Project Officer (Natural Sciences)

Overview

Coordinate and manage projects focused on groundwater governance.

You have:

• Minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the application of hydrogeology to international development projects.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in hydrogeology/engineering applied to hydrogeology and/or other related disciplines.
• Good knowledge of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System and/or water-related issues and cooperation scenarios in South-East Europe.
• Proven experience in the management of multinational interdisciplinary projects focused on integrated national and transboundary water resource management strategies.
• Excellent knowledge of English.
• Experience in working for or with other national and/or international development cooperation agencies.
• Knowledge of other national languages spoken in the targeted Member States.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with and in multicultural teams.
• Advanced IT skills in word processing, spreadsheets, visual presentation tools, video-conference platforms.
• Demonstrated familiarity with transboundary waters issues and national priorities in the Balkan region.

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 98,985 USD and 129,613 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 : 2BASC 0001PA Grade : P-3 Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Sarajevo Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Project Appointment Duration of contract : 1 year Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 04-NOV-2024 **UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism** **Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance** **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- Under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (UNESCO Regional Bureau), the direct supervision of the Head of the Sarajevo Antenna of the UNESCO Regional Bureau, and in close coordination with the Head and Programme Specialist of Science Unit, as well in cooperation UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), the incumbent will support the coordination and management of the project “DIKTAS II – Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) of the Dinaric Karts Aquifer System: Improving Groundwater Governance and Sustainability of Related Ecosystems”. The objective of the project is to implement the main steps outlined in the “Global Framework for Action” for setting the basis of sound groundwater governance in the Dinaric Karst region. This approach and vision perfectly adhere to the conclusions reached by the countries in South-East Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia) sharing the DIKTAS as enshrined in the Strategic Action Programme for the DIKTAS prepared by the relevant countries and recently endorsed at ministerial level. The Project’s objective is to catalyse effective multi-country cooperation for the sustainable management of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System and its ecological resources by strengthening national and regional groundwater governance frameworks and institutional capacities. The expected outputs of project are the following: 1. Facilitating multi-country cooperation. 2. Institutional strengthening for improved groundwater governance. 3. Monitoring Karst waters and dependent ecosystems. 4. Focus on areas of transboundary influence and of special concerns. 5. Awareness raising and gender mainstreaming. Within this framework, the incumbent shall: Long Description ---------------- **Coordination** - Establish and maintain close coordination with the national authorities’ offices and national and regional consultants for the implementation of the project’s activities. - Coordinate and provide support for the recruitment and selection of project personnel (consultants and sub-contractors), including drafting Terms of Reference (ToRs), overseeing all the contractors’ work, and ensuring compliance. - Coordinate and oversee preparation of the substantive and operational project reports, ensuring timeliness and alignment with the project’s plan and budget. - Draft, review and finalise progress reports related to the project’s implementation. - Liaise with the project’s Finance Officer and Communication Officer. - Provide support to the Project’s Steering Committee (PSC) by preparing documentation for its meetings and ensuring accurate reporting. - Assist implementing partners in engaging with stakeholders and the targeted beneficiaries as applicable. - Assist in liaising with the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) counterparts as applicable and appropriate. Long Description ---------------- **Project Management** - Provide support to partners and take responsibility to implement project activities as assigned by supervisors. - Draft Calls for Proposals and TORs for contracts for review by regular supervisors and closely follow contracting processes to ensure compliance with relevant administrative rules for procurement, monitor contracts progress and liaise with contractors. - Ensure compliance with the project monitoring and reporting obligations, review project documents and support the finalisation and submission of related documents. - Support the preparation and management of project’s meetings and events, managing logistics, facilitating discussions, and ensuring follow-up actions. - Contribute to activity planning and monitor progress against the approved workplan. - Supervise and coordinate the timely production of high-quality project outputs. - Oversee the work of all project staff ensuring timing and quality of outputs. - Prepare, revise and submit project work and financial plans as required by Project Board and UNDP. - Monitor financial resources and ensure the accuracy of quarterly financial reports with UNESCO’s administrative staff. - Manage and update the project risk log, submitting new risks to the Project Board when necessary. - Report progress of project to PSC and ensure the fulfilment of PSC directives. - Encourage staff, partners and consultants on the promotion of the inclusion of women and young experts ensuring gender considerations are integrated into all aspects of the project, from activity design to hiring and outreach. - Provide top-quality technical advisory services, including facilitation of capacity and knowledge building, where the technical responsibilities include oversight across all the project’s components. - Ensure consistency between project activities and those provided or funded by non-beneficiary countries participating to the project and other donors. - Provide technical oversight to subcontractors and facilitate training activities. - Ensure the timely submission of required reports, including the Inception Report, Project Implementation Report, technical reports, and financial reports. - Facilitate the exchange of experiences and lessons learned with relevant community based integrated conservation and development projects, both nationally and internationally. Long Description ---------------- **Communication** - Facilitate effective communication among partners and stakeholders. - Cooperate with the respective implementing partners to ensure the project’s visibility, in line with the communication and dissemination plan. - Prepare content for public information products, including news items, social media posts, infographics, audio-visual and outreach materials. - Prepare briefings, presentations, speeches and talking points. - Represent the project in national and international conferences, workshops or other events related as delegated by the supervisor. **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](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- ***Education*** - Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in hydrogeology/engineering applied to hydrogeology and/or other related disciplines. ***Work Experience*** - Minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the application of hydrogeology to international development projects, - Proven experience in the management of multinational interdisciplinary projects focused on integrated national and transboundary water resource management strategies. ***Skills and Competencies*** - Good knowledge of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System and/or water-related issues and cooperation scenarios in South-East Europe, especially in the targeted countries. - Leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects. - Proven ability to effectively manage diverse technical and administrative teams, and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, build long-term partnerships with collaborating agencies. - Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff and all groups involved in the project. - Ability to coordinate and supervise multiple Project Implementation Units in their implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of subnational stakeholder groups, including community and government. - Demonstrated familiarity in GEF International Waters and specifically in the Balkan region. - Demonstrated familiarity with transboundary waters issues and national priorities in the Balkan region. - Demonstrated familiarity with priority issues in the Dinaric Karst system in the region, including water sector, environmental sector, national and regional institutional structures and future development plans. - Demonstrated familiarity with modern integrated approaches to groundwater and related ecosystems, including application of European Union: The Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) and its Groundwater (Daughter) Directive to national priorities. - Familiarity with institutional, economic, technical, and social mechanisms for improving water resources management, capacity building and curriculum development approaches for multiple levels of stakeholders. - Mechanisms for incentive-based pollution abatement and enforcement; social marketing and stakeholder education approaches for specific stakeholder groups across sectors and countries, including gender mainstreaming. - Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills with the ability to work under tight deadlines. - Advanced IT skills in word processing, spreadsheets, visual presentation tools, video-conference platforms. - Demonstrated experience in developing communication strategies, tools and contents in relevant contexts. - Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with and in multicultural teams. - Cultural sensitivity, integrity, negotiation skills. ***Language*** - Excellent knowledge of English. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- ***Work Experience*** - Experience in working for or with other national and/or international development cooperation agencies. - Experience/participation in implementation of the Global Environment Fund (GEF)-funded projects. ***Skills and Competencies*** - Good knowledge of UNESCO’s mandate, programmes (with special focus on natural sciences) and its operational processes. ***Languages*** - Knowledge of other national languages spoken in the targeted Member States. - Knowledge of another official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish). **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 64 121 US $. For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our [Guide to Staff Benefits](https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2024/02/Brochure%20staff%20benefits%20-%20HR%20International%20Staff.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 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. **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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