PROGRAMME SPECIALIST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences,  the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO New Delhi Office, and in close collaboration with Science Programme Specialists at Headquarters and the Regional Bureau for Sciences for Asia and the Pacific, the incumbent will be responsible for designing, formulating, implementing and evaluating activities in the countries of South Asia. S/he will prepare inputs for the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), the Programme and Budget (C/5) and related work plans in the domain of Natural Sciences. S/he will also contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and actively participate in the joint UN exercises. In particular, s/he will perform the following duties\:

• Coordinate and design programmes and projects in the areas of Ecological and Earth Sciences, Water Sciences, Science Policy and Capacity-Building. 
• Coordinate and plan work activities in the areas of the development of science systems, empowering learners and the Science 2030 agenda.  Provide technical support to national counterparts to design, plan implement and coordinate decentralized programmes activities related to Natural Sciences.
• Provide substantive contributions to the development of national, sub-regional, regional and international strategies in the field of Natural Sciences. Assist Member States in supporting and coordinating activities of UNESCO Chairs and in developing affiliated research centers related to Natural Sciences.
• Establish and promote strategic relationships with other UN agencies, UNESCO Centres and Institutes and field offices in the region, civil society as well as with multilateral and bilateral development agencies and donors in view of development and implementation of joint activities.
• Contribute to resource mobilization by developing concepts notes and project proposals based on situational analyses and in accordance with UNESCO’s Programme and Budget. Deal with UN Agencies, bilateral and multilateral partners, development banks and international institutions in order to formulate extra-budgetary national and regional projects related to Natural Sciences.
• Lead/manage cross group activities in view of maximizing synergy in the work of the New Delhi Office. Liaise with other teams to ensure coordination of work across other countries in the region.

Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in the field of environmental, earth, water sciences, science policy or in another related field of Natural Sciences. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of Natural Sciences, of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level.
• Proven experience in environmental, earth system, water sciences, and/or science policy. 
• Experience in research, teaching and/or training in one of the field of Natural Sciences.
• Proven experience in fundraising and mobilizing extra budgetary funds.

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent programme and project management skills.
• Conceptual, critical thinking demonstrated, among others, in the preparation of professional texts.
• Proven ability to identify emerging trends and needs and ability to plan strategically and translate strategy into priorities and action.
• Demonstrated ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations and build/maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written). 
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English. 

Education 

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the field of environmental sciences, hydrology, ecological sciences or civil engineering.

Work Experience

• Experience within government or the private sector in the field of Natural Sciences.
• Experience with specialized agencies of the UN system and/or professional NGOs and/or organizations for international technical cooperation.
• Experience in promoting South-South cooperation in science policy and capacity building at national and regional level.
• Knowledge of the geopolitical context of the region.

Skills/Competencies

• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the UN system.

Languages

• Good knowledge of French.
• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).