National Professional Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 3GTSC0001PA

Grade : NO-A

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Guatemala City

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 30-APR-2024

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

Only Nationals of Guatemala can apply for this post

Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

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 Guatemala, the incumbent will contribute to the design, coordination and implementation of activities carried out under the Major Programme II - Natural Sciences in Guatemala in view of supporting the country in its effort to implement its National Development Plan (NDP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF), while also contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In particular, the incumbent is responsible for providing professional and technical support, research and analysis, with an emphasis on the national context to develop, implement and evaluate programme initiatives to promote learning and sustainable societies and support the Member State to advance science, technology, innovation, research and engineering to address contemporary environmental and societal challenges and build back better after the pandemic towards the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

H/she shall work as part of the interdisciplinary team in the UNESCO Office in Guatemala, collaborating with relevant stakeholders and receiving technical guidance from Natural Sciences Programme Divisions at UNESCO Headquarters, other Natural Sciences Programme Specialists at the Multisectoral Regional Office in San Jose, and especially from the Regional Office in Montevideo on the coordination for Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) in order to strengthen and promote regional projects.

In particular, the incumbent will: 

Long Description

Provide professional and technical support in the identification, design, planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities in the field of natural sciences. Participate in Regular Programme (C/5) work plans. Lead the UNESCO Guatemala office’s interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts, including the formulation of concept notes.  Follow up the ongoing initiatives under the Global Observatory of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instruments (GO-SPIN), UNESCO Chair on Water Resources Sustainability, Trifinio Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve.  Provide technical advice and support to the national institutions and other stakeholders in charge of sciences, technology and innovation for policy and research. Maintain strategic partnerships with other United Nations Agencies. Contribute to the formulation of the Office resource mobilisation strategy and its biennial implementation plans. Prepare and submit quarterly/yearly work plans of regular budget programmes and extrabudgetary projects including the establishment of corresponding budgets, monitoring of the budgetary and financial status of the projects and decentralized budgets while ensuring financial accountability.  Ensure appropriate implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Natural Sciences Programme is decentralized to the Office and provide timely quarterly/yearly reports.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the field of Natural Sciences related disciplines (Environment, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Basic Sciences and Science Policy) or a first-level of university degree in combination with 2 (two) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Preferably (2) two years of relevant professional experience the field of natural sciences such as Environment/Water Resources and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). Experience in coordination and programme management, designing and implementing programmes/projects.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Good programme, project management and analytical skills. Excellent organizational and coordination skills. Ability to work in a multicultural environment including excellent interpersonal skills.  Ability to build, maintain and enhance working relations with national/local authorities as well as key stakeholders in the civil society, such as national and international non-governmental organizations. Ability to communicate with various stakeholders, within and outside the organization and through various channels including the web and social media. Proficiency in IT skills.

LANGUAGE

Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in the relevant field of natural sciences related disciplines such as environment / water / ecological science.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Experience within the government or 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 fundraising and mobilisation of financial resources. Experience in promoting regional cooperation among the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Region. Knowledge of the geopolitical context of the LAC Region.

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, professional organization. Good knowledge of UNESCO's work and programmes around Natural Sciences is an asset.

LANGUAGE

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

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 42 202 US $.

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