National Officer (NOC) Natural Sciences

The incumbent will support the implementation of UNESCO's programmes and activities in Sciences in the Santiago Regional Office, focusing on ecological earth sciences, water sciences, science policy, capacity building, local and indigenous knowledge systems, and disaster risk reduction. The role involves assisting member states in implementing development plans and contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of the programme and activities related to UNESCO's Sciences Sector funded under Regular and Extra Budgetary resources; and build human and institutional capacities for the region's different Science programme activities.
• Monitor implementation of UNESCO's programme activities to advance and apply sciences in the member states within the region.
• Maintain close contacts with the concerned regional/national/local authorities and contribute to developing national science policies.
• Maintain and ensure relations with relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations in this context.
• Support developing and implementing science-related programmes and activities in partnership with the Member States within the UNESCO Santiago Region.
• Interact with Programme Specialists within UNESCO, donors, NGOs, the National Commissions and UNCTs, Natural Sciences related Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, tertiary education as well as research and development (R&D) institutions in the region regularly for programme, project and joint administrative matters.
• Identify, design and implement extrabudgetary projects to reinforce the Office's Regular Programme activities and contribute to resource mobilisation in support of interdisciplinary programme activities in Sciences to implement national, regional and global strategies for sustainable development in the UNESCO Santiago Office mobilising funding for global initiatives from HQs.
• Assist in joint programming and Delivery as One exercise within the framework of the UN Reform such as Common Country Assessment (CCA), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), and Regional OIBC.
• Contribute in the preparation of inputs for the Programme and Budget documents (C/5) and related work plans and contribute to the Director-General's report on organisational activities (C/3) and the Medium-Term Strategy document (C/4).

Requirements

• Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) in Natural Science or related field (Environment, Ecology, Hydrology, Earth Sciences and Basic Sciences) and Engineering.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in project and programme implementation.
• A minimum of four years (4) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of Natural Science, of which preferably two years acquired at international level.
• Experience in planning, designing, managing, implementing and evaluating programmes and projects relevant to UNESCO’s mandate.
• Experience in fund-raising and other resource mobilisation mechanisms and building strategic partnerships.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbally and in writing).
• Ability to build and maintain working relations with national/local authorities, institutions and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Proven resource mobilisation skills.
• Discretion and maturity of judgement.
• Good knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.).
• Good analytical, organisational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of Results-Based Management tools.
• Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written) and native knowledge of Spanish.
• Desirable: PhD in Natural Sciences, engineering or a related field.
• Desirable: Experience in the organisation and coordination of international workshops, meetings and events.
• Desirable: Experience working within government or experience with specialised agencies of the UN system and/or professional NGOs and/or organisations for international technical cooperation.
• Desirable: Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks.
• Desirable: Experience in promoting South-South cooperation.
• Desirable: Experience in working with indigenous communities.
• Desirable: Prior work experience in Latin America.
• Desirable: Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Desirable: Good knowledge and understanding of the UNESCO Sciences Programmes.
• Desirable: Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese.

Skills

• Natural Sciences
• Project Implementation
• Programme Management
• Fundraising
• Resource Mobilization
• Strategic Partnerships
• Interpersonal Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Multicultural Relations
• Office Applications
• Analytical Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Project Management
• Result-Based Management
• Workshop Coordination
• International Cooperation
• Network Building
• South-South Cooperation
• Indigenous Engagement
• Science Policy

Languages

English, Spanish