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Service Contract (Mangrove Conservation) Project Officer

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level :  SC4

Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station : Paris

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+2 Time) : 15/05/2026

 

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

UNESCO’s Ecological and Earth Sciences Division supports Member States in strengthening ecosystem resilience, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation across UNESCO-designated sites. In line with the Organization’s strategic priorities, the 43 C/5 major programme and the objectives of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, UNESCO is working to enhance mangrove conservation and restoration in biosphere reserves and coastal ecosystems.


Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Ecological and Earth Sciences Division (SC/EES), the SC/EES/MAB Chief of Section, and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist in charge, the Associate Project Officer will contribute to project coordination, analytical reporting, stakeholder engagement, and communication activities related to mangrove ecosystem conservation and restoration, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity monitoring.

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

In this context, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:


Project Coordination and Operational Support

• Support the day-to-day coordination of project activities, ensuring smooth communication and timely follow-up with participating sites and partners.
• Support the logistical and administrative preparation of missions, meetings, and project-related events, including travel arrangements, documentation flow, and participant coordination.
• Maintain updated planning tools, calendars, and internal tracking systems to support efficient project implementation.


Knowledge Management and Information Flow

• Organize and maintain project information repositories, ensuring that documents, correspondence, and partner inputs are properly archived and accessible.
• Compile and structure contributions received from biosphere reserves, national committees, and partner institutions to support internal decision-making processes.
• Assist in harmonizing formats and organizing materials produced across the project, without generating technical content.

Long Description

Monitoring of Activity Implementation


• Track progress of field activities and partner deliverables through regular communication with site managers and national focal points.
• Maintain monitoring dashboards and follow-up tables to support internal oversight of timelines, milestones, and administrative requirements.
• Support the consolidation of non-technical inputs for internal progress updates.


Communication and Project Visibility Support

• Coordinate the circulation of communication materials produced by technical teams, ensuring they reach relevant audiences and platforms.
• Maintain contact lists, distribution channels, and communication workflows to support visibility actions led by project specialists.
• Assist in organizing dissemination events and exchanges, focusing on logistics and coordination rather than content creation.

Long Description

Stakeholder Facilitation and Network Support

•Provide support to facilitate routine communication with biosphere reserve managers, community representatives, youth networks, and institutional partners.
•Support the organization of participatory processes by coordinating invitations, logistics, and documentation, without leading technical facilitation.
•Maintain updated records of partner engagement, meeting notes, and follow-up actions.

Administrative and Organizational Support

• Initiate a variety of administrative/procurement/ contractual arrangements, identify consultant/suppliers and prepare contracts in accordance with financial rules and regulations for project implementation.
• Support budget monitoring by tracking expenditures against planned activities and preparing internal summaries for project managers.
• Ensure compliance with internal administrative standards and donor requirements in coordination with the project team.

Long Description

Long Description

EXPECTED RESULTS

  • Project activities are effectively coordinated, with timely communication, updated planning tools, and regular follow-up with partners.
  • Project information and documentation are well organized, accessible, and support internal decision-making.
  • Progress of activities and partner deliverables is consistently tracked, ensuring clear oversight of timelines and milestones.
  • Communication workflows function efficiently, supporting the dissemination of materials and enhancing project visibility.
  • Stakeholder exchanges are regularly maintained and documented, facilitating collaboration and follow-up actions.
  • Meetings, missions, and project events are organized efficiently, ensuring smooth implementation.

Long Description

DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

12 months.

Long Description

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

  • Master’s degree in environmental sciences, sustainability, ecology, geography, or a closely related field (documented by diploma or transcript).

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in ecosystem conservation, biodiversity restoration, climate adaptation, or sustainable development of which one (1) year acquired at the international level.
  • Proven experience in coordinating projects.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Excellent drafting skills with the ability to produce quality reports.
  • Experience producing analytical reports, synthesizing information, or conducting stakeholders consultations.
  • Ability to work and maintain effective working relations within a multicultural environment and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong IT skills, including spatial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

 

LANGUAGES

  • Excellent knowledge of English.
  • Excellent knowledge of Spanish.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Experience working with UNESCO, UN agencies, or international environmental organizations.
  • Experience with biosphere reserves, coastal communities, or ecosystem restoration projects.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

  • Familiarity with coastal ecosystems, mangrove ecology, or nature-based solutions.
  • Knowledge of UNESCO’s MAB Programme or UNESCO-designated sites.
  • Ability to work in close partnership with a wide range of stakeholders within and outside the organization.

 

LANGUAGES

  • Excellent knowledge of French
  • Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Long Description

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates 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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