills including experience in development of knowledge products and policy briefs.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Team player with strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills and experience working in multicultural environments.
• Knowledge of design tools such as Canva.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language (French or Spanish is an asset).

Contract

This is a P-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 1 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 69,877 USD and 96,571 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Post Number : IOC/PA 039 Grade : P-1 Parent Sector : Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Duty Station: Paris Job Family: Programme Coordination Type of contract : Project Appointment Duration of contract : 1 year Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20-SEP-2025 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism ***Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.*** **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development has a strong focus on ensuring the under-represented groups have the skills and capacity to engage in and lead initiatives to co-design and use ocean science and knowledge for sustainable development. The Ocean Decade has a specific focus on the needs of stakeholders in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. As part of this work, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) is partnering with The Nippon Foundation to convene the World Islands Summit in May/June 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. IOC-UNESCO is responsible for strategic and programme coordination for the Summit, including programme development, stakeholder engagement, communications, and reporting. Associate Project Officer will support the Summit organising team and the broader Ocean Decade and IOC-UNESCO teams in the preparation and delivery of the World Islands Summit and will contribute to the implementation of Summit outcomes as part of the broader Ocean Decade vision. Long Description ---------------- Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist IOC/MPR and in close collaboration with in the Decade Coordination Unit of IOC-UNESCO, the Associate Project Officer will undertake the following tasks: 1\. Support to Organisation of World Islands Summit: \- Programme and Content Development: research and prepare Summit concept notes and briefings, upport the drafting and refinement of the overall Summit programme, session outlines / key messages, speaker briefs, and background documents, contribute to the preparation and editing of Summit documentation and communications materials (including talking points, participant guides, social media assets, press releases, etc.) -Programme Committee Coordination: support the establishment and operation of the Committee (i.e. coordination of evaluation of nominations, and coordination of invitation letters). -Communications and Visibility: Assist in the development of content for the Summit communcations in line with the Summit communications plan. -Monitoring and Reporting: Support coordination of the drafting of the Summit outcomes statement and final Summit report and assist with documenting lessons learned and compiling outputs for evaluation purposes Long Description ---------------- 2\. Support to Implementation of Summit Outcomes: -Input to development of action plans, roadmaps and strategies to integrate implementation of Summit outcomes into broader Ocean Decade initiatives. -Support to the operation and function of key Ocean Decade stakeholder groups including the Ocean Decade Alliance, Decade Advisory Board and Foundations Dialogue as a means of galvanising support for implementation of Summit outcomes. -Support to integration of Summit outcomes with other key initiatives such as the implementation of the Ocean Decade Action Plan arising from the mid-term evaluation, the preparatory process for the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference and the development of the Gender Action Plan, ILK Framework and youth engagement strategies. -Support development of relevant knowledge products and policy briefs for sharing in regional and international fora. The incumbent will be supervised by the Programme Specialist of IOC/MPR and will work in close collaboration with staff from the Decade Coordination Unit and IOC/UNESCO. The incumbent will produce diverse documents and products to meet the tasks identified above. Work planning will take place on a monthly basis with the supervisor to identify priority deliverables. The assignment will be for 12 months. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Communication (C) Professionalism (C) Accountability (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **Education**: - University degree (Master’s) in international development, ocean governance or law, ocean science, or a related field. **Experience**: - Preferably 2 years of relevant work experience, including internships, and ideally in international organizations in relevant domains including ocean governance, law or management and with experience in issues facing Island States including SIDS - Demonstrated experience in supporting the organization and coordination of high-level meetings and conferences including those involving UN agencies and high level Government participation **Skills and Competencies:** - Demonstrated understanding of issues and challenges facing Island states, including SIDS, in relation to sustainable ocean management and planning - Strong writing, editing, and synthesis skills including experience in development of knowledge products and policy briefs. - Excellent understanding of the UN system and the work of IOC and the Ocean Decade - Excellent organizational and coordination skills. - Ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. - Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Team player with strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills and experience working in multicultural environments. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS ------------------------ **Skills and Competencies** - Knowledge of design tools such as Canva **Languages** - Working knowledge of another UN official language (French or Spanish is an asset) **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 87 654 US $. For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our [Guide to Staff Benefits.](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/unesco-staff-compensation-booklet_en.pdf) **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.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) 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 an 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. **Footer** ---------- *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](https://www.unesco.org/en/geo-distribution)) 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.* Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

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