National Professional Officer Full-Time

Overview of the functions of the post

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences Sector (ADG/SC) and direct supervision of the Head of the UNESCO Office in Maputo, the incumbent will contribute to the design, coordination and implementation of activities carried out under UNESCO´s Natural Sciences Major Programme II in Mozambique. The global objective of the position is to support Mozambique in its efforts to implement the National Development Plan (NDP), 2022-2026 United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for providing the necessary professional and technical support required to develop, implement and evaluate programme activities that promote learning and sustainable societies, support Mozambique´s efforts in advancing science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges. A particular focus will be put on closing the knowledge gaps and promoting UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

S/he will also be responsible for supporting the country’s efforts to implement international recommendations from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as well as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s recommendations related to indigenous people, biodiversity conservation and climate change.

The incumbent will be part of UNESCO´s Office in Maputo interdisciplinary team collaborating with stakeholders and working with the technical guidance from the Natural Science Programme Divisions at UNESCO Headquarters, and Natural Sciences Programme Specialists at the Multisectoral Regional Office in Harare.

In this context, the incumbent will:

Long Description

• Participate in UNESCO´s Regular Programme (C/5) work plans, policy formulation discussions, and other UNESCO’s Natural Science Sector’s related strategy formulation activities.
• Coordinate and monitor the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes and projects in Natural Sciences in the Southern Africa Region, including the Ecological and Earth Sciences (EES), Man and the Biosphere (MAB), Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Science Policy and Basics Sciences (PBS).
• Lead UNESCO Maputo Office’s interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts in the areas of environment, biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk reduction, science education, education for sustainable development, world natural heritage and world heritage biodiversity programmes. This entails intellectual leadership, mobilisation of funds as well as the participation in intersectoral programmes and activities.
• Participate and provide technical support to UNESCO’s involvement in joint programming exercises with the framework of the UN Reform, such as Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and the implementation of the 2022-2026 UNSDCF in Mozambique.
• Provide technical advice and support to the national institutions and other stakeholders in charge of sciences, technology and innovation for policy and research action-oriented activities on new emerging national and global trends in sciences and contribute to the development of pertinent strategy papers, technical notes, frameworks and scientific documents, articles that contribute to the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with other UN Agencies, in particular, with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Multilateral and Bilateral Development partners in collaboration with colleagues from UNESCO Headquarters and Field Offices, Category I and Category II Centres and Institutes in natural sciences to foster opportunities for joint programming activities related to natural sciences, within the implementation of the common UN Country Programmes in support of 2022- 2026 UNSDCF.
• Identify and contribute to the formulation of the UNESCO Office in Maputo resource mobilisation strategy and its biennial implementation plans and develop in collaboration with other Programme Officers concept notes and project proposals aimed at consolidating and complementing the regular budget-funded programme activities in Natural Sciences and formulate the required resource mobilisation and alternative funding mechanisms, partnerships strategies and plans to that end.
• Prepare and submit quarterly/ yearly work plans of regular budget programmes and extrabudgetary projects as per approved project documents, establish corresponding budgets, monitor the budgetary and financial status of the projects and decentralised budgets, and ensure financial accountability.
• Ensure the appropriate implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Natural Sciences Programme is decentralised to the Office and provide timely quarterly/yearly reports.

Competencies (Core/ Managerial)

• Accountability (C).
• Innovation (C).
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C).
• Planning and organizing (C).
• Results focus (C).
• Teamwork (C).
• Professionalism (C).

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the relevant field of natural sciences related disciplines (Environment, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences and Science Policy) and/or Engineering.

Work Experience

• Less than 2 (two) years of relevant professional experience in the field of natural sciences such as Environment, Water Resources, and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
• Experience in scientific coordination, project and budget management as well as in fundraising and/or other resource mobilisation mechanisms.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent programme and project management skills.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and needs and ability to plan strategically and translate strategy into priorities and action.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively with various stakeholders, within and outside the organization and through various channels including the web and social media.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and very good knowledge of Portuguese.

Desirable Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in the relevant field of natural sciences related disciplines (Environment, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences and Science Policy, Life Sciences, Sustainability, and Biodiversity).

Work Experience

• Experience the field of natural sciences either within government, academia, non-for-profit organizations or private sector.
• Experience with specialized agencies of the UN system, professional Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and/or organizations for international technical cooperation.
• Experience in promoting regional cooperation in Southern Africa.
• Knowledge of the geopolitical context of Southern Africa.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment.
• Ability to work in close partnership with a wide range of national, regional and international scientific organizations.
• Good knowledge of UNESCO’s work and programmes in the area of natural sciences.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

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 32 700 US $.

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 a competency-based 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.