Project Appointment in Natural Sciences

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization aims to foster dialogue among civilizations, cultures, and peoples, based on respect for commonly shared values. UNESCO's work is guided by its core values of commitment, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism.

Job Overview:
The position of Project Appointment in Natural Sciences at UNESCO is pivotal for the development, fundraising, and delivery of initiatives that support the implementation of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. The incumbent will work under the authority of the director-general" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences and will be responsible for coordinating the global roll-out of the strategic action plan, which spans from 2026 to 203

• This role requires the incumbent to engage with various stakeholders, including key partners and donors, particularly the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to foster relationships that will facilitate the design and execution of new projects. The position also involves contributing to the section's fundraising efforts by drafting project proposals and maintaining communication with existing and potential contributors. The incumbent will play a crucial role in supporting Member States and MAB national committees in implementing the strategic action plan, ensuring the effective management of biosphere reserves, and contributing to the production of high-quality data and methodologies that support the MAB programme.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Appointment in Natural Sciences include coordinating the global implementation of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan, engaging with the host country of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, and contributing to the section's fundraising efforts. The incumbent will be responsible for developing new project proposals, maintaining relationships with multilateral financing mechanisms, and coordinating the MAB Secretariat’s engagement with biodiversity partners. Additionally, the incumbent will assist Member States and MAB committees in implementing the strategic action plan, contribute to the maintenance of MAB databases, and support the production of guidelines and technical products. The role also involves planning and executing key statutory meetings related to the MAB programme, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, and producing high-quality reports and papers on scientific and strategic issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in ecological and/or environmental sciences or a related field within the natural sciences. A minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in Environmental Sciences is required, with at least two years of experience at the international level. Proven experience in project formulation, implementation, and evaluation, as well as in proposal writing and resource mobilization, is essential. Candidates should also have experience in organizing training sessions and international workshops focused on ecological processes and environmental sciences.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in ecological and/or environmental sciences or a related field. A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in environmental sciences with a major in ecology is desirable and would enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in Environmental Sciences, with a preference for candidates who have acquired at least two years of this experience at the international level. Candidates should demonstrate proven experience in international scientific project formulation, implementation, and evaluation, as well as in proposal writing and resource mobilization.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, and a working knowledge of French. Knowledge of Chinese or another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Russian, or Spanish) is considered desirable and would be an asset for the position.

Additional Notes:
This position is a project appointment with a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The role is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 110,583 USD, and UNESCO offers a range of benefits including 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The selection process will involve an online application, and candidates will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the vacancy notice. 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.