PROJECT OFFICER (SB-4 SC9/NOB Min)

Overview

Manage project implementation on reducing vulnerabilities to glacier lake outburst floods in Central Asia.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international development, environment, sustainable management of natural resources, climate change and/or other fields closely related to the position.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementation of projects and programmes in natural sciences related field.
• Experience working in a multi-skilled/multicultural team.
• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written).
• Knowledge of Results Based Management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as ability to set priorities, to ensure compliance to rules and administrative guidelines, to analyse and respond to routine and non-routine issues.
• Good IT skills, including advanced knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Contract

This is a G-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 4 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 1,244 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** ------------ Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC) Duty Station: Almaty Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Non Staff Level : Level 4 Duration of contract : 1 year (with a three-month probation period and possibility of extension) Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-AUG-2024 ***UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism*** ***Only candidates who are entitled to work in Kazakhstan may apply to this position*** **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- The UNESCO Almaty Regional Office is implementing a regional project (hereafter "Project"), funded by the Adaptation Fund, on “Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in the Central Asia region from glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in a changing climate”. The objective of the proposed project is to strengthen adaptation to climate change in Central Asia by reducing societal risks and vulnerabilities associated with GLOFs. The project objective will be achieved by assessing societal risks and vulnerabilities associated with glacier-melting related risks and then addressing these risks and vulnerabilities. The project approach will strengthen the monitoring, analytical and response capacities of institutions and government officials responsible for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), emergencies and UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) through community and gender-sensitive ground-level training and awareness campaigns, and through the establishment of Early Warning Systems (EWS), supported with the necessary state-of-the-art monitoring strategies. The Project Officer will provide overall support in operational management for the successful execution and implementation of the project. This position’s responsibilities include the daily responsibility for management, coordination and supervision of the implementation of the project and delivery of the results in accordance with the full project proposal and work plans. In addition, s/he will be responsible for overseeing the financial management and disbursements. Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences, the incumbent will manage the coordination and overall implementation of the Project by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities: Background ---------- 1\. Coordinate the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the Project in compliance with its overall objective, specific objectives, expected outputs, outcomes and activities: a) Oversee and manage project implementation, monitor work progress, and ensure timely delivery of outputs. b) Report to the implementing partner and respective national and regional stakeholders, in cooperation with the national project focal points, regarding project progress. c) Develop and facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system. d) Ensure timely preparation of detailed annual work plans and budgets for approval. e) Assist in the identification, selection and recruitment of staff, consultants and other experts as required. f) Coordinate and facilitate the work of the project team (consisting of the finance and adminative assistant, national coordinators, implementing partners, and national and international consultants). g) Organize and coordinate the work of the Project Steering Committee and the Project Team according to the agreed schedule for the on-line and face-to-face modes. h) Control expenditures and enssure adequate management of resources. i) Provide input to management and technical reports, and other documents as described in the overall project. j) Support the procurement of goods and services and regularly monitori their deployment. k) Guide the production of Project deliverables, including guidelines, manuals and other technical and/or reporting materials, and ensure their high quality. l) Ensure conformity and compliance with UNESCO’s rules and regulations, policies, communication strategies, and Office procedures and practices. m) Ensure the necessary bi-annual reporting on the Project in the UNESCO CoreManager system. 2\. