PROGRAMME SPECIALIST

Nairobi

Organization: UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Climate Change
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: Closed

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences (ADG/SC) and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Nairobi Office and in close collaboration with the division of Ecological and Earth Sciences at Headquarters, the incumbent will identify needs, develop, plan, organize, implement, monitor, evaluate and provide technical support for UNESCO’s projects and activities related to the Earth Sciences. S/he will prepare inputs for the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), the Programme and Budget (C/5), related work plans and also draft relevant contributions to the Report of the Director-General on the activities of the Organization in the Region, in the field of Earth Sciences. S/He will also participate in joint programming exercises within the framework of the UN Reform and ‘Delivering As One’, such as Common Country Assessments/United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (CCA/UNDAF). In particular, s/he will be expected to perform the following responsibilities\:

Identify the Earth Sciences programmatic needs and priorities of the region, consistent with those identified by Member States, and propose alignment of these priorities with UN and development partners’ frameworks. Ensure the coordination, monitoring, reporting and follow up of related activities and budget execution.
Provide programme and project support including backstopping, technical, financial and human resources management and follow up activities, pertinent to the Nairobi Office in the areas of the Earth Sciences.
Contribute to the design of a resource mobilization strategy, formulate and implement extra-budgetary national and regional projects, through the identification of potential funding sources, establishing contacts and pursuing negotiations with national institutions, regional partners and local institutions, in support of the Earth Sciences.
Maintain collaborative relationships with governmental departments, National Commissions, intergovernmental and national committees, such as International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme of UNESCO (IGGP), scientific institutions in the region such as ANESI (African Network of Earth Science Institutes and UNESCO networks of Centers and Chairs, with a view to identifying trends and needs in research, policy formulation and capacity building in the field of Ecology and Earth Sciences towards the achievement of the 2030 Global Agenda on Sustainable Development.
Pursue opportunities for inter-sectoral and inter-office cooperation by liaising with concerned staff and other stakeholders at UNESCO and external partners in order to maximize resources and further the programmatic agenda.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the field of the Earth Sciences.

Work experience

Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in the field of the Earth Sciences, of which at least 2 years acquired at regional and/or international level.
Proven experience in the field of sciences coordination, programme management and in designing and implementing programmes/projects, as well as demonstrated expertise in the Earth Sciences.

Skills/Competencies

Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively (orally and in writing) with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside of the Organization.
Knowledge of resource mobilization mechanisms.
Ability to work effectively in a team and to function within a multi-cultural environment.
Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software.

Languages