UNESCO-AF-GEF PROJECTS NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR KAZAKHSTAN (SB-4 SC8 Min)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Almaty

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 4

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months  Initial contract for 3 months’ probation period and the possibility of extension

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 19-DEC-2025

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

(Only candidates entitled to work in Kazakhstan may apply for this post

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The National Coordinator provides support to the Project Management Units (PMU) in the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty and liaises with project partners. Main tasks are the financial and contractual oversight, as well as communications with regards to two UNESCO projects funded by the Adaptation Fund (AF) called “Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in the Central Asia region from glacier lake outburst floods in a changing climate” (GLOFCA) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), GEF-UNDP-UNESCO project 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 projects achieve quality programming and development outcomes.

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty, overall supervision of the Head of Natural Sciences unit, in close coordination with the GEF-UNDP-UNESCO Project Manager and GLOFCA Project Officer, the Incumbent shall act as a National Coordinator in implementing the AF and GEF Project activities in Kazakhstan by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

Long Description

1. Projects Management Support:
   1.1. Comprehensive management support for the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Projects in compliance with overall objectives, specific objectives, expected outputs, outcomes and activities at country (Kazakhstan) level.
   1.2. Independently trouble-shoot common problems and report more complex issues to the Project Managers in the Almaty Office and follow up until resolved.
   1.3. 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.
   1.4. Perform administrative tasks for the projects including contracting arrangements, vendor creation and update, procurement management according to UNESCO rules.
   1.5. Ensure strategic planning of country-level activities in accordance with the Projects work plans and in close coordination with the Project Officers and projects management teams.
   1.6. Support the Project Management Team at UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty in organizing and follow-up of the Projects-related meetings, events, and missions to Kazakhstan.
   1.7. Provide inputs to the narrative annual reports, Project Performance Reports, Core Manager reports, other briefings, information notes, talking points, etc. as requested by the Project Managers, pertaining to the project activities in Kazakhstan.
   1.8. Upon request, contribute to the activities of the environmental Results Group of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Kazakhstan.
   1.9. Serve as a Project liaison to national counterparts, country-level civil society organizations and other country-level stakeholders.
   1.10. Ensure awareness raising with regard to the projects’ objectives and activities. Provide information to country-level stakeholders as well as the general public.
   1.11. Coordinate country representation in all project-related activities, events, meetings by liaising with national partners and ensuring their participation.
   1.12. Provide inputs and necessary information for the Project Knowledge Management Platform as requested by the Projects Managers and the Projects Communication Expert.
   1.13. 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)

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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

WORK EXPERIENCE
   • A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementation of projects and programmes in natural sciences related field or other relevant areas
   • Experience in working and collaborating with governments and in the public participation development process

Long Description

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
   • Strong administrative skills and meticulous attention to detail.
   • Flexibility to adjust to changes in demands, new situations, or approaches
   • 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
   • 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
   • Working experience within UNESCO or UN agencies.
   • Knowledge of UN procedures, rules and regulations
   • Previous experience with UN projects and/or GEF-funded projects.

LANGUAGES
   • Knowledge of Kazakh language.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

• Salary: base monthly gross USD 2,247.72
(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 Kazakh Tenge at the applicable mid-month UNORE).

• 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.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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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.