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of overall implementation and the reporting on the Project activities by: a) Providing overall coordination on monitoring, evaluation and reporting, in line with established outputs, outcomes and indicators of the Project. b) Contributing to and compiling the reports on the Project activities for UNESCO, and the donor. c) Regularly monitoring the financial status of the Project and developing budget revisions, as needed. d) Coordinating preparation of budgetary and financial reports, verification of overall accuracy and consistency, and crosscheck consistency of figures and by contributing to preparation of budgetary and financial reports, statistics and projections. e) Fostering exchanges of information and experiences and identifying new strategies to improve the joint Project delivery and to achieve its objectives. f) Facilitating the implementation of monitoring/evaluation actions (including identifying issues and instituting timely remedial measures, as appropriate), reporting on and documenting good practices, case studies and lessons learned. Long Description ---------------- 3\. Liaise with relevant national, regional and international governmental and non-governmental partners, counterparts and stakeholders by: a) Providing technical input and guidance to relevant stakeholders, counterparts and authorities. b) Identifying relevant institutions and entities and ensuring their engagement in relevant activities of the Project. c) Developing partnerships to promote synergies with national and regional entities to facilitate the implementation of the Project and its long-term sustainability. d) Contributing to maintaining productive relationships with counterparts and key stakeholders, including ministries, regional and national authorities, Adaptation Fund, relevant UN System partners and others. e) Maintain productive relationships with country coordinators, implementing partners and Project Team. Skills and Competencies 4\. Oversee and contribute to the development and implementation of the Communication Plan of the Project in close cooperation with the Project Team members: a) Ensuring proper visibility is given to the Project, donor and partners by developing and updating communication plans, objectives, milestones and tools and providing strategic orientation and support to the implementation team. b) Ensuring compliance with UNESCO and Adaptation Fund communication requirements. **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 international development, environment, sustainable management of natural resources, climate change and/or other fields closely related to the position. ***Work Experience*** - A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementation of projects and programmes in natural sciences related field. - Experience working in a multi-skilled/multicultural team. - Experience engaging with government agencies, partner institutions and/or donors and in developing partnerships. ***Skills and Competencies*** - Knowledge of Results Based Management. - Good understanding of the thematic areas covered by the Project. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as ability to set priorities, to ensure compliance to rules and administrative guidelines, to analyse and respond to routine and non-routine issues. - Ability to establish good working relationships with internal and external colleagues, experts, partners and stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels. - Strong communication skills. - Good IT skills, including advanced knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). ***Languages*** - Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written). **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- ***Work Experience*** - Experience in UN or other international organization. - Demonstrated solid knowledge (academic or professional) in the sustainable management of natural resources, environment and climate change. ***Skills and Competencies*** - Knowledge of UN procedures, rules and regulations - Ability to identify and analyse trends, opportunities and threats and to develop appropriate strategies and mechanisms to address them. - Ability to synthesize performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making. - Knowledge of ethical and behavioural expectations, sound judgement, and high standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality. ***Languages*** - Working level knowledge of any other Central Asian national language. **BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS** ----------------------------- - Salary: base monthly gross USD 2,917.11 (monthly rates in reference to the local UN FTA salary scales of the locally recruited staff, corresponding to 66% of the gross base salary; subject to change in case of changes in local UN salary scale). - Medical and Pension Coverage. As additional payment, upon proof of enrolment in an appropriate pension and/or medical scheme, the following contributions will be added to the SC holder's remuneration: (a) up to 10% of the SC holder's remuneration to represent UNESCO's sole contribution for pension; and (b) up to 5% of the SC holder's remuneration to represent UNESCO's sole contribution to medical insurance. The SC holder must provide the proof of affiliation to local or private social security scheme if in receipt of an additional payment. - Income Tax. The remuneration paid to SC holders is not exempt from any income tax which may be levied by the tax authorities in the country where work is performed or any other tax authorities. UNESCO shall not reimburse any taxes, duties or other contributions for which the SC holder may be personally liable in respect of payments made under the terms of his/her contract. SC holders will be solely and personally responsible for complying with tax laws that are applicable to them, and for paying any taxes (in particular income tax), duties or other contributions for which they may be personally liable, under any tax laws applicable to them, in respect of any payments made to them under the terms of their SC contract. - UNESCO's salaries are paid in the currency established by the local UN System (currently in Kazakh Tenge at the applicable mid-month UNORE). - Annual leave is granted at the rate of 2,5 working days for each completed month of service. The annual leave entitlement must be taken in full during the contract period. - Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. **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 applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) 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.

Potential interview questions