Project Appointment - Financial Management and Reporting

Job Posting Organization:
The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) was founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam. It is located in Trieste, Italy, and has a mission to provide scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills necessary for long and productive careers. Over the past 50 years, ICTP has played a significant role in combating the scientific brain drain from the developing world and has been a driving force behind global efforts to enhance scientific expertise in these regions. The organization is dedicated to fostering international collaboration and knowledge sharing among scientists, thereby contributing to the advancement of science and technology in developing countries.

Job Overview:
The position involves working closely with the ACCLIMATISE Project Scientific Principal Investigator to manage financial aspects of the project. The incumbent will serve as the primary interface with ICTP’s administrative and finance offices, ensuring that all financial transactions and procurement processes comply with UNESCO’s financial regulations. The role requires monitoring project budgets, tracking expenditures, and preparing financial reports for both ICTP and the funding agency, The Wellcome Trust. The incumbent will also act as a liaison with the funding agency, ensuring timely and accurate submission of all required reports. Additionally, the role includes coordinating with project partners, organizing meetings and events, managing hackathons, and maintaining the project website. This position is crucial for the successful execution of the ACCLIMATISE project, which aims to enhance scientific collaboration and research in climate science.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Financial Management and Reporting: Serve as the primary interface with ICTP’s administrative and finance offices to ensure efficient handling of all financial transactions and procurement processes in compliance with UNESCO’s financial rules. Monitor project budgets, track expenditures, and prepare financial reports for ICTP and the funding agency. Ensure timely submission of all financial statements and reports required by UNESCO auditing procedures.
• Funding Agency Liaison: Act as the key point of contact with The Wellcome Trust for all administrative and reporting matters. Prepare and submit all financial and scientific reports required by The Wellcome Trust accurately and on time, adhering to their specific guidelines.
• Project Partner Coordination: Liaise regularly with the seven project partners to ensure timely submission of their financial and scientific reports to ICTP. Follow up on outstanding reports or queries from partners and maintain effective communication channels.
• Meeting and Event Organization: Organize regular online meetings and plan project meetings at ICTP and in Africa, including logistical arrangements, travel, and accommodation.
• Hackathon Management: Organize and facilitate annual in-house hackathons for junior researchers, including logistical planning and event execution.
• Project Website Development and Maintenance: Design and maintain the ACCLIMATISE project website, implementing features for interactive interrogation of project results after receiving training in website design and management.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Completed secondary, technical, and/or vocational school.
• Work Experience: At least five years of experience in science administration or project management support.
• Skills/Competencies: High-level problem-solving skills, strong communication skills, ability to work collaboratively, excellent organizational skills, strong sense of accountability, commitment to high-quality service, and proficiency in standard office software.

Educational Background:
While a completed secondary, technical, or vocational school education is required, a university degree in administration, science, or a related field is considered an asset for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in science administration or project management support. Experience in a scientific organization or educational institute, as well as active scientific research, is highly desirable. Familiarity with website content management systems is also beneficial.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Good knowledge of French is considered a desirable qualification, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse teams.

Additional Notes:
This position is a project appointment with a duration of one year. It is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 43,792 Euros, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.