Project Coordinator
OVERVIEW
Post Number : 6ZASC0001TA
Grade : NO-B
Parent Sector : Field Office
Duty Station: Pretoria
Job Family: Natural Sciences
Type of contract : Temporary Appointment
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-JUN-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Only nationals of South Africa can apply for this position.
Duration of contract: 6 months with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
With support from the Flanders UNESCO Science Trust Fund (FUST), UNESCO is implementing the sub-regional project Citizen Science (CS) as a tool for Landscape Governance in the SADC region, from April 2025 to September 2028, within UNESCO’s regional programme of projects supporting the use of science to strengthen community resilience, that has been branded ‘Be Resilient’.
The overall aim of the Be Resilient-Citizen Science project is to provide evidence of the added value of citizen science in local governance through its implementation in UNESCO sites. The expected Outcome of the project is to have strengthened landscape‐wide governance frameworks and management in 3 UNESCO‐designated sites in Botswana and South Africa, through enhanced capacity and participation of stakeholders in citizen science projects; and to have increased regional awareness of the potential of Citizen Science in landscape management.
The following Outputs are expected:
Component 1 ‐ Enhance capacity and participation in Citizen Science in Biosphere Reserves (BR) through training and co-development of research plans by communities and research institutions, and selective support for research involving CS in the natural sciences.
Component 2 ‐ Strengthen landscape management in Biosphere Reserves by supporting champions in municipalities or development sectors, who are using CS in their management
Component 3 ‐ Strengthen landscape Governance Frameworks and Policies in Southern Africa by advocating for wider awareness of the achievements in the first 2 components and replication; particularly in other landscape-based regional networks such as transfrontier conservation areas (TFCA) and river basin organisations (RBO).
UNESCO is also an implementing partner of the consortium implementing the ‘Restoring Landscapes in South Africa (ReLISA): Nature-based solutions for climate, biodiversity and people’ project, funded by the Government of Germany, and scheduled to be implemented between 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2029. The overall aim of the ReLISA project is to make the economic case for landscape-level restoration and create the conditions for a just transition of South Africa’s land-use sector, to adapt to climate change and address biodiversity loss while improving livelihoods of rural communities and farmers. This will be achieved through biophysical/economic assessments as inputs to planning restoration activities, the leveraging private sector investment through pre-feasibility studies and project development, on-the-ground implementation at landscape level for thicket, grassland and savanna biomes, and dissemination and communication.
UNESCO’s role in the project will include support to the development of Water Funds in BR; but also collaborate with the 6 other partners in piloting other approaches to strengthen landscape restoration. This position is to be based in Pretoria.
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Regional Director and Representative for Southern Africa, the supervision of the Regional Head of the Natural Sciences Unit and the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Specialist in charge of Ecology and Hydrology the incumbent will;
1) Lead UNESCO’s implementation of the Be Resilient – Citizen Science project;
2) Support the coordinator of the ReLISA project, as ecological scientist, specifically in the ecosystem restoration pilot projects; the piloting of a landscape monitoring framework in one BR; and support to the development of a grassland BR.
Long Description
In particular, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
Project Implementation Coordination:
- Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Citizen Science as a tool for Landscape Governance in the SADC region project (BR-CS), to ensure the achievement of project targets and results;
- Coordinate with the Natural Sciences Sector at UNESCO HQ and with the coordinator of the Flanders UNESCO Science Trust Fund, Flanders Ministry of Science, the annual reporting and other communications required to ensure smooth implementation of the project;
Technical and Administrative Lead
- Develop and formulate detailed annual implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication, capacity building, Monitoring and Evaluation, and risk management plans for the Project;
- Provide technical lead to the project as ecologist and Biosphere Reserve expert;
- Plan and undertake project-related missions to the field sites to support implementation and track progress;
- Prepare annual progress reports within the required formats/standards of the Agreement with the donor;
- Prepare necessary ToR, Implementing Partner Agreements, subcontracts, other procurements and budget operations for submission to administration and finance units;
Representation and communication
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with UNESCO’s national partners and represent the project
where required;
- Integrate the project in UNESCO’s high-level and regional events, such as MAB/AfriMAB, and IHP events;
- Prepare communication materials for the project and newsletters.
- Produce at least one research paper on the project
In support of the ReLISA project, the following tasks:
- Technical and administrative support
- Support the development of annual workplans and budgets
- Provide support to the inception workshop and 6-monthly progress reports
- Lead the ecosystem restoration activities and support contracting and M&E
- Lead the pilot development of a landscape indicator system for a BR
- Ensure any UNESCO technical support to the development of the Grasslands BR where required
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent) in the field of Water Resources Management, Earth Sciences or a related field of Natural Sciences.
Work Experience
• At least two years of proven work experience in coordination, result-based management, implementation and monitoring of programmes in the field of natural sciences and or related fields.
• Relevant experience in advocacy, resource and partnership mobilization.
• Relevant experience in the project management cycle.
Skills and competencies
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning and administration with a strong result focus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and be accountable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy, and ability to maintain professionalism in all situations.
• High-level abilities to build strategic partnerships and collaborate with a wide range of partners, including national and local authorities, academia and relevant United Nations Organizations, financing institutions and partners, expert bodies and networks, and civil society).
• Strong analytical skills including collecting, consolidating, and interpreting data from various sources, results-based writing and communication.
• Ability to take initiative and work in a multicultural team with respect and sensitivity for diversity.
• Demonstrated skills in knowledge management and continuous self-improvement, and innovation.
• Good IT skills including knowledge of MS Office Software ( Word, Excel, Office, etc).
Languages
• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in the field of Water Resources Management, Earth Sciences or a related field of Natural Sciences.
• Training in project management and/or environmental and social risk assessment.
Work Experience
• Experience at the international level, i.e. within the United Nations common system or International Organizations.
• Experience in UNESCO’s programmes in the field of natural sciences, particularly with the Biosphere Reserve model and UNESCO’s MAB and IHP programmes
Competencies and Skills
• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System.
• Knowledge of United Nations work in the field of natural sciences and/ or related fields.
• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s work at the country-level and familiarity with activities of the Natural Sciences Sector.
• Good understanding of landscape programmes in the SADC region, such as TFCAs, RBOs and CBNRM.
Languages
• Knowledge of the local language spoken in project locations.
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 898229 in ZAR.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
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. 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 an 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.
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