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Programme Officer - Science

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level :  4

Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station : Doha

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 14/03/2026

 

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen (the Office), based in Doha, covers six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Republic of Yemen. In line with UNESCO’s global priorities and five major programmes, the Office sets a local programme of action in consultation and partnership with the seven Member States.
The Office collaborates through inter-agency mechanisms with resident and non-resident UN agencies in its seven cluster countries as well as at the regional level to increase coherence, effectiveness, and relevance of its interventions with the overall goal to maximize the impact of its work. The Office is member of five UN Country Teams in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Republic of Yemen. As such, the Office contributes to UN customary work, and planning and programming processes, including UN Common Country Analysis (CCAs), United National Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) formulations, as well as UN Joint Programmes, UN system-wide normative work, and thematic and programmatic working groups. . 
The Office works to promote UNESCO’s global priorities including gender and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In partnership with the Member States within the cluster, the Office provides technical assistance, capacity building, and advocacy linked to UNESCO’s main fields of competence, in the areas of education, sciences, culture, and communications/information. 

Long Description

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

Tasks and Expected Outputs 
Under the overall authority of the Director of the Office, and the direct supervision of the Science Programme Specialist, the incumbent will assist in identifying needs, and providing technical support for UNESCO’s projects and activities in the fields of Natural Sciences by carrying out the following duties:

 

1.    Programme Support and Coordination
- Support the science sector in the field of Science & Technology, Environment, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Education for Sustainable Development, and Science Education.
- Provide operational and administrative support to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Science Sector activities and projects.
- Assist in the preparation of annual and biennial work plans, budgets, progress reports, and donor reports.
- Support coordination with national counterparts, implementing partners, and other UNESCO sectors to ensure coherence and synergy.
- Contribute to the organization of meetings, workshops, training activities, conferences, and regional or national consultations.

2.    Partnership Development
- Support the identification, mapping, and engagement of potential partners, including government entities, research institutions, universities, NGOs, youth organizations, women’s networks, foundations, and the private sector.
- Assist in the development and follow-up of partnerships with regional and international stakeholders relevant to science, biodiversity, youth, and gender equality in STEM.
- Contribute to the preparation of partnership concept notes, cooperation frameworks, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), and joint activity proposals.
- Maintain updated partner databases and support relationship management with existing partners.

3.    Resource Mobilization
- Support the identification of funding opportunities from bilateral and multilateral donors, foundations, development banks, and private sector partners.
- Assist in the preparation of funding proposals, project documents, budgets, and logical frameworks, in line with donor requirements and UNESCO rules.
- Contribute to donor intelligence, including tracking funding trends relevant to STI, biodiversity, geosciences, climate, youth, and women in science in the GCC and Yemen.
- Support reporting and communication with donors, ensuring visibility of results and compliance with funding agreements.

Long Description

4.    Biodiversity, Environmental Sciences and Geosciences
- Support the implementation of projects related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystems, geosciences, and environmental sustainability, including terrestrial, marine, and coastal environments.
- Contribute to activities under UNESCO’s science programs, including the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), and climate and environmental monitoring initiatives.
- Support the promotion, development, and strengthening of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, including:
- Assisting Member States in the identification, designation, extension, and periodic review of Biosphere Reserves.
- Supporting stakeholder consultations, technical documentation, and coordination with national MAB committees and relevant institutions.
- Contributing to capacity-building activities related to biosphere reserve governance, zoning systems, biodiversity monitoring, sustainable livelihoods, and community participation.
- Support the development, promotion, and operationalization of UNESCO Global Geoparks, including:
- Assisting Member States and national institutions in the identification, preparation, and follow-up of UNESCO Global Geopark initiatives.
- Supporting technical documentation, stakeholder consultations, and awareness-raising activities related to geopark designation and management.
- Contributing to capacity-building activities for national and local stakeholders on geo-conservation, geo-heritage, geo-tourism, and sustainable local development.
- Support the creation of synergies between Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable tourism.
- Assist in strengthening linkages between Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks with youth engagement, education, research, and women’s participation in science and local development.
- Support collaboration with national environmental authorities, MAB committees, Geopark committees, academic institutions, local governments, and community stakeholders.

5.    Youth and Women in Sciences
- Support initiatives promoting the engagement of youth and women in biodiversity sciences, geosciences, and ecosystem management, including through Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark–based activities.
- Contribute to programs highlighting young researchers, women scientists, and community leaders involved in Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks, including through mentoring, networking, and visibility actions.
- Assist in the organization of events, campaigns, and networks highlighting youth and women scientists in the GCC countries and Yemen.
- Support data collection, documentation of good practices, and storytelling related to youth and women in science.

6.    Knowledge Management and Communication
- Assist in the collection, organization, and dissemination of program information, lessons learned, and best practices.
- Contribute to the preparation of briefs, presentations, visibility materials, and content for reports, websites, and social media, in coordination with the communication unit.
- Support internal coordination and information sharing within the office and with Headquarters and Field Offices.

7.    Undertake any other pertinent professional duties as assigned by the Director of the UNESCO Office for the GCC and Yemen and the Science Programme Specialist.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

  • Communication (C)
  • Accountability (C)
  • Innovation (C)
  • Knowlegde 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

•    Advanced university degree (MA or equivalent) is preferably in the field of Environmental and Natural Science or Social Science. 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the field of sciences coordination, programme management and in designing and implementing programmes/projects, of which preferably 2 years acquired at regional and/or international level, preferably in an international organization.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Good 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 (orally and in writing) with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside of the Organization.
•    Knowledge of resource mobilization mechanisms.
•    Ability to work effectively in a team and to function within a multi-cultural environment.
•    Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software.

 

LANGUAGES

•    Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and Arabic

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO Salaries in Doha paid in Qatari Riyals; the annual remuneration for the post is QAR 285456. UNESCO Service Contract benefits include 30 days of annual leave as well as a contribution to pension scheme and health insurance upon proof of inscription.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that only candidates holding a valid Qatar ID (Resident Permit) must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
  • lndividuals 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.
  • The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
  • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.

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