UNESCO-GEF Project National Coordinator for Turkmenistan (SB-4 SC8/NOA Min)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Turkmenistan, Ashgabad

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 4

Duration of contract : 1 year with the 3 months’ probation period

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 01-MAY-2024

 

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

 

(Only candidates who are entitled to work in Turkmenistan may apply to this position)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The National Coordinator provides support to the Project Management Units (PMU) in the UNESCO Almaty Office and liaises with project partners. Main tasks are the financial and contractual oversight, as well as communications with regards to the UNESCO project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) called “Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries by Enabling Regional Cooperation to Assess Glacio-nival Systems to Develop Integrated Methods for Sustainable Development and Adaptation to Climate Change”.

 

The National Coordinator will be responsible for helping project achieve quality programming and development outcomes.

 

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Almaty Office, in close coordination with the GEF Project Manager, the Incumbent shall act as a National Coordinator in implementing the GEF Project activities in Turkmenistan by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

Long Description

1. Projects Management Support:

1. 1.1. Manage the overall implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Project in compliance with overall objectives, specific objectives, expected outputs, outcomes and activities at country (Turkmenistan) level.
2. 1.2. Act as a liaison for day-to-day problem-solving and support.
3. 1.3. Independently trouble-shoot common problems and report more complex issues to the Project Manager in the Almaty Office and follow up until resolved.

2. Project Coordination:    

1. 2.1. Coordinate the administrative activities of the project including mobilizing staff and international consultants, maintaining project files, requesting purchases for goods and services, ensuring submission of project deliverables, and close-down.
2. 2.2. Perform administrative tasks for the project including contracting arrangements, vendor creation and update, procurement management according to UNESCO rules.
3. 2.3. Undertake travel if and as needed, upon the request of the Project Management Teams.

3. Contract Management:

1. 3.1. Initiate requests for approvals; coordinate submissions for contract modifications and coordinates all other requests for contract support.
2. 3.2. Draft routine contractual documents using approved templates.
3. 3.3. Identify and synthesize potential issues and present possible solutions to the Project Manager and project teams.
4. 3.4. Monitor compliance with contract and regulations and assist project partners as needed.

 

4. Activities support:

1. 4.1. Ensure strategic planning of country-level activities in accordance with the Project work plan and in close coordination with the Project Officer and project management team.
2. 4.2. Support the Project Management Team at UNESCO Almaty in organizing and follow-up of the Project-related meetings, events, and missions to Turkmenistan.
3. 4.3. Support all organizational arrangements for the Project activities and Project-related meetings at country level – both online and offline.

5. Financial Management:

1. 5.1. Responsible for ensuring processing and review of project financial transactions and project invoices.
2. 5.2. Create and/or maintain project budget tool and ensure data to monitor the budget implementation.
3. 5.3. Support financial analysis, forecasts, and ad-hoc financial reporting, when requested.

6. Development and Reporting:

1. 6.1. Serve as country-specific information provider around client knowledge, partnering and local staffing.
2. 6.2. Provide inputs to the narrative annual reports, Project Performance Reports, SISTER reports, other briefings, information notes, talking points, etc. as requested by the Project Manager, pertaining to the project activities in Turkmenistan.
3. 6.3. Upon request, contribute to the activities of the environmental Results Group of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Turkmenistan.

 

7. Visibility and Awareness:

1. 7.1. Serve as a Project liaison to national counterparts, country-level civil society organizations and other country-level stakeholders.
2. 7.2. Awareness raising with regard to the project’s objectives and activities. Provide information to country-level stakeholders as well as the general public.
3. 7.3. Coordinate country representation in all project-related activities, events, meetings by liaising with national partners and ensuring their participation.
4. 7.4. Provide inputs and necessary information for the Project Knowledge Management Platform as requested by the Project Manager and the Project Communication Expert.
5. 7.5. Contribute to the communication efforts of the Project management team to ensure the Projects’ visibility at country level.

 

Undertake any other related tasks or assignments requested. The contract holder undertakes to carry out the tasks with care and diligence and due attention to detail.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in international development, environment, sustainable management of natural resources, climate related studies, disaster risk reduction and/or other fields closely related to the position. An advanced university degree may be replaced by a first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) and at least two (2) years of additional relevant work experience.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementation of projects and programmes in natural sciences related field
• Demonstrated solid knowledge (academic or professional) in the sustainable management of natural resources, environment, climate change adaptation, with an emphasis on disaster risk reduction in Central Asia as an asset
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and in the public participation development process

 

SKILLS/COMPETENCES

• Knowledge of UN procedures, rules and regulations
• Strong administrative skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexibility to adjust to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches
• Proactiveness and ability to take initiative, with strong analytical and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with sufficient level of autonomy
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences
• Able to build and maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external partners from diverse backgrounds

 

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English and Russian (oral and written).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

EDUCATION

 

• Specialized training/certification in secretarial, administrative or related fields.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

• Working experience within UNESCO or UN agencies.

• Previous experience with UN projects and/or GEF-funded projects.

 

LANGUAGES

 

• Knowledge of Turkmen Language.

 

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

 

• Salary: base monthly gross USD 1,939.08 (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 USD).

 

• 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.

 

ASSESSMENT

 

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PRE-SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

A WRITTEN EXAMINATION MAY BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES. UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. WOMEN CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

 

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