Project Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 6KESC0002PA

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Nairobi

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) : 26-MAY-2025

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 authority of the Assistant Director General (ADG/SC) for Natural Sciences, and the direct supervision of the Senior Science Programme Specialist (Natural Sciences) of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, the incumbent will act as the Water Sciences Project Manager and Coordinator. Following the award of the project “Sustainably unlocking the economic potential of Lake Turkana” funded by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands (EKN), the water security portfolio of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa increased more than 200% in December 2024 with the addition of four new projects worth of 10,5 million USD. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting the Senior Science Programme Specialist (Natural Sciences) in the coordination, and monitoring of these projects, while enhancing partnerships and fund raising further.

In particular, the post will comprise of the direct management of the project “Sustainably unlocking the economic potential of Lake Turkana” and the coordination role of the other four upcoming projects as well as any additional projects that might come along.

Long Description

The incumbent’s work includes the supervision of project staff and engaging resources to achieve agreed objectives, forge and maintain partnerships as well as defining and promoting cross-sectional and divisional work within the projects’ frameworks. She/He will advise on and advocate UNESCO’s positioning, involvement and participation in the UN fora based on the project’s related work. S/he supports the production of scientific knowledge base, tools and methodologies and produces high quality publications on the assigned thematic responsibilities along the line of the C4/C5, and IHP strategic priorities.

More specifically, the incumbent will:

Long Description

• Organize and monitor the execution of the activities of the Water Sciences Programme, related to the project “Sustainably unlocking the economic potential of Lake Turkana”, including those emanating from the regional support strategy, the C/4 and C/5 documents, cross cutting themes and other transdisciplinary efforts, in co-operation with other Sectors, IGOs, NGOs, IHP National Committees and other partners.
• Coordination and monitoring of four new projects under the supervision and in support of the Senior Science Programme Specialist (Natural Sciences)
• Coordinate the project’s rollout; ensure and monitor its successful implementation, and recommend accordingly approaches to improve its implementation, and plan and implement related changes.
• Manage project related staff, consultants, volunteers and interns.
• Identify financial resources within the framework of the project. Develop further contacts with development partners and funding agencies to ensure mobilization of additional opportunities for extra budgetary resources for relevant programmatic and thematic areas related to the project.

• Represent the Office in internal and external networks related to the project when necessary, and support efforts in developing partnerships with designated UN specialized agencies, and other UN Agencies and Organizations as well as NGOs and IGOs.
• Coordinate production of high-quality scientific knowledge base, data, tools, and methodologies to address water security, hydrological processes and climate change adaptation in coordination with relevant category II centres and chairs.
• Promote, and facilitate the deployment of hydrological products in Member States such as flood and drought early warning systems, climate resilient water management approaches and produce relevant publications and ensure wide disseminations of tools and publications to Member States and stakeholders.
• Maintain relation with professional, scientific and UN organizations and create and support scientific network related to hydrological processes and climate change.
• Any other tasks requested by the senior programme specialist.

Organizational environment and partnerships

• Represent the Office in internal and external networks related to the project when necessary, and support efforts in developing partnerships with designated UN specialized agencies, and other UN Agencies and Organizations as well as NGOs and IGOs.

Expected results and duration of the assignment

The incumbent’s work includes the supervision of project staff and engaging resources to achieve agreed objectives, forge and maintain partnerships as well as defining and promoting cross-sectional and divisional work within the projects’ frameworks. She/He will advise on and advocate UNESCO’s positioning, involvement and participation in the UN fora based on the project’s related work. S/he supports the production of scientific knowledge base, tools and methodologies and produces high quality publications on the assigned thematic responsibilities along the line of the C4/C5, and IHP strategic priorities.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of hydrology, water resources or environmental engineering.
• PhD in the field of hydrology, environmental engineering, civil engineering, water sciences or environmental sciences with a focus on hydrological processes monitoring and modelling. Focus on water quality monitoring programme would be an asset.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of water resources research, particularly focusing on hydrological processes monitoring and modelling, water quality monitoring and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level. 
• Professional experience in the development and implementation of monitoring programme for hydrological process and for water quality and in hydrological modelling.
• Track record of relevant scientific publications related to hydrology, water resources and adaptation strategies
• Demonstrated professional experience in proposal writing, resource mobilization and partnership building.
• Experience in managing budgets and reporting on implementation.

Long Description

Skills and Competencies

• Good conceptual, analytical, research and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to carry out quality research and produce papers related to hydrological processes, water quality and climate adaptation strategies.
• Knowledge of international development issues and the contribution of water resources.
• Excellent drafting skills with ability to produce high quality reports and papers on scientific, technical, and strategic issues.
• High level of autonomy.
• Proven ability to plan and organize training courses, projects and workshops on water related risks and nature based solutions
• Demonstrated capacity to provide guidance and to motivate a multicultural team with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Ability to communicate (written and oral) and negotiate effectively and persuasively with various stakeholders, within and outside the organization and through various channels including the web and social media.

Language

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience in African countries in water science, particularly in Kenya and in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and/or Ministry of Environment, Forestation and Climate Change.
• Experience in the implementation of large-scale project with technical components on hydrological processes and water quality, nature-based solutions, pollution control or ecohydrology.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